If you want to learn a great song. One that is easy to play and has a fun rhythm. Then your in the right place with this Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord guitar lesson. See what is going to be covered.
Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord Guitar Lesson:
- Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord Chords
- How to play the chords to Why Me Lord
- Chord Progression for Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord
- Learn how to play why me lord by kris Kristofferson on guitar
- Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord PDF
- Why Me Lord Lyrics
- Bonus – Why Me Lord Guitar Lesson
- About the Song Why Me
If your ready to learn how to play Why me Lord on guitar. Then grab your guitar and let me show you how.
Why Me Lord Guitar Lesson
How to Play Why Me Lord by Kris Kristofferson on Guitar
This is a great song by Kris Kristofferson. And in this guitar lesson I want to give you all the information you need to play this song. This lesson is for the beginner guitar player and all guitar players. So if there is a part of the lesson that you already have under your belt go to the next part. So let’s get started with how to play why me lord.
Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord Chords
First we need to know what chords are in the song. And there are three easy chords. Which are G C and D. If you need help reading a chord chart take a look at this quick reference How to read Chord Charts. Then take a look at the diagrams below.



Placing Your Fingers to Play the G Major Chord
- Place Your first finger at the second fret of the A string. Which is the 5th string.
- Put your second finger at the third fret on the E string. The 6th string.
- Your third finger is at the third fret. On the B string. (2nd string)
- Then place your pinkie on the third fret of the high E string. The 1st string.
- When strumming the G chord you can play all the strings.
An Easier way to play the G chord and how I play the G Chord is like this.
- Place your second finger on the 5th string, at the second fret.
- Third finger on the 6th string, at the third fret.
- Pinkie on the high E string, the 1st string, at the third fret.
- Strum all the strings.
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Finger Placement of the C Major Chord
- Place your first finger on the B string, at the first fret. (2nd string).
- Your second finger is on the D string. 4th string, at the second fret.
- Then your third finger is on the 5th string. At the third fret. Which is the A string.
- When Strumming the C chord. Don’t play the 6 string.
Related Article: Elvis Chords: One Night With You.
How to Place Your Fingers to Play the D Major Chord
- Place your finger on the 3rd string. The G string. At the second fret.
- Put your second finger on the 1st string. (E string). Also at the second fret.
- Then your third finger is on the 2nd string. (B string). At the third fret.
- Strum from the 4th string down. Don’t play the 5th or 6th string.
Related Article: 3 Ways to Play the D Chord on Guitar.
How to Play Why Me Lord by Kris Kristofferson on Guitar
Now that you know what chords to play. Let’s talk about the Rhythm Pattern of this song. When you are strumming. If you strum like this: D D U DU DU, you will be playing just like the song sounds. So You are going to strum down down Up Down Up Down Up. Also to play this song we need to know some of the walk ups to the chords. I will explain it a little later.
Related Article: Em chord guitar variation.

Chord Progression for Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord
In this song there is an intro 2 verses a chorus and then the outro. And here is the chord progression. You can also get the Why me PDF to help you with playing this song.
The Intro goes like this: C G D G D
Then the singing starts at the Verse: G C G D G C G D G
After that is the Chorus: C G D G C G D G D
Then Verse 2 Which is the same as the first Verse. G C G D G C G D G
Then the Chorus is played through 2 times. C G D G C G D G D And C G D G C G D G D
After that is the Outro. D D C C C C G. When you play the outro you are just strumming down on each chord.
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Related Article: George Strait Amarillo By Morning Guitar Lesson.
Spicing up with Bass Notes and Walk Ups
Since your playing by yourself you can spice things up by adding bass line notes and walk ups to chords. What I do is after the intro of the song. If you play these notes you are going to walk up to the C chord. And here is how:
Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the E string. Pick that note two times. Then play the open A string. Which is the 5th string. And then place your second finger on the second fret of the A string and pick the A string. Finally place your third finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string. And play the A string.
Then you are going to play the C chord. So make sure you have your third finger at the 3rd fret. So that you will be able to play the C chord. You can also play the Bass notes of the chord that you are playing.
For example when you are playing the D chord. The Bass D in the Chord is actually the D string. So what you want to do is play the D string open and then strum the D chord.
Related Article: Elvis Chords: One Night With You.
Walk Down to G
Also when you are going from the D chord Back up to the G chord. What you can do is walk down to the G chord. To do this you are going to pick the D string and then use your 3rd finger. And fret the 3rd fret on the A string. Play the A string.
Then fret at the 2nd fret of the A string and play the A string. Next play the open A string. and then position your hand to play the G chord.
And at the same time you are going to play the E string. Which your finger is fretted at the 3rd fret of the E string. Which is the bass note of the G chord.
These are just some simple way’s to spice things up. First learn to strum, then try spicing things up.
Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord PDF
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Listen to Why Me Lord Lyrics
Get Ready for some great singing from my friend Michael. He has graciously offered me the use of his rendition of Why Me Lord. Michael also has a YouTube Channel that after you listen to the Lyrics & vocals you might want to check his channel out. And Don’t forget to Subscribe!
Why Me Lord Lyrics
Why me Lord What have I ever done To deserve even one of the pleasures I've known Tell me Lord What did I ever do That was worth loving you For the kindness you've shown Lord Help Me Jesus I waisted it so help me Jesus I know what I am But now that I Know That I needed you so Help me Jesus My souls in your hand Try Me Lord If you think there's a way I can try to repay All I've taking from you Maybe Lord, I can show someone else What I've been through myself On my way back to you Lord Help Me Jesus I've waisted it so help me Jesus I know what I am But now that I Know That I've needed you so Help me Jesus My souls in your hand Lord Help Me Jesus I waisted it so help me Jesus I know what I am But now that I Know That I've needed you so Help me Jesus My souls in your hand Jesus my souls in your hand
Related Article: Steel String Acoustic Guitar for Beginners.
About the Song Why Me
A lot of people call the song Why Me Lord. The name of the song is Why Me it is a song from the Album Jesus Was a Capricorn by Kris Kristofferson. Which was released in 1972. Kris Kristofferson explains to Ralf Emery that the song was inspired by help me sung by Larry Gatlin in church. The song inspired Kris Kristofferson to write the song.
As he explains he was at Jimmy Snows church. Where he has a profound religious experience. And from this experience Why Me came out of the experience. Which he says was a very personal experience. Source
Kris Kristofferson then goes into detail about how the preacher asked everyone if you are lost please raise your hand. He says he doesn’t go to church a lot. And that for him to raise his hand was out of the question. He did raise his hand, and he says at that time he was hoping that nobody would see. But everyone had there heads down.
Then the preacher tells the congregation; If anyone wants to except Jesus to come down to the front. Where he was then prayed for. This encounter overtook him and he explained that this had never happened to him before.
He never does say this, but by his explanation of the events at the church. He was saved that day. Any way, the song Why me came from his experience in church. And you know what they say the rest is history.
If you enjoyed this lesson you may also like this Guitar Lesson: Everything is Cool Chords by John Prine.