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John Prine - That’s The Way The World Goes Round Ukulele Chords

ChordsF, F7, Bb, C, C7
Strumming↓-↓↑

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

FF7BbFCC7F
FWell,Iknowaguywho’sgotalottolose,
he’saBbprettynicefella,kindaconfused,
He’sgotFmusclesinhishead,neverbeenused,
thinksheownshalfofthisCtown.C7
FStartsdrinkin’heavy,gotabigrednose,
Bbbeatshisoldladywitharubberhose,
ThenheFtakesherouttodinner,buyshernewclothes,
that’sthewaytheC7worldgoesFround
FThat’sthewaytheworldgoesF7round,
you’reBbuponeday,thenextyou’redown,
It’sFhalfaninchofwater,butyouthinkyou’regonnadrown
that’sthewaytheC7worldgoesFround.
FSittin’inmybathtub,countin’myF7toes
whentheBbradiatorbroke,thewaterallfroze
IgotFstuckintheicewithoutmyclothes
nakedastheeyesofaCclown.C7
IwasFcryin’icecubes,hopin’I’dcroak,
whentheBbsuncamethroughthewindow,theiceallbroke,
FIstoodupandlaughed,thoughtitwasajoke,
that’sthewaytheC7worldgoesF’round.
FThat’sthewaytheworldgoesF7round,
you’reBbuponeday,thenextyou’redown,
It’sFhalfaninchofwater,butyouthinkyou’regonnadrown
that’sthewaytheC7worldgoesFround.
FF7BbFCC7FF7BbFC7F
FThat’sthewaytheworldgoesF7round,
you’reBbuponeday,thenextyou’redown,
It’sFhalfaninchofwater,butyouthinkyou’regonnadrown
that’sthewaytheC7worldgoesFround.
That’sthewaytheC7worldgoesF’round.
That’sthewaytheC7worldgoesF’round.
FF7BbFC7F
AlbumBruised Orange
GenresFolk
Year1978
KeyF
DifficultyEasy

How to play That's The Way The World Goes Round on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

John Prine - That's The Way The World Goes Round 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.

That's The Way The World Goes Round uses these transitions most often: C7 → F (13), Bb → F (11), and F → C7 (9). 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 F - F7 chord transition.

1. F → F7 chord transition

Here's how to move from F to F7:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 8 times.

F to F7

2. F7 → Bb chord transition

Switching from F7 to Bb:

  1. While playing F7, lift your pinky from A string fret 3.
  2. Keep index finger on E string fret 1.
  3. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 2.
  4. Slide your ring finger from C string fret 3 to G string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 8 times.

F7 to Bb

3. Bb → F chord transition

Here's how to move from Bb to F:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 11 times.

Bb to F

4. F → C chord transition

To move from F to C:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.

F to C

5. C → C7 chord transition

Here's how to move from C to C7:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.

6. C7 → F chord transition

Here's how to move from C7 to F:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 13 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in That's The Way The World Goes Round.

  • That's The Way The World Goes Round includes 60 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • That's The Way The World Goes Round contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how That's The Way The World Goes Round connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After F, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
    • F → C: 40%
    • F → Bb: 5%
    After C7, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are F (62%), C (4%), and Gm (4%).
    • C7 → F: 62%