[Verse]
A D A
I’ve held it all inward, God knows, I’ve tried,
A E A
But it’s an awful awakening in a country boy’s life,
A D A
To look in the mirror in total surprise.
A E A
At the hair on my shoulders and the age in my eyes.
[Chorus]
A D A
Amanda, light of my life.
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.
A D A
Amanda, light of my life.
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.
[Verse]
A D A
It’s a measure of people who don’t understand,
A E A
The pleasures of life in a hillbilly band.
A D A
I got my first guitar when I was fourteen,
A E A
Well I finally made forty, still wearing jeans.
[Chorus]
A D A
Amanda, light of my life.
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.
A D A
Amanda, light of my life.
A E A
Fate should have made you a gentleman’s wife.
How to play "Amanda" Chords on acoustic guitar
Welcome to this Guitar Lesson. We will learn Chris Stapleton’s live take on
the Waylon classic, often sung with Morgane. The core is three open chords,
gentle 3/4 time, and a bass-led strum. This Tutorial keeps it beginner-clean,
then adds small touches to sound authentic without overplaying.
Chris Stapleton is playing the 'Amanda' tabs / chords in the
music video.
Key: A major for this simple chord set. Capo:
no capo. Difficulty: absolute beginner. Feel:
slow 3/4 waltz; think “boom-chuck-chuck.”
Chords used
Three open chords. Keep fingers relaxed and near the frets.
A (x02220) easy anchor; keep 1st string ringing for shimmer
D (xx0232) classic grip; watch clean 1st string on the upstrum
E (022100) let the low 6th string carry the waltz bass on beat 1
Easier options: If full A is buzzy, use Asus2 (x02200). If D is
tight, try Dsus2 (xx0230). These swap in fine for a sing-along arrangement.
Strumming pattern
Waltz feel: bass on beat 1, light brushes on 2 and 3.
Beginner-safe pattern (one bar of 3/4):
Bass-down on 1, light down on 2, down-up on 3. Count:
“1 2 3-and.” Keep your wrist loose. Aim tiny accents on the lyric syllables at
the start of bars. If you prefer all downs, try: Down (1), Down (2), Down (3).
Sections breakdown
Verse progression: A | D A | A | E A |
A | D A | A | E A
Chorus progression: A | D A | A | E A |
A | D A | A | E A
Arrangement tip: Play verses softer with one strum per
beat, then widen the brush in the chorus. Keep the tempo unhurried.
How to play: step by step
Tools: acoustic guitar, pick, tuner, metronome
Supplies: none
TotalTime: about 10 minutes to get singing with clean chord changes
Tune standard (E A D G B E). No capo. Sit tall and rest picking hand over
the soundhole for a warm tone.
Learn the shapes in this order: A, D, E. Strum each once and check for
dead notes. Adjust fretting pressure until notes ring.
Lock the waltz: thumb targets a bass note on beat 1 (5th string for A,
4th for D, 6th for E). Beats 2 and 3 are light brushes.
Play the first verse with one bar per chord as listed above. Sing gently;
let the words set your dynamics.
Move to the chorus and lean a little more on beat 1. Keep the timing
steady; avoid rushing the “Amanda” pickup syllables.
Add color later: slip Asus2 or Dsus2 on softer lines, then resolve to the
full triad for emphasis.
Common mistakes
Keep the bass strong and the strum light; it is a conversation,
not a shout.
Rushing the waltz. Breathe at the bar line; let the lyric land.
Over-hitting 2 and 3. Keep them gentle so the vocal sits on top.
Buzz on A chord. Curl fingers; aim the index just behind the
2nd fret on the 4th string.
Too much sustain on E. Palm-damp slightly if the low string
overwhelms your voice.
General tips
Tempo varies by version; for a Waylon-style ballad, practice near 60–65 bpm.
For a Don Williams feel, try around 110 bpm, still in 3/4. Start slower and
sing comfortably; a steady pulse matters more than exact bpm.
Voice-leading: let common tones ring between A and D. On D, lift the 1st
finger briefly for Dsus2, then place it back to signal a phrase ending.
Practice loop: A (2 bars) | D A | A | E A, repeat. Add a soft pickup strum
into “Amanda” so the lyric floats in on beat 3-and.
Song Facts:
“Amanda” is a country standard written by Bob McDill. Don Williams first
released it in 1973 as the flip side to “Come Early Morning,” and his take
reached the country charts. Waylon Jennings cut the tune for his 1974 album
“The Ramblin’ Man,” but he did not issue it as a single until 1979, after
fresh overdubs for his “Greatest Hits.” That single became Waylon’s eighth
solo number one and spent three weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Country Singles.
The song’s plainspoken lyric captures a middle-aged reckoning—time passing,
hard miles on the road, and a partner who deserved better—balanced by deep
gratitude. The melody’s narrow range and the waltz feel make it ripe for
front-porch singing and harmony.
Chris Stapleton has returned to “Amanda” often, including a hushed Grand Ole
Opry turn and a moving 2017 tribute after Don Williams passed, with Morgane on
harmony. Their version leans even more into the conversational phrasing and
soft dynamic swells, which is why it sits so well in small rooms or solo
acoustic sets. If you sing it with a partner, trade the melody and the high
third on the word “Amanda” to mirror that blend. The combination of a simple
three-chord frame and lived-in storytelling is exactly why this song keeps its
grip decades on.
Song meaning
Whole-song: a life inventory at the mirror—age on the face, miles on the
soul—made gentler by the love of one person. The waltz meter and easy chords
keep the voice front and center. Verse by verse, the narrator lists honest
tells of time; the chorus reframes it with affection and regret in equal
measure. Your dynamics should follow that arc: verses close and dry; choruses
a shade wider, then taper for the last line.
Comparisons to previous works:
Against Waylon’s tougher Outlaw tracks, “Amanda” is tender, almost hushed.
Next to Don Williams’ smooth croon, Waylon’s baritone feels more weathered.
Stapleton respects both—keeping Waylon’s gravitas while borrowing Williams’
soft touch—so his duet with Morgane reads like a bridge between those
approaches. That blend makes the cover feel classic yet personal.
On-page FAQ
What tuning and capo should I use?
Standard tuning, no capo. Play in A with open chords.
Is this in 3/4 or 4/4?
3/4 waltz. Count “1 2 3-and” and keep beat 1 as the bass hit.
What is a foolproof strum?
Bass-down, down, down-up. Light touch on beats 2 and 3.
Can I simplify tricky chord grips?
Use Asus2 for A and Dsus2 for D when you need an easier landing.
How slow should I practice?
Start around 60 bpm for the Waylon vibe; nudge up only when steady.
