Soldier's Joy
Jam Essential
intermediate
Soldier's Joy
Jam Fiddle Tunes
Old-Time
The Grass app includes adjustable backing tracks with bass, guitar, and mandolin — a built-in chromatic tuner — a metronome with count-in — chord charts in any key — lyrics with chorus highlighting — demo videos — jam-along practice recordings — shareable setlists — and a finder for 700+ bluegrass jam circles near you. Free on iOS and Android.
Jam Along
Chord Chart
A x2
DD
DD
DD
AA
DD
DD
D
A
DD
B x2
DD
GG
DD
AA
DD
GG
D
A
DD
Chords used:
A
D
G
Demo Videos
Soldier's Joy performed by Doc Watson, David Grisman, & Jack Lawrence
GtrWorkShp
Billy Strings & Jarrod Walker "Soliders Joy"
T Shaw's Progressive Bluegrass
Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival 18 May 2013 - All Star Jam - Soldiers Joy
Michele Epps
Bluegrass Jamming in a Hotel Lobby IBMA 2025 *Soldier's Joy*
Shay Morgan
About This Song
Soldier's Joy is one of the oldest and most widely played fiddle tunes in American traditional music, with roots reaching back to the British Isles and at least 200 years of history in Appalachia. The title may refer to liquor or opium—soldiers' sources of comfort in difficult times. It's a jam session staple that every bluegrass musician should know, and its simple three-chord structure makes it perfect for beginners.