A country track first recorded in 1939 which Johnny Cash then later covered in 1969 and it’s now the version most people think of. It has also been covered by other big names such as Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin to name just a few.
It’s a lovely tune to play, and relatively simple so it’s perfect for beginners as practice piece. I hope you enjoy playing the letter notes below 🙂
A B-^C# ^D ^D ^D B ^C# A-A
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
A B ^C# ^D ^F# ^E ^D ^C#
I dreamed I held you in my arms
A B ^C#-^D ^F# ^F# ^E ^D-^C#-A
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
A B ^C# ^C# B B ^C# A
So I bowed my head and I cried
E A B ^C#-^C# ^C# B-^C# A-A
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
A B ^C# ^D-^F# ^F# ^E ^F# ^C#
You make me happy when skies are grey
A B-^C# ^D ^F# ^F# ^E ^D ^C# A
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you
A B ^C# ^C# B – B ^C#-A
Please don’t take my sunshine away
A B-^C# ^D ^D ^D B ^C# A-E
I’ll always love you and make you happy
A B – ^C# ^D ^F# ^E ^F#-^C#
And nothing else could come between
A B ^C# ^D ^F# ^F# ^E ^D-^C#-A
But if you leave me to love another
A B ^C#-^C# ^C# B E B – A
You have shattered all of my dreams
E A B ^C#-^C# ^C# B-^C# A-A
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
A B ^C# ^D-^F# ^F# ^E ^F# ^C#
You make me happy when skies are grey
A B-^C# ^D ^F# ^F# ^E ^D ^C# A
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you
A B ^C# ^C# B – B ^C#-A
Please don’t take my sunshine away