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On The Water

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[Verse 1]
GI was on the water Cwhen it began to Gheave
GAnd at the Emfight my wCords were Dstrong
GBut I would not have Emimagined that they’Cd stop making Gpatterns 
GIt’s caps of white, Emraised and broke I Dfasten to the Gboat
[Verse 2]
GThe panic overtook me aCnd the fear I held Gwithin
GI drew a Embreath and I tCried to find the Dcourage
GTo stand the troubled Emtrip. What haCve I gotten myself Ginto? 
GI silently wEmondered, I sDilently aGsked
[Verse 3]
GI thought of my Emfamily and Cthought of my Glove
GI thought of my Emmaker and wChat might be aDbove 
GAnd the cabin in the Emwoods that CI have not yet Gbuilt
GMany other Emthings that I hold Ddear in this Gworld
[Verse 4]
GI rode through Emthe turmoil and Crode through the Gstrife 
GI held to my wEmords and I clumpeCd to my Dlife
GAnd then when my Emvision Cbegan to Gblur
GThis is what I Emsaw and the Dthought that had Goccurred
[Verse 5]
GI saw every Emfish swimming Cfast beside Gme 
GAnd all kiEmnds of leafs frCom all different trDees 
GAnd all of thEme insects that Ccircle on the Gearth 
GBirds and lanEmd animals are rDeaching towardGs birth
[Verse 6]
GAnd I saw my Embody on a Cbody of Gwater
GAnd I could Emsee that we Gwere the Dsame 
GRoaring and Emreckless, CinvulnerabGle 
GEmotion and Emswinging and Dpredisposed to cGhanging
[Verse 7]
GWhen I open Emmy eyes Cvision Grespell
GI picked up mEmy oars and CI kissed the Dcoldness
GWith stronger Emarms I sCilently Gswept
GI silently drEmifted, I DsilentlGy wept

All chords in this song (4)

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On The Water

by Great Lake Swimmers

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

G C G

I was on the water when it began to heave

G Em C D

And at the fight my words were strong

G Em C G

But I would not have imagined that they’d stop making patterns

G Em D G

It’s caps of white, raised and broke I fasten to the boat

[Verse 2]

G C G

The panic overtook me and the fear I held within

G Em C D

I drew a breath and I tried to find the courage

G Em C G

To stand the troubled trip. What have I gotten myself into?

G Em D G

I silently wondered, I silently asked

[Verse 3]

G Em C G

I thought of my family and thought of my love

G Em C D

I thought of my maker and what might be above

G Em C G

And the cabin in the woods that I have not yet built

G Em D G

Many other things that I hold dear in this world

[Verse 4]

G Em C G

I rode through the turmoil and rode through the strife

G Em C D

I held to my words and I clumped to my life

G Em C G

And then when my vision began to blur

G Em D G

This is what I saw and the thought that had occurred

[Verse 5]

G Em C G

I saw every fish swimming fast beside me

G Em C D

And all kinds of leafs from all different trees

G Em C G

And all of the insects that circle on the earth

G Em D G

Birds and land animals are reaching towards birth

[Verse 6]

G Em C G

And I saw my body on a body of water

G Em G D

And I could see that we were the same

G Em C G

Roaring and reckless, invulnerable

G Em D G

Emotion and swinging and predisposed to changing

[Verse 7]

G Em C G

When I open my eyes vision respell

G Em C D

I picked up my oars and I kissed the coldness

G Em C G

With stronger arms I silently swept

G Em D G

I silently drifted, I silently wept

About On The Water Chords by Great Lake Swimmers

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

FAQ — On The Water by Great Lake Swimmers

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

Is "On The Water" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "On The Water" in?

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