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Ben E. King - Stand By Me Ukulele Chords

ChordsG, Em, C, D
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

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

  • Ukulele G chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-3-2Ukulele G chord diagram
  • Ukulele Em chord diagram Fingering: 0-4-3-2Ukulele Em chord diagram
  • Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram
  • Ukulele D chord diagram Fingering: 2-2-2-0Ukulele D chord diagram


[G] [G] [Em] [Em]
[C] [D] [G] [G]


When the night [G] has come [G] [Em] and the land is dark[Em]
And the mo- [C]on is the on- [D]ly light we'll [G]see [G]
No, I wo - [G]n't be af- [G]raid, no, I [Em]won't be af[Em]raid
Just as [C]long as you st-[D]and, stand by [G]me So [G]darlin', darlin'


[G]Stand by me,[G] oh, [Em]stand by [Em]me
Oh, [C]stand, [D] stand by me,[G] stand by me [G]


If the sky [G] that we look up[G]on [Em] should tumble and [Em]fall
Or the mount-[C]ains should [D]crumble to the [G]sea [G]
I won't cry, [G] I won't cry,[G] no, I [Em]won't shed a [Em]tear
Just as long [C] as you stand,[D] stand by [G]me And [G]darling, darling


[G]Stand by me,[G] oh, [Em]stand by [Em]me
Oh, [C]stand now, [D] stand by me,[G] stand by me [G]


[G] [G] [Em] [Em]
[C] [D] [G] [G]
[G] [G] [Em] [Em]
[C] [D] [G] [G]Darling, darling


[G]Stand by me,[G] oh, [Em]stand by [Em]me
Oh, [C]stand now, stand [D]by me, stand [G]by me
When[G]ever you're in trouble won't you
[G]Stand by me,[G] oh, [Em]stand by [Em]me
Oh, [C]stand now, oh, [D]stand, stand by[G] me


(fade out)

AlbumSingle
Year1996
KeyA
DifficultyEasy

How to play Stand By Me on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Ben E. King - Stand By Me on ukulele requires 4 chords and 4 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.

Stand By Me uses these transitions most often: C → D (11), D → G (11), and Em → C (11). 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 G - Em chord transition.

1. G → Em chord transition

To move from G to Em;

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

2. Em → C chord transition

To move 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.
Em to C

3. C → D chord transition

To move from C to D;

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

4. D → G chord transition

To move from D to G;

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

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Stand By Me.

  • Stand By Me includes 44 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Stand By Me contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Stand By Me connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → Em: 9%
    After Em, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (27%), G (18%), and D (18%).
    • Em → C: 27%