Explore how to play some of the most popular Ed Sheeran songs on the kalimba with these simple, easy-to-follow tabs. These tabs are provided for educational purposes only, and all rights to the original music belong to the respective owners. Ed Sheeran’s music is built on honesty. Every song feels personal — whether it’s about first love, heartbreak, or home. His writing captures emotion in the simplest words and melodies, making his songs timeless companions for every stage of life. These ten tracks represent his finest work of the songs that defined his career and shaped how the world hears love.
1. Ed Sheeran - Photograph
The song explores the complexities of love, embracing both its joys and challenges. Through the image of a photograph, it reflects on how memories preserve emotional moments and keep love alive, even across distance and time. The lyrics express resilience and devotion, showing that while love can be painful, it never truly disappears, it simply changes form and lives on through what we keep.
C°C°D°E°GE°
E°F°E°D°C°E°D°
E°E°E°F°E°D°C°
E°D°E°E°E°F°E
°D°C°C°D°
C°C°D°E°GE°
E°E°F°E°D°C°
E°D°E°E°E°F°
E°D°C°G°E°E°E°
E°F°E°D°C°C°
2. Ed Sheeran - Perfect
Perfect, released in 2017, is a romantic song by Ed Sheeran and Will Hicks that tells a story of young love. The music video follows a heartfelt journey, including a memorable scene of dancing in the snow, capturing the warmth and intimacy of a growing relationship. A modern classic and wedding favourite, Perfect describes lifelong love with calm, gratitude, and devotion. It isn’t just about passion, it’s about comfort, friendship, and finding someone who feels like home.
G A C° C° E° D° C° E°
D° E° E° C° C° D° E° D°
E° D° C° E° G° E° D° C°
C° D° E° F° F° E° E° D°
C° D° E° D° G° G° G°
A° E° D° E° E° E° E° D° C° E° E° E°
E° D° C° F° E° D° C°
G E° F° E° D°
E° D° C° E° E° E°
E° D° C° E° E° E°
3. Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
Bad Habits, released in 2021, is a dance-pop single by Ed Sheeran, co-written with Johnny McDaid. Blending ’80s-inspired beats with dark, cinematic visuals, the music video features Sheeran in a vampire-themed storyline that nods to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The song reflects Sheeran’s personal journey of breaking old patterns, inspired in part by fatherhood, and went on to reach No. 1 on global charts.
AB C° C°A C°E° BBG
BE° A AF AB AAF
AB C° C°A C°E° BBG
BE° A AF AB AAF AB
BC°B C°B C°B C°B C°B G F
E°D°E° D°E° D°E° E°E°E° G° C°
AC°C° D°E° G°G° E°A°
E° E° D°D° C°D°A C°C° C°C°
E°F°E° D°D° C°D°A C°C° C°D°
E°F°E° D°D° C°D°A C°C° C°C°
4. Ed Sheeran - Afterglow
Originally released in 2020, the pop song was written and composed by Ed Sheeran. The music video features Australian actor Leighton Sharpe as Paul and a Danish model as Dana. The song was inspired by the arrival of Sheeran's daughter, born in August 2020.
(C E G) E° E° E° E° E° E° E°
(F A C°) E° E° E° E° E° E° D° C° D° E°
(G B) D° D° D° D° D° (A) D° C°
D° D° (F) D° C°
(C E G) E° E° E° E° E° E° E°
(F A C°) E° E° E° E° E° E° D° C° D° E°
(G B) D° D° D° D° D° (A) D° C°
D° D° (F) D° C°
E° G° A° (F A C°) A° A° A° A° A° G° G°
C° D° E° (C E G) E° E° E° E° (G) E° D° D°
5. Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
Shape of You, released in 2017, is one of Ed Sheeran’s biggest global hits, featured on his album Divide. Co-written with Johnny McDaid, Steve Mac, and Tameka Cottle, the song became one of the most streamed tracks in music history, winning multiple awards and topping charts worldwide. Driven by a tropical rhythm and catchy chorus, Shape of You celebrates attraction, chemistry, and confidence that captures spontenous love.
A C° A A C° A A C° A B A G
C° C° C° C° C° C° C° C° D° E° E°
G° D° D° D° D° D° D° D° E° D° C° A
A E° E° E° E° E° E° E° E° D° C° E° D° C°
G° D° D° D° D° D° D° D° E° D° C° A
E G A G A A G A E° D° D° D° C° A C° E° D° C° A
G° E° D° E° D° C° A
6. Thinking Out Loud
An ageless ballad that blends soul, romance, and vulnerability. It’s about growing old together and keeping love alive long after the first spark. Sheeran’s warm tone and heartfelt delivery turned it into a global symbol of enduring commitment.
C E G E° G° (A° E) G° (E° G)
D° C° (D° F) E° A C° G B D°
7. Castle on the Hill
This track replaces romantic love with affection for youth, friends, and home. It’s a love letter to where it all began—a reminder that the people and places that shape us are part of who we love. Nostalgia becomes an act of gratitude.
C° E° E° E° C° C° G C° C° C°
C° E° E° E° C° C° F° E° C° C° F° E°
E° C” G° G° A° G° G° G° F° G° F° C° E° E° D°
C° E° E° C° C°
E° E° E° D° D°
C’ C° C° C° G B C° C°
C° D° E° F° E° D° C° C°
8. The A Team
Sheeran’s first breakthrough hit, inspired by a woman struggling with addiction. It’s an act of empathy rather than judgment, showing that love sometimes means seeing humanity in people society ignores. It taught the world that storytelling could still move mountains.
A B G G
A B B B D B
A B E D
A B G G
A B B B D B
A B D D
G D° B
A G G G D° B
G G G D° B
G G G G A B
9. Galway Girl
Playful, bright, and full of energy. Galway Girl celebrates cultural connection and fleeting passion. It captures the joy of love found in unexpected places—music, laughter, and moments that don’t last forever but stay with you.
F D° C° C° A
A A G A
F G G G G
A G F D
10. Happier
Heartbreak wrapped in grace. Sheeran accepts that someone he once loved has found happiness elsewhere, wishing them well while quietly hurting. Love here matures—it learns to release instead of cling.
E° C) E G (A° F) A G° A° (E° C) E G
C E° E° (F° F) E° D° C° (E° C) E G
C E° E° (F° F) E° D° C° (C° C) E G
C G° G° (A° F) G° G° E° E° C E G
11. Dive
A soulful slow burn about vulnerability and trust. Dive asks whether love will be mutual or one-sided. It’s an emotional risk, beautifully captured through powerful vocals and blues-inspired guitar. Love as courage—raw and uncertain.
12. I See Fire
Written for The Hobbit, this song extends love beyond romance into loyalty and unity. Its haunting melody and poetic lyrics reflect devotion and sacrifice. Love becomes collective—fighting for something greater than oneself. Ed Sheeran’s best songs reveal every layer of love—joy, loss, memory, and devotion. From the playful rhythm of Shape of You to the aching honesty of Happier, his music reminds us that love is both fragile and eternal.
A C° D° D° E° E° D°
C° C° A° G° G° A°
The Only Kalimba Guide You’ll Ever Need!
The Complete Kalimba Player eBook is a 62-page resource packed with tuning guides, diagrams, exclusive tips, and 37 easy songs for all skill levels. Save time with this all-in-one guide—the only resource you’ll ever need! Get instant access to a quality-checked, printable PDF full of variety.
