Johnny Cash - Old Shep: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Old Shep" on your guitar with our detailed chord guide and lyrics. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

Learn Old Shep Guitar Chords and Lyrics by Johnny Cash

This section will guide you through each part of the song, providing the guitar chords placed directly above the lyrics for easy playing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, these elements will help you perform "Old Shep" smoothly on your guitar.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

G#           Fm           A#
When I was a lad and Old Shep was a pup
      D#                     G#
Over hills and meadows we'd play
                    Fm           A#           A#7
Just a boy and his dog, we were both full of fun
    D#                   G#
we grew up together that way

Chorus:
     C#                    G#
I remember the time at the old swimming hole
                                  D#7
When I would have drowned beyond doubt
         G#             Fm           A#        A#7
But Old Shep was right there to the rescue he came
    D#                          G#
He jumped in and helped pull me out

Now the years they roll by and Old Shep he grew old
His eyesight at last it grew dim
Then one day the doctor looked at me and said:
"I can do no more for him Jim"

Chorus:
With a hand that was tremblin' I picked up my gun
And aimed it at Shep's faithful head
But I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run
I wish they would shoot me instead

Now Old Shep has gone where the good doggies go
And no more on this earth will he roam
But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know
Old Shep! has a wonderful home


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

A#

Guitar chord A#

A#7

Guitar chord A#7

C#

Guitar chord C#

D#

Guitar chord D#

D#7

Guitar chord D#7

Fm

Guitar chord Fm

G#

Guitar chord G#

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Old Shep" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Old Shep" by Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash Song List