You Are My Sunshine is the quintessential American folk song. Equal parts sweet & sour.

The chorus is heard worldwide throughout schoolhouses & churches… “you make me happy when skies are grey”.

The other verses tell a different story… “but if you leave me and love another, you’ll regret it all someday”.

This song reminds us that times have always been crazy – “You Are My Sunshine” was popularized by country singer Jimmie Davis when he ran for the governor of Louisiana (and won).

For those looking to play on acoustic guitar, here’s how I play it:

Key of D

D – G – D – G – D – A7 – D

[D] You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me [G] happy when skies are [D] grey
You’ll never [G] know dear, how much I [D] love you
Please don’t take my [A7] sunshine [D] away

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and I cried.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away

I’ll always love you and make you happy,
If you will only say the same.
But if you leave me and love another,
You’ll regret it all some day

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away

Check out my take on Twinkle, Twinkle little star for lyrics & chords of another ‘not for kids only’ track.