Guitar/song examples/Campfire Diploma/Kumbayah my Lord

< Quick Chord Change

Kumbayah my Lord

Gospel – Text and melody: trad., arranged by Mjchael  

1. Kum-ba-[D]yah my Lord[(D]-[G)]kumba-[D]yah[D]
   Kum-ba-[D]yah my Lord[(D]-[G)]kumba-[A]yah[A]
   Kum-ba-[D]yah my Lord[(D]-[G)]kumba-[D]yah}
   [(D]- [G)]Oh [D]Lord [(Em]- [A⁽⁷⁾)]Kumba [D]yah [D]
   
   
2. Someone’s[D]laughing, Lord[(]-[G)]kumba-[D]yah..
3. Someone’s[D]crying, Lord[(]-[G)]kumba-[D]yah...
4. Someone’s[D]praying, Lord -[G]kumba-[D]yah...
5. Someone’s[D]singing, Lord -[G]kumba-[D]yah...

Rhythm problems

The first chord change occurs in the middle of the bar without a chord change at the beginning of the bar. This is a particular difficulty for beginners. Normally you do not notate a chord again if there has been no change of fingering beforehand. It is also unusual for normal songbooks to indicate a quick chord change with brackets. You need some playing experience in order not to be surprised by such a quick chord change. So you need to remember everything you have learned about the quick chord change in order to play a chord for 1½ bars and then only change to the next chord in the second half of the bar.

• You start with an upbeat.
• Then you play the D major chord for a whole bar.
• Then you play the D for another half bar,...
• ...before switching to G in the second half of the bar.

In the course of the individual verses, less and less help is given. With some playing experience, you will later be able to hear when a fingering change is necessary.