Southern Man

by Neil Young
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How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Lyrics

South ern man, bet ter keep your head,

don’t for get what your Good Book said.

South ern change gon na come at last,

now your cross es are burn in’ fast,

(Dm)South ern man.

I saw cot ton and I saw (Gm)black,

tall white man sions and lit tle shacks;

South ern man, when will you pay them (Gm)back?

I heard scream in’ and bull whips crack in’.

How long, how long?

Ah!

South ern man, bet ter keep your head,

don’t for get what your Good Book said.

South ern change gon na come at last,

now your cross es are burn in’ fast,

(Dm)South ern man.

Lil y Belle, your is gold en (Gm)brown,

I’ve seen your black man com ing ’round,

swear, by God, I’m gon na cut him (Gm)down!

I heard scream in’ and bull whips crack in’.

How long, how long?

Ah!

Southern Man — Piano Lead Sheet

10 people have learned this song

"Southern Man" lead sheet with chords, melody, and lyrics. Play the melody while following chord symbols above. Perfect for sing-along or accompaniment. Key of D, 80 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “Southern Man”

Where are the chord symbols for "Southern Man" displayed?
Lead Sheet shows chord symbols (like Am, G7, C) above the melody line with lyrics below. Every chord change highlights in real time as the song plays, so you can play the melody with the right hand and follow chord shapes with the left. "Southern Man" is in D.
What key is "Southern Man" by Neil Young played in?
Southern Man is arranged in the key of D on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Southern Man"?
The arrangement plays at 80 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Southern Man" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "Southern Man"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Southern Man"?
"Southern Man" was originally performed by Neil Young. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Southern Man"?
This arrangement uses 6 chords: A, Bb, Dm, Fmaj7, G7, Gm.
What other songs by Neil Young can I play here?
Try "OLD MAN", "DOWN BY THE RIVER", "OUT ON THE WEEKEND". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Does "Southern Man" have chords and lyrics?
Yes! The Lead Sheet shows the melody with chord symbols (like Am, G, C) and full lyrics. Perfect for singing along or playing with a band. "Southern Man" is in the key of D at 80 BPM.
What chords are in "Southern Man"?
Open the Lead Sheet to see all chord symbols displayed above the melody line. The song is in the key of D, so you'll find chords common to that key. Each chord highlights in real time as the song plays.