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The Sailor

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Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse]
Well, my Emdaddy Amwas a Emsailor
A sailor Djust like Emme
His wife was Amlike my Emmother
His Clove was the Dsilver Emsea
He was jEmust aAmnother SEmailor
Off to fDind the wEmorld
He was jEmust aAmnother SEmailor
 CAll his clDoth unfEmurled
[Verse]
Singin' Gla den Dda n Emdao
The Gwater is Ddeep  and Emit’s wide
The Gship went Ddown and the EmCaptain drownsC  
Does no Dgood to EmcryC  D  Em  
[Verse]
AmTurnin' at the gang plank, Emhe looked me in the eye
He said, Amlearn to read the truth son that Emlies between these lines
GI never mDeet a strEmanger
Til GI've known them fDor a tEmime
And I'd rGather hDave one Empenny
Than all the nCickel Din the brEmine
[Verse]
EmSay you dAmouble-headed EEmagle
CSay you can tDeach me how to fEmly
Well, Gtell me Dthen where Emwould I go
CBut up inDto the Amsky
CBut up inDto the sEmky
[Verse]
EmOh my Daddy wAmas a SEmailor
The salt Dis in my bEmlood
And hEmere I Amam in NEmashville
 CBound deep Din this Emmud
[Verse]
I'm singGin' la dDen da Emn dao
Yes GI'm too fDar out to Emsea
So I'll sGink with hDim or I'll swEmim with themC  
Across this brDiney dEmeep
[Verse]
SAmusie’s in the kitchen doin' dEmishes
ChAmris and all his toys have gone to Embed
StCarin' out the wDindow all I wEmish is
 CI could hear the words I'm hDearin' in my hEmead
 CI could hear the words I'm hDearin' in my hEmead

All chords in this song (5)

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The Sailor

by Mickey Newbury

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

Em Am Em

Well, my daddy was a sailor

D Em

A sailor just like me

Am Em

His wife was like my mother

C D Em

His love was the silver sea

Em Am Em

He was just another Sailor

D Em

Off to find the world

Em Am Em

He was just another Sailor

C D Em

All his cloth unfurled

[Verse]

G D Em

Singin' la den da n dao

G D Em

The water is deep and it’s wide

G D Em C

The ship went down and the Captain drowns

D Em C D Em

Does no good to cry

[Verse]

Am Em

Turnin' at the gang plank, he looked me in the eye

Am Em

He said, learn to read the truth son that lies between these lines

G D Em

I never meet a stranger

G D Em

Til I've known them for a time

G D Em

And I'd rather have one penny

C D Em

Than all the nickel in the brine

[Verse]

Em Am Em

Say you double-headed Eagle

C D Em

Say you can teach me how to fly

G D Em

Well, tell me then where would I go

C D Am

But up into the sky

C D Em

But up into the sky

[Verse]

Em Am Em

Oh my Daddy was a Sailor

D Em

The salt is in my blood

Em Am Em

And here I am in Nashville

C D Em

Bound deep in this mud

[Verse]

G D Em

I'm singin' la den da n dao

G D Em

Yes I'm too far out to sea

G D Em C

So I'll sink with him or I'll swim with them

D Em

Across this briney deep

[Verse]

Am Em

Susie’s in the kitchen doin' dishes

Am Em

Chris and all his toys have gone to bed

C D Em

Starin' out the window all I wish is

C D Em

I could hear the words I'm hearin' in my head

C D Em

I could hear the words I'm hearin' in my head

About The Sailor Chords by Mickey Newbury

Learn how to play The Sailor by Mickey Newbury with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Sailor chords”, “The Sailor guitar chords”, or “Mickey Newbury The Sailor 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 Sailor chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Sailor lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, Am, D, A, C, G.

FAQ — The Sailor by Mickey Newbury

How do I play "The Sailor" by Mickey Newbury on guitar?

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Are the chords for "The Sailor" by Mickey Newbury free?

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

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Sailor"?

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

Is "The Sailor" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "The Sailor" in?

The chords for "The Sailor" show the original chord names (including Em, Am, D, A, C, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.