Row Row Row your Boat – Ukulele Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music

Row Row Row your Boat is not one of the best-known children’s songs, but still a great one that children love to sing and also a good choice when it comes to finding a good piece for learning a musical instrument. The great advantage about the song is its shortness. It only consists of two sentences and requires two different chords, which make it very easy for beginners. You could even play the song on just one ukulele string. Let’s learn in this free a bit more about the background of the song and how to play it in different styles on the ukulele. We also provide you the chords, tabs and sheet music as PDF for free!

History of Row Row Row Your Boat

Row, Row, Row Your Boat is a classic children’s song with origins dating back to the 19th century. The earliest known publication of the song was in 1852, with similar lyrics but a different melody. The version we know today, with its familiar melody, was first documented in 1881, with Eliphalet Oram Lyte often credited for his popular arrangement.

The nursery rhyme is often combined with movement activities, such as having children sit in pairs and “row” together by holding hands and rocking back and forth to the rhythm of the song.

Ukulele Tabs for Row Row Row your Boat

Nursery rhymes offer endless possibilities for musical interpretation, ranging from straightforward versions with basic chords and strums to more advanced fingerstyle arrangements. Let’s kick things off with easy arrangements in a pitch that’s comfortable for most people to sing. You’ll learn to play the song by fingerpicking the melody as well as strumming along with basic chords. By the time we’re done, you’ll have the flexibility to choose the version that best fits your style or is most suitable for your students.

1. Level: Playing only on One Ukulele String

Why not start with a simple version of the song? You can actually play the entire melody on just one string of your ukulele. Focusing on a single string allows you to concentrate on plucking with one finger as you move up and down the fretboard without the distraction of the other strings. This method is ideal for beginners and provides a quick way to get comfortable with the melody. Simply press down on the first string with the index or middle finger of your left hand, then pluck the string with your right thumb.

Here are the ukulele tabs for Row Row Row your Boat on one string:

Check out our recording of this one string version on the ukulele!

You can also play the same melody on any other string of your ukulele as well. Try for example the 3rd string to have a pretty low version Row Row Row your Boat.

2. Level: Playing on several Ukulele Strings

Starting with the melody on just one string of the ukulele is an easy and accessible way to get started, but you can also explore the melody across all strings. Using multiple strings is actually a more common and efficient method, as it minimizes left-hand movement along the neck and opens up a wider range of notes. If you stick to the first three frets, as shown in the tabs below, you can play the melody with less shifting of your hand position. Although this method involves using more fingers and plucking different strings, it is a good exercise for beginners to help build and refine their ukulele skills.

Here are the ukulele tabs for playing the nursery rhyme on the first three strings:

We have also recorded the playing of the song on the first three strings. Have a listen to the audio recording.

Ukulele Chords For Row Row Row your Boat

Fingerpicking a melody on the ukulele is good exercise and fun at the same! Everyone will recognize the nursery rhymes for sure without singing it because we play the melody note by note. But, if you want to sing along then playing a song with chords is much more typical. Let’s play the song in the key o C. Therefore, we need the following basic ukulele chords: C and G.

Here are the chord diagrams for the required chords:

Do you already know how to play the C and G chord on the ukulele and are you comfortable changing between these two chords? Then you’ll have no trouble playing this song on your ukulele right away! But if you’re not quite there yet, start by practicing the C and G chords separately. Once you know how to play these chords, you can start strumming the C-G sequence with simple downstrokes until you can play it without mistakes.

For beginners, it’s essential to start new songs slowly. Concentrate on playing a simple down strum with each chord change. This approach gives you enough time to switch chords without the added complexity of advanced strumming patterns. Singing along will also be easier with just one down strum per chord change. Once you’re comfortable, you can begin experimenting with other strumming patterns and techniques.

Ukulele Sheet Music for Row Row Row your Boat

For ukulele players and teachers, sheet music is an essential tool, providing in-depth details about a song’s notes, rhythms, and chords. That said, beginners often find sheet music intimidating because it requires a grasp of music theory and some proficiency in reading musical notation. As a result, ukulele tabs or lyrics with chords are generally better suited for young learners, making the process easier and more approachable. But if you’re already familiar with reading sheet music, it’s definitely worth using it to enhance your playing experience!

Here is the sheet music for Row Row Row your Boat:

Free Ukulele Printables for Row Row Row your Boat

Are you a ukulele teacher or do you just want to practice the song with the printed worksheet instead of on the screen? Then download the lyrics with cords, tabs and sheet music as a PDF.

Interested in instruments other than the ukulele? You can also find a free lesson on how to play Row Row Row your Boat on the guitar, piano and recorder.