We (G)came on the Sloop John B.,
my grand fa ther and me.
’Round Nas sau town
we did (D)roam.
(D7)Drink in’ all (G)night,
had man y a (C)fight.
I (G)feel so broke up, I wan na go (G)home.
So hoist up the John B.
sails,
and clean up the John B.
rails.
Oh, cap tain, please come a board and sail me back (D7)home.
The sloop, the John (G)B.
can trav el the (C)sea,
next (G)time with out me.
I (D7)wan na go (G)home.
The (G)first mate, he got so drunk,
he broke o pen my trunk.
Poor sea sick me
on the (D)foam.
(D7)O ceans are (G)grand,
but give me the (C)land.
I (G)feel so broke up, I wan na go (G)home.
So hoist up the John B.
sails,
and clean up the John B.
rails.
Oh, cap tain, please come a board and sail me back (D7)home.
The sloop, the John (G)B.
can trav el the (C)sea,
next (G)time with out me.
I (D7)wan na go (G)home.
Sloop John B. by Barry McGuire
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Easy piano arrangement in the key of G at 110 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.
Learn how to accompany it· the chords and what each hand plays, on Super Simple Chords ↗About “Sloop John B.”
- What key is "Sloop John B." in?
- "Sloop John B." by Barry McGuire is in the key of G with a tempo of 110 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
- Is "Sloop John B." easy to play on piano?
- Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
- Can I play "Sloop John B." without reading sheet music?
- Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
- What chords are used in "Sloop John B."?
- This arrangement of "Sloop John B." uses 7 chords: C, C6, Cm, D, D7, G, G7.
- How long does it take to learn "Sloop John B." on piano?
- 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
- What other songs by Barry McGuire can I play here?
- Try "EVE OF DESTRUCTION". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.