Here are the guitar chords to Somewhere Over the Rainbow, as performed by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.

It is in key of G, and will require a capo on the 5th fret. I’ve placed the chords over the lyrics so you can get the phrasing down.

  • G
  • D
  • Em
  • C
  • Em7
  • B7

And here are the guitar chord charts:

G chord

G Chord

D chord

D Chord

Em chord

Em Chord

C chord

C Chord

Em7 chord

Em7 Chord

B7 chord

B7 Chord
And if you’re looking for a fun and easy way to remember these and 25+ other essential chords, check out our free guitar chord flashcards.
The strum pattern to Somewhere Over the Rainbow can be a down, down, up, down, up, but feel free to change it up to suit the melody. This is a great song to have under your belt as a player, enjoy!

 




Intro


G       D      C      G
Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo…
C       B7    Em   C
Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo…


Chorus


G                    D                              C           G
Somewhere over the rainbow, Way up high


C               G                                   D              Em      C
There’s a land that I heard of, Once in a lullaby


G                   D                              C              G
somewhere over the rainbow. Skies are blue


C             G                                          D                    Em           C
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true


 


Verse


G
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
D                                  Em                       C
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
G
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
D
High above the chimney tops
Em                 C
That’s where you’ll find me


Chorus


G                   D
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow
C                 G
Blue birds fly
C              G
Birds fly over the rainbow
D                       Em           C
Why then, oh why can’t I…


Verse


G
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
D                                 Em                       C
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
             G
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
D
High above the chimney tops
Em                                C
   That’s where you’ll find me


Chorus


          G                   D
Ohh, somewhere over the rainbow
C            G
Way up high
               C                           G
And the dream that you dare to
D            Em             C
Why oh why can’t I…


Outro


G         D        C         G
Oooo, oooo, oooo, oooo…
C         B7      Em      C        G
Oooo, oooo, oooo, oooo…


 


For educational purposes only. The materials on this page represent the author’s own work and his creative interpretation of the song shown. It is intended for private study, scholarship or research only.