Oh! Susanna - E♭ major
Public domain – lyrics and melody
Purpose
This traditional song is used purely as a musical learning tool, helping you build confidence playing in a flat key (E♭ major) while practising steady chord changes with an upbeat, familiar melody.
Song Overview
Key: E♭ major
Time feel: Moderate and lively
Chord focus: Major triads, Dominant 7
Skill level: Beginner → Advanced versions available
Version 1 – Beginner
Simple major-key harmony with clear, regular chord movement.
[Verse]
Oh I [E♭]come from Alabama with my banjo on my [B♭]knee
I’m [E♭]goin’ to Louisiana, my true love [B♭]for to [E♭]see
It [E♭]rain’d all night the day I [A♭]left, the [E♭]weather it was [B♭7]dry
The [E♭]sun so hot I froze to death, Susanna [B♭7]don’t you [E♭]cry
[Chorus]
[A♭]Oh Susanna, Oh [E♭]don’t you cry for [B♭]me [B♭7]
For I [E♭]come from Alabama with my banjo [B♭]on my [E♭]knee
Practice Notes
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Keep the rhythm steady and light; aim for confident chord changes rather than speed.
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In E♭ major, use the black keys comfortably — they actually make the shapes feel secure.
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If needed, simplify the left hand to single bass notes: E♭ for [E♭], B♭ for [B♭7], A♭ for [A♭].