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Redgum - I Was Only 19 Ukulele Chords

ChordsA, C, G, D, E, F#m, Am
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to D,G keys to play this song with easier chords.

ACGDAGA
AMumandDadandCDenny
sawtheGpassingout Dparadeat APuckapunyal
ItwasaGlongmarchfrom Acadets
AThesixthbattalionwastheCnexttotour,
anditwasGmewhodrewtheDcard
Wedid ACanungra,ShoalGwaterbeforeweAleft
AndETownsvillelinedthefootpathsasweDmarcheddowntotheAquay
ThisEclippingfromthepapershowsusDyoungandstrongandAclean
AndF#mthere’smeinmeEslouchhatwithmeDSLRandAgreens
GodEhelpme,Iwasonly Dnineteen
FromAVungTau,ridingCChinooks,totheGdustatNuiDDat
I’dbeenAinandoutofGchoppersnowforAmonths
ButweAmadeourtentsaChome,VBandGpinupsontheDlockers
AndanAAsianorangeGsunsetthroughtheAscrub
AndEcanyoutellme,doctor,whyIDstillcan’tgettoAsleep?
AndEnighttime’sjustajungledarkandaDbarkingMsixAteen?
AndF#mwhat’sthisrashthatEcomesandgoes,
canyouDtellmewhatitAmeans?
GodEhelpme,IwasonlynineDteen
AAfourweeks Amoperation
wheneachGstepcouldmeanyourDlastoneontwoAlegs
ItwasGwarwithin Ayourself
Butyouwouldn’tletyourCmatesdowntiltheyAhadyoudustedDoff
SoyouAclosedyoureyesandGthoughtaboutsomethingAelse
ThenEsomeoneyelledout“Contact!”andtheDblokebehindmeAswore
WeEhookedinthereforhours,thenaDgodallmightyAroar
F#mFrankiekickedaEminethedaythatmanDkindkickedtheAmoon
GodEhelpme,hewasgoinghomeinDJune
AIcanstillseeCFrankie,drinkingGtinniesintheDGrandHotel
OnaAthirtysixhourGrecleaveinVungATau
AndAIcanstillhearCFrankie,lyingGscreamingintheDjungle
TiltheAmorphinecameandGkilledthebloodyArow
AndtheEAnzaclegendsdidn’tmentionDmudandbloodandAtears
AndtheEstoriesthatmyfathertoldmeDneverseemedquiteAreal
IF#maughtsomepiecesEinmybackthatIDdidn’tevenAfeel
GodEhelpme,IwasonlyDnineteen
AndEcanyoutellme,doctor,whyIDstillcan’tgetto Aisleep?
AndEwhytheChannelSevenchopperDchillsmetomyAfeet?
AndF#mwhat’sthisrashthatEcomesandgoes,canyouDtellmewhatitAmeans?
GodEhelpme,Iwasonly Dnineteen
ACGDAGA
ArtistRedgum
AlbumCaught in the Act
Year1983
KeyA
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play I Was Only 19 on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Redgum - I Was Only 19 on ukulele requires 7 chords and 11 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.

I Was Only 19 uses these transitions most often: D → A (29), E → D (20), and A → E (14). 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 A - C chord transition.

1. A → C chord transition

Switching from A to C:

  1. While playing A, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Place ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 9 times.

A to C

2. C → G chord transition

Switching from C to G:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 9 times.

C to G

3. G → D chord transition

Here's how to move from G to D:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 9 times.

G to D

4. D → A chord transition

Here's how to move from D to A:

  1. While playing D, lift your ring finger from E string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 29 times.

D to A

5. A → G chord transition

Here's how to move from A to G:

  1. Slide your index finger on C string from fret 1 to fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 10 times.

6. A → E chord transition

To move from A to E:

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 4.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 14 times.

7. E → D chord transition

To move from E to D:

  1. Slide your index finger on G string from fret 4 to fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to C string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 20 times.

8. A → F#m chord transition

To move from A to F#m:

  1. Keep index finger on C string fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

9. F#m → E chord transition

Switching from F#m to E:

  1. While playing F#m, lift your ring finger from E string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from C string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 4.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

10. A → Am chord transition

To move from A to Am:

  1. While playing A, lift your index finger from C string fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section.

11. Am → C chord transition

Here's how to move from Am to C:

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

This transition appears in the section.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in I Was Only 19.

  • I Was Only 19 includes 125 chord transitions, 11 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • I Was Only 19 contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how I Was Only 19 connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After A, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
    • A → D: 29%
    • A → G: 13%
    After D, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (28%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
    • D → A: 17%
    • D → E: 3%