Over The Rainbow chords

by Ella Fitzgerald

Song Key: Ab Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: Played Freely


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Advanced 🔴

Guitar Chords in G Major: G, G6, G7, Gmaj7, Gm, Gdim7, G#dim7, A7, Am, Am6, Am7, Bm, Bm7, C, C/G, C7, Cmaj7, C6, Cm6, D7, Daug, Em, Em/G, Edim7

Capo: 1st fret (to play along with the video in Ab Major)

Chord Chart Legend
G Major G6 G7 Gmaj7 Gm Gdim7 A7 Am Am7 Am6 G#dim7 Em Bm Bm7 D7 Daug Em Em/G Edim7 C Major C/G C7 Cmaj7 C6 Cm6
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
G Major-LH G6-LH G7-LH Gmaj7-LH Gm-LH Gdim7-LH A7 Am-LH Am7-LH Am6-LH G#dim7-LH Em-LH Bm-LH Bm7-LH D7-LH Daug-LH Em-LH Em/G-LH Edim7-LH C Major-LH C/G-LH C7-LH Cmaj7-LH C6-LH Cm6-LH

Over The Rainbow

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
             G     C/G     Em/G     D7
Intro: 4/4 ‖     |       |        |      ‖

  G                        C
1. When all the world is a hope-less jumble,
           Gmaj7                     Am7      D7
   And the rain-drops tumble all a-| round -     |
   G     G#dim7   Am7           Adim7    G      Am7     D7
   Hea - ven      o - pens  a   mag - ic lane |      -      |

  G                            C   
2. When all the clouds dark-en up the sky-way,
             Gmaj7                       F#m7     B7
   There's a rain - bow high-way to be | found -     |
   Em        C7        A7      Am7   
   Lead-ing  from your win-dow pane.
  G                       Am7
   To a place be-hind the sun,
  G               Gdim7    Am7      D7
   Just a step be-yond the rai  - | ain |

        G    Em    Bm             G7
Chorus: Some-where o-ver the rain-bow
        C       Cmaj7  C7     Bm7  G  Bm7  G#dim7
      | Way  /  up         |  high                |
        C6       Cm6  G           G#dim7
        There's  a    land that I heard of,
        A7        Am    D7     G       Am7  D7  
        Once in a lul - la - | bye. /           |
        G    Em    Bm             G7
        Some-where o-ver the rain-bow,
        C          Cmaj7  C7     Bm7  G  Bm7  G#dim7
      | Skies  /   are        |  blue                 |
        C6  Cm6  G               G#dim7   A7
        And the  dreams that you dare to  dream,
                 Am  D7    G
        Real-ly  do  come  true.

             G
Bridge: Some-day I'll wish upon a star,
            Am7                          D7     G6     D  C  G  D7
        And wake up where the clouds are far be-hind | me.     (Where)|
              G
        Where troub-les melt like le-mon drops,
            Edim7
        A - way a-bove the chim-ney tops,
                 Am6      Gm    Edim7     Am7    Daug
        That's | where /  you'll       |  find - me.  |

        G    Em    Bm             G7
Chorus: Some-where o-ver the rain-bow, 
        C       Cmaj7  C7     Bm7  G  Bm7  G#dim7
     |  Blue /  birds      |  fly                  |
        C6    Cm6  G         G#dim7
        Birds fly  o-ver the rain-bow,
        A7           Am  D7      G     D7
        Why then, oh why can't | I  -     |


Instr: Repeat Chorus 

             G
Bridge: Some-day I'll wish upon a star,
            Am7                          D7     G6     D  C  G  D7
        And wake up where the clouds are far be-hind | me      (Where)|
              G
        Where troub-les melt like le-mon drops,
            Edim7
        A - way a-bove the chim-ney tops,
                 Am6     Gm     Edim7     Am7     Daug
        That's | where / you'll        |  find -  me   |

        G    Em    Bm             G7
Chorus: Some-where o-ver the rain-bow, 
        C       Cmaj7  C7     Bm7  G  Bm7  G#dim7
      | Blue /  birds      |  fly                 |
        C6    Cm6  G         G#dim7
        Birds fly  o-ver the rain-bow,
        A7           Am  D7    G
        Why, then oh why can't I?

           G
Bridge: If hap-py lit-tle blue-birds fly
           Am7
        Be-yond the rain-bow
               D7        G6
        Why oh why can't I...

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: Ab Major - 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)
  • Chord Set in Ab Major: Ab, Ab6, Ab7, Abmaj7, Abm, Abdim7, Adim7, Bb7, Bbm, Bbm6, Bbm7, Cm, Cm7, Db, Db/Ab, Db7, Dbmaj7, Db6, Dbm6, Eb7, Ebaug, Fm, Fm/Ab, Fdim7
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Slowly
  • Metronome: ♩ = 66
  • Voice Range: C4 - F5
  • Please Note: The version by Ella includes the entire song. Most versions start at the chorus and omit the first 2 verses. The chords have been kept on the beat as much as possible, as this type of song lends itself to a great deal of expressive freedom.
Why this song is Considered Advanced Level 🎶

This arrangement includes a wide range of chords—major, minor, diminished, augmented, slash chords, and extended voicings like Gmaj7 or C6. Many of these are less common in beginner-level songs and require familiarity with more complex fingerings.

As well as that, the chord changes come quickly, which means you'll need to move between shapes smoothly and confidently to keep up with the rhythm. It’s a beautiful and rewarding piece to play, but it definitely challenges your chord vocabulary, timing, and muscle memory—making it a solid choice for advanced players. 💪🎸

Song Details:

Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
  • Composer: Harold Arlen
  • Lyricist: E.Y. Harburg
  • Date: The song was written in 1938 and published in 1939 for the movie, The Wizard of Oz - sung by actress, Judy Garland.
  • Lyrics Begin: When all the world is a hopeless jumble,
  • Genre: Ballad
  • Featured Artist: Ella Fitzgerald
  • Album: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book
    Recorded: August 1, 1960 – January 14, 1961
    Released: 1961
  • Notable Covers: Israel "IZ" KamakawiwoÊ»ole and Eva Cassidy
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