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Donovan - Happiness Runs Ukulele Chords

ChordsC, Am, G, Em, F
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

CLittlepebble Cuponthesand
AmNowyou’relyinghere,Ginmyhand
AmHowmanyAmyearshaveAmyoubeenGhere?
CLittlehuman Cuponthesand
AmFromwhereI’mlying,hereAminyourhand
AmYoutoAmmearebutaAmpassingGbreeze
CThesunwillalways,Amshinewhereyoustand
CDependingAminwhichland,Emyoumayfindyourself
CNowyouhavemyAmblessing,goyourGwayC
FCGCFCGC
FHappinessCruns,inaGcircularCmotion
FThoughtis,likeaClittleboat, GupontheCsea
FEverybodyCisapart,ofGeverythingCanyway
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
FHappinessCruns, GhappinessCruns
FHappinessCruns, GhappinessCruns
FHappinessCruns, GhappinessCruns
FHappinessCruns, GhappinessCruns
FHappinessCruns,inaGcircularCmotion
FThoughtis,likeaClittleboat, GupontheCsea
FEverybodyCisapart,ofGeverythingCanyway
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
FWhyCOh?GBecauseFWhyCOh?GBecause
FWhyCOh?GBecauseFWhyCOh?GBecause
FHappinessCruns,inaGcircularCmotion
FThoughtis,likeaClittleboat, GupontheCsea
FEverybodyCisapart,ofGeverythingCanyway
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
(little,pebbleuponthesand)
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
(little,pebbleuponthesand)
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
(little,pebbleuponthesand)
FYoucanhave Ceverything,ifyouGletyourselfCbe
(little,pebbleuponthesand)
ArtistDonovan
AlbumBarabajagal
GenresFolk
Year1969
KeyC
DifficultyEasy

How to play Happiness Runs on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Donovan - Happiness Runs on ukulele requires 5 chords and 6 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Happiness Runs uses these transitions most often: G → C (29), C → F (26), and C → G (26). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - Am chord transition.

1. C → Am chord transition

To move from C to Am:

  1. While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
  2. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

C to Am

2. Am → G chord transition

Switching from Am to G:

  1. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Place index finger on C string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.

Am to G

3. G → C chord transition

Here's how to move from G to C:

  1. While playing G, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 29 times.

G to C

4. Am → Em chord transition

Here's how to move from Am to Em:

  1. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on C string fret 4.

This transition appears in the section.

Am to Em

5. Em → C chord transition

Switching from Em to C:

  1. While playing Em, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Lift your ring finger from C string fret 4 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section.

6. C → F chord transition

Switching from C to F:

  1. While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on E string fret 1.
  3. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the interlude, played 26 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Happiness Runs.

  • Happiness Runs includes 120 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Happiness Runs contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Happiness Runs connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → F: 16%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → Am: 13%