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Amsterdam

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(Port of) AMSTERDAM
Written by Jacques Brel (original lyrics in French, English by David Bowie – 1972)
As performed by David Bowie
[Verse 1]
AmIn the port of Amsterdam there's a Emsailor who sings
Of the Fdreams that he brings from the Ewide open sea
In the Amport of Amsterdam there's a Emsailor who sleeps
While the Dmriver bank Eweeps to the old wiAmllow tree
In the Cport of Amsterdam there's a Gsailor who Edies
Full of Ambeer, full of cries in a Emdrunken town Efight
In the Fport of Amsterdam there's a Esailor who's born
On a Dmhot muggy Emorn by the Amdawn's early light
[Instrumental]
Am
[Verse 2]
In the Amport of Amsterdam where the Emsailors all meet
There's a Fsailor who eats only Efish heads and tails
And he'll Amshow you his teeth that have Emrotted too soon
That can Dmhaul up the Esails that can Amswallow the moon
And he Cyells to the cook with his Garms open Ewide
Hey, Ambring me more fish, throw it Emdown by my Eside
And he Fwants so to belch but he's Etoo full to try
So he Dmstands up and Elaughs and he Amzips up his fly
[Verse 3]
AmIn the port of Amsterdam you can see saiEmlors dance
Paunches Fbursting their pants, grinding Ewomen to porch
They've forAmgotten the tune that their Emwhiskey voice croaked
DmSplitting the Enight with the Amroar of their jokes
And they Cturn and they dance and they Glaugh and they Elust
Till the Amrancid sound of the acEmcordion Ebursts
And then Fout of the night with their Epride in their pants
And the Dmsluts that they Etow underAmneath the street lamps
[Verse 4]
In the Amport of Amsterdam there's a Emsailor who drinks
And he Fdrinks and he drinks and he Edrinks once again
He'll Amdrink to the health of the Emwhores of Amsterdam
Who've Dmgiven their Ebodies to a Amthousand other men
Yeah, they've Cbargained their virtue, their Ggoodness all Egone
For a Amfew dirty coins, well he Emjust can't go Eon
Throws his Fnose to the sky and he Eaims it up above
And he Dmpisses like I Ecry on the Amunfaithful love
In the Amport of Amsterdam, in the Emport of Amsterdam
F  E  Am  E Am

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

"Amsterdam" appears on a release from David Bowie's early career, a period where he was already known for his artistic reinvention and striking visual presentation. Bowie himself was a singer, songwriter, and actor, regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. His music, stagecraft, and fashion consistently impacted popular culture. This song, then, plays like an intriguing glimpse into the creative world of an artist constantly exploring new sounds and identities.

AI-written from these sources:David Bowie — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Amsterdam

by David Bowie

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

(Port of) AMSTERDAM

Written by Jacques Brel (original lyrics in French, English by David Bowie – 1972)

As performed by David Bowie

[Verse 1]

Am Em

In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who sings

F E

Of the dreams that he brings from the wide open sea

Am Em

In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who sleeps

Dm E Am

While the river bank weeps to the old willow tree

C G E

In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who dies

Am Em E

Full of beer, full of cries in a drunken town fight

F E

In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who's born

Dm E Am

On a hot muggy morn by the dawn's early light

[Instrumental]

[Verse 2]

Am Em

In the port of Amsterdam where the sailors all meet

F E

There's a sailor who eats only fish heads and tails

Am Em

And he'll show you his teeth that have rotted too soon

Dm E Am

That can haul up the sails that can swallow the moon

C G E

And he yells to the cook with his arms open wide

Am Em E

Hey, bring me more fish, throw it down by my side

F E

And he wants so to belch but he's too full to try

Dm E Am

So he stands up and laughs and he zips up his fly

[Verse 3]

Am Em

In the port of Amsterdam you can see sailors dance

F E

Paunches bursting their pants, grinding women to porch

Am Em

They've forgotten the tune that their whiskey voice croaked

Dm E Am

Splitting the night with the roar of their jokes

C G E

And they turn and they dance and they laugh and they lust

Am Em E

Till the rancid sound of the accordion bursts

F E

And then out of the night with their pride in their pants

Dm E Am

And the sluts that they tow underneath the street lamps

[Verse 4]

Am Em

In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who drinks

F E

And he drinks and he drinks and he drinks once again

Am Em

He'll drink to the health of the whores of Amsterdam

Dm E Am

Who've given their bodies to a thousand other men

C G E

Yeah, they've bargained their virtue, their goodness all gone

Am Em E

For a few dirty coins, well he just can't go on

F E

Throws his nose to the sky and he aims it up above

Dm E Am

And he pisses like I cry on the unfaithful love

Am Em

In the port of Amsterdam, in the port of Amsterdam

F E Am E Am

About Amsterdam Chords by David Bowie

Learn how to play Amsterdam by David Bowie with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Amsterdam chords”, “Amsterdam guitar chords”, or “David Bowie Amsterdam chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Amsterdam chords and for experienced players who want accurate Amsterdam lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, Em, F, E, Dm, C.

FAQ — Amsterdam by David Bowie

How do I play "Amsterdam" by David Bowie on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Amsterdam" by David Bowie on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Amsterdam" by David Bowie free?

Yes. The chords for "Amsterdam" by David Bowie are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Amsterdam" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Amsterdam" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Amsterdam"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Amsterdam" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Amsterdam" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Amsterdam" by David Bowie with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by David Bowie below.

What key is "Amsterdam" in?

The chords for "Amsterdam" show the original chord names (including Am, Em, F, E, Dm, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.