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The Boatman

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Emixolydian

90BPM

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[Chorus]
If EI could choose the life I please then DI would be a bEoatman
On Ethe canals and the rivers free no hDasty words are spEoken
My Donly law is the river breeze Athat takes me to the open seas
If EI could choose the life I please then DI would be a bEoatman
[Chorus]
If EI could choose the life I please then DI would be a rEover
AnEd if the roads was not for me then I wDould choose anEother
MoDuntains and the valleys deep wAhere I would take this weary feet
If EI could choose the life I please then DI would be a rEover
[Verse]
BmBut these things are so Ahard for me, BmI cannot choose my owAn destiny
ABmnd all things that I Awant to see are so uEnclean
WeEll I wish I could choose the life I please, I Dam not a fEree man
OtEhers rule my destiny but my wDill is never Ebroken
[Verse]
I Bmknow some day AI will be Bmeverything that I Adreamed I'd be
AEnd when I've lived the life I please thDen I will be a Efree man
I Bmknow some day AI will be Bmeverything that I Adreamed I'd be
AEnd when I've lived the life I please tDhen I will be a Efree man
AEnd when I've lived the life I please tDhen I will be a Efree man

All chords in this song (4)

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The Boatman

by Levellers

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Chorus]

E D E

If I could choose the life I please then I would be a boatman

E D E

On the canals and the rivers free no hasty words are spoken

D A

My only law is the river breeze that takes me to the open seas

E D E

If I could choose the life I please then I would be a boatman

[Chorus]

E D E

If I could choose the life I please then I would be a rover

E D E

And if the roads was not for me then I would choose another

D A

Mountains and the valleys deep where I would take this weary feet

E D E

If I could choose the life I please then I would be a rover

[Verse]

Bm A Bm A

But these things are so hard for me, I cannot choose my own destiny

Bm A E

And all things that I want to see are so unclean

E D E

Well I wish I could choose the life I please, I am not a free man

E D E

Others rule my destiny but my will is never broken

[Verse]

Bm A Bm A

I know some day I will be everything that I dreamed I'd be

E D E

And when I've lived the life I please then I will be a free man

Bm A Bm A

I know some day I will be everything that I dreamed I'd be

E D E

And when I've lived the life I please then I will be a free man

E D E

And when I've lived the life I please then I will be a free man

About The Boatman Chords by Levellers

Learn how to play The Boatman by Levellers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Boatman chords”, “The Boatman guitar chords”, or “Levellers The Boatman 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 The Boatman chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Boatman lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, D, A, Bm.

FAQ — The Boatman by Levellers

How do I play "The Boatman" by Levellers on guitar?

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Are the chords for "The Boatman" by Levellers free?

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Can I transpose "The Boatman" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Boatman"?

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

Is "The Boatman" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "The Boatman" in?

The chords for "The Boatman" show the original chord names (including E, D, A, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.