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Barges

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Cmajor

90BPM

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Barges
1.   CMe and Ammy brothCer returned to thAme water,          
    CI saw a pikEme that waFs two feet long.C  
    TAmwo small mCagicians, Ameach with a jam Cjar
    Amcast spells on thCe water with hGazel twig wandsAm.
2. CCountry boys caAmtch tadpoles, dCive into watAmer,
    made sChy by their laughEmter, we Fwondered down strCeam.
    AmAnd summer rolled o’Cer us with          Amno complicationsC,
    Amsat          thinking Cof Mama,       Gsometimes in dreaAmms.
3. CStand by the drawAmbridge waCiting for bargAmes,
    wCaiting aroEmund for sFmiles from the mCan.
    LAmifting the bridCge whilst       Amwatching the horCses,
    dAmragging tChe slow boats Gup the canAmal.
4. CI do remAmember the Ctimes but no numbAmer,
    aCfter the dayEm, but befoFre evening comeCs.
    WaAmiting for castCles and       kAmettles with rosCes,
    paAminted on baCrges that saiGled into the sAmun.
5.           C           Am                 C  Am  
   Oh see the river run, that was by man begun
   COpen the loEmck, let the Fboats sail onC  
   AmTaking their cCastles and Amkettles with Croses   
   AmAnd summers of Cchildhood leaving Gsmiles on the Amman

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Barges

by Ralph McTell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Barges

C Am C Am

1. Me and my brother returned to the water,

C Em F C

I saw a pike that was two feet long.

Am C Am C

Two small magicians, each with a jam jar

Am C G Am

cast spells on the water with hazel twig wands.

C Am C Am

2. Country boys catch tadpoles, dive into water,

C Em F C

made shy by their laughter, we wondered down stream.

Am C Am C

And summer rolled o’er us with no complications,

Am C G Am

sat thinking of Mama, sometimes in dreams.

C Am C Am

3. Stand by the drawbridge waiting for barges,

C Em F C

waiting around for smiles from the man.

Am C Am C

Lifting the bridge whilst watching the horses,

Am C G Am

dragging the slow boats up the canal.

C Am C Am

4. I do remember the times but no number,

C Em F C

after the day, but before evening comes.

Am C Am C

Waiting for castles and kettles with roses,

Am C G Am

painted on barges that sailed into the sun.

C Am C Am

Oh see the river run, that was by man begun

C Em F C

Open the lock, let the boats sail on

Am C Am C

Taking their castles and kettles with roses

Am C G Am

And summers of childhood leaving smiles on the man

About Barges Chords by Ralph McTell

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

FAQ — Barges by Ralph McTell

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What key is "Barges" in?

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