Now playing

Sailboat

Chords

4.786 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This is exactly how Ben Rector plays it live (I have personally talked to him about it). You can add hammer
on's to the C, Em, and D to make it sound more authentic. Hammer on with your middle finger for the C and D 
chords, and your pointer for the Em. Chords can be played regularly (open) or as written below to follow the
song more closely. All chords are relative to the capo.
Tune high e string down a whole step to D
Capo 3
C:  332010
G:  300000 (can also be played as 320000 occasionally throughout the song although Ben does not) 
Em: 022000
D:  554030
[Intro]
C G Em D
C G D G
[Verse 1]
I feel just like a CsailGboat
I don't know Emwhere I'm Dheaded
But you can't make the Cwind Gblow
From a DsailGboat
I have seen the CsunG  
Felt the Emrain on my Dskin
I've been Clost and Gfound
But mostly DI've been Gwaiting
[Chorus]
Oh, I'm Cout in the waves
I'm Ghoping and praying
EmPlease let this wind blow mDe home
CNight after night there's an Gempty horizon
And my EmGod, do I feel so Dalone
CSometimes life, Cmost times I, feel Djust like a sailCboat
C G Em D
[Verse 2]
I'm pretty Csure I'm Gheard
At least I Emknow I'm Dspeaking
But I feel Clike a Gfool
Cause I can't Dhear you Glistening
But I'm not Cgiving Gup
Oh, I will Emmove on Dforward
I'm gonna Craise my Gsail
God knows what I'm Dheaded Gtowards
[Chorus]
Oh, I'm Cout in the waves
I'm Ghoping and praying
EmPlease let this wind blow mDe home
CNight after night there's an Gempty horizon
And my EmGod, do I feel so Dalone
CSometimes life, Cmost times I, feel Djust like a sailCboat
C G Em D
[Verse 3]
The only Cchange I Gsee
Lost or Emfound, let's Dsee
The only Cdifference is Gbelieving DI'll make it Gin
[Chorus]
Oh, I'm Cout in the waves
I'm Ghoping and praying
EmPlease let this wind blow mDe home
CNight after night there's an Gempty horizon
And my EmGod, do I feel so Dalone
Oh, I'm Cout in the waves
I'm Ghoping and praying
EmPlease let this wind blow mDe home
CNight after night there's an Gempty horizon
And my EmGod, do I feel so Dalone
CSometimes life, Cmost times I, feel Djust like a sailCboat
C G Em D

All chords in this song (4)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Sailboat

by Ben Rector

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

This is exactly how Ben Rector plays it live (I have personally talked to him about it). You can add hammer

on's to the C, Em, and D to make it sound more authentic. Hammer on with your middle finger for the C and D

chords, and your pointer for the Em. Chords can be played regularly (open) or as written below to follow the

song more closely. All chords are relative to the capo.

Tune high e string down a whole step to D

Capo 3

C: 332010

G: 300000 (can also be played as 320000 occasionally throughout the song although Ben does not)

Em: 022000

D: 554030

[Intro]

C G Em D

C G D G

[Verse 1]

C G

I feel just like a sailboat

Em D

I don't know where I'm headed

C G

But you can't make the wind blow

D G

From a sailboat

C G

I have seen the sun

Em D

Felt the rain on my skin

C G

I've been lost and found

D G

But mostly I've been waiting

[Chorus]

Oh, I'm out in the waves

I'm hoping and praying

Em D

Please let this wind blow me home

C G

Night after night there's an empty horizon

Em D

And my God, do I feel so alone

C C D C

Sometimes life, most times I, feel just like a sailboat

C G Em D

[Verse 2]

C G

I'm pretty sure I'm heard

Em D

At least I know I'm speaking

C G

But I feel like a fool

D G

Cause I can't hear you listening

C G

But I'm not giving up

Em D

Oh, I will move on forward

C G

I'm gonna raise my sail

D G

God knows what I'm headed towards

[Chorus]

Oh, I'm out in the waves

I'm hoping and praying

Em D

Please let this wind blow me home

C G

Night after night there's an empty horizon

Em D

And my God, do I feel so alone

C C D C

Sometimes life, most times I, feel just like a sailboat

C G Em D

[Verse 3]

C G

The only change I see

Em D

Lost or found, let's see

C G D G

The only difference is believing I'll make it in

[Chorus]

Oh, I'm out in the waves

I'm hoping and praying

Em D

Please let this wind blow me home

C G

Night after night there's an empty horizon

Em D

And my God, do I feel so alone

Oh, I'm out in the waves

I'm hoping and praying

Em D

Please let this wind blow me home

C G

Night after night there's an empty horizon

Em D

And my God, do I feel so alone

C C D C

Sometimes life, most times I, feel just like a sailboat

C G Em D

About Sailboat Chords by Ben Rector

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

FAQ — Sailboat by Ben Rector

How do I play "Sailboat" by Ben Rector on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Sailboat" by Ben Rector 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 "Sailboat" by Ben Rector free?

Yes. The chords for "Sailboat" by Ben Rector are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Sailboat" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sailboat"?

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

Is "Sailboat" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Sailboat" in?

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