Master Southern Cross Guitar Chords: Your Step-by-Step Guide

“Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash (or sometimes misattributed to Christopher Cross), is a timeless classic beloved by guitar players for its smooth melody and relatable themes of journey and self-discovery. If you’re looking to learn how to play this iconic song on guitar, you’ve come to the right place. This guide breaks down the Southern Cross Guitar Chords in an easy-to-follow format, perfect for guitarists of all levels wanting to add this song to their repertoire.

Decoding the Southern Cross Chords

The beauty of “Southern Cross” lies in its relatively straightforward chord progression, making it an excellent choice for intermediate players while still offering a satisfying play-along for beginners. The song primarily revolves around a comfortable chord sequence in the key of A, utilizing common guitar chords that are foundational to many popular songs. Let’s dive into the chord structure section by section.

Intro Chords

The song opens with a memorable and inviting intro that sets the tone. These are the chords you’ll need to start playing:

|A G| D |A G| |D A|

This sequence is repeated and immediately recognizable. The movement between A, G, and D creates a gentle, rolling feel that evokes the imagery of sailing.

Verse Chords

The verses of “Southern Cross” maintain a similar chord pattern, creating a consistent and easy-to-remember structure. Here’s how the verse chords are laid out with the lyrics to guide you:

**|A G| D** Got outta town on a boat for the southern islands
**|A G | |D A|** Sailing a reach before a following sea
**|A G| D** She was making for the trades on the outside
**|A G| |D A|** And the downhill run to Papeete Bay

**|A G| D** Off this wind on this heading lie the Marqueses
**| A G| |D A|** We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way
**|A G| D** In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
**|A G| |D G A - |** But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away

Notice the slight variation at the end of the second verse line, moving to G and A before returning to the verse progression. This adds a touch of harmonic interest without complicating the overall structure.

Pre-Chorus Chords

The pre-chorus builds a bit of anticipation leading into the chorus, both lyrically and musically. The chord structure becomes slightly different here:

**A (2/4)** Think about **| G D | |G A|**  Think about how many times I have fallen
**| G D| | G A|** Spirits are using me, larger voices calling **|G D| |G A| A** What heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

The pre-chorus uses a shorter A chord at the beginning (2/4 time), and then moves through a G-D-G-A progression that creates a sense of rising intensity.

Chorus Chords

The chorus is the most anthemic part of the song and delivers the core message. The southern cross guitar chords in the chorus are powerful and memorable:

**A(2/4) |D G| A** I have been around the world
**|D G | A** Looking for that woman girl
**|D G| A** Who knows love can endure
**|A G| D |A G| |D A|** And you know it will

The chorus repeats the D-G-A sequence three times, creating a strong and rhythmic hook. The final line returns to the intro/verse progression, providing a sense of resolution before returning to the next verse.

Bridge/Instrumental and Outro Chords

The song features instrumental breaks and an outro section that use variations of the main chord progression, keeping the familiar feel while adding dynamic variation. The bridge section introduces a slight change:

**|A G | D | A G | D A| |A G | D | A G | D A|**

And the outro section and final verse maintain the core progression with a slight change at the very end:

**Verse:  |A G| D** So we cheated and we lied and we tested
**|A G| |D A|** And we never failed to fail, it was the easiest thing to do
**|A G| D** You will survive being bested
**|A G| (2/4) |D Bm| A** Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you
**|A G| D |A G| D** In the Southern Cross.

The inclusion of the Bm chord adds a touch of melancholy and finality to the song’s conclusion.

Tips for Playing Southern Cross on Guitar

• Strumming Pattern: A simple and effective strumming pattern for “Southern Cross” is down-down-up-down-up. Experiment with variations to find what feels natural to you.
• Chord Transitions: Focus on smooth transitions between the A, G, and D chords. Practice these chord changes slowly at first, gradually increasing your speed as you become more comfortable.
• Dynamics: Pay attention to the dynamics of the song. The verses are generally softer, while the chorus is more powerful. Use your strumming intensity to reflect these changes.
• Listen to the Original: The best way to learn the feel of “Southern Cross” is to listen to the original recording closely and play along. Pay attention to the nuances of the guitar part and try to emulate them.

Conclusion: Set Sail with Southern Cross Chords

Learning southern cross guitar chords is a rewarding experience for any guitarist. This song is not only a joy to play but also a fantastic addition to your songbook. With its memorable melody and relatively accessible chord progression, you’ll be able to impress yourself and others in no time. So grab your guitar, work through these chords, and set sail on your musical journey with “Southern Cross”!