The A Horse With No Name chords make it possibly the easiest song of all time to play on guitar. It has just two chords all the way through. Although the rhythm can be a little tricky for complete beginners.
I remember learning this one, back when I first picked up a guitar. If you’re a complete beginner, a simple downstroke on every beat of the bar is a good starting point. After a while, work up to including the upstrokes to make the strumming you can hear on the record.
The two chords are E minor, and D/6/9/F#. Thankfully, D/6/9/F# sounds a lot more complicated than it is. It’s a very simple two-finger chord. In fact, both chords can be played with the same two fingers making a simple swap.
If you’re wanting to learn more songs, check out our list of 100 beginner guitar songs for other suggestions.
A Horse With No Name – Chords
A Horse With No Name – Chord Chart
(We’ve shortened the name for the D6/9/F# to make it easier to write, but make sure you play the chord above when you see D6/9).
[Intro]
Em Em D6/9 D6/9 (x2)
[Verse 1]
Em D6/9
On the first part of the journey
Em D6/9
I was looking at all the life
Em D6/9
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
Em D6/9
There were sand and hills and rings
Em D6/9
The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz
Em D6/9
And the sky with no clouds
Em D6/9
The heat was hot and the ground was dry
Em D6/9
But the air was full of sound
[Chorus]
Em9 D6/9
I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
Em9 D6/9
It felt good to be out of the rain
Em9 D6/9
In the desert you can remember your name
Em9 D6/9
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
Em9 D6/9
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la
Em9 D6/9
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la
[Verse 2]
Em D6/9
After two days in the desert sun
Em D6/9
My skin began to turn red
Em D6/9
After three days in the desert fun
Em D6/9
I was looking at a river bed
Em D6/9
And the story it told of a river that flowed
Em D6/9
Made me sad to think it was dead
[Chorus]
Em9 D6/9
You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
Em9 D6/9
It felt good to be out of the rain
Em9 D6/9
In the desert you can remember your name
Em9 D6/9
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
Em9 D6/9
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la
Em9 D6/9
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la
[Verse 3]
Em D6/9
After nine days I let the horse run free
Em D6/9
'Cause the desert had turned to sea
Em D6/9
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
Em D6/9
There were sand and hills and rings
Em D6/9
The ocean is a desert with its life underground
Em D6/9
And a perfect disguise above
Em D6/9
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
Em D6/9
But the humans will give no love
[Chorus]
Em9 D6/9
You see, I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
Em9 D6/9
It felt good to be out of the rain
Em9 D6/9
In the desert you can remember your name
Em9 D6/9
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
Em9 D6/9
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la (x8) 
Don’t mean to be picky, but you have Em9 instead of Em on some of the chords.