Now playing

Make And Break Harbour

Chords

4.795 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo 2nd fret, key of D
[Intro]
C  C/G  C  C/G
[Verse 1]
How stCill lies the bAmay in the lFight western airsG  
Which blDmow from the crFimson horGizon
Once mCore we tack home with a drFy empty hGold
Saving gDmas with the brFeezes so fGair
She's a kCindly Cape AmIslander, Fold, but still sGound
But so lDmost in the lFongliner's shGadow
Make and brCeak, and make do, but the fFish are so few
That she Gwon't be replFaced should she fCounder
[Verse 2]
It's so hCard to not thAmink of befFore the big wGar
When the cDmod were so chFeap and so plGenty
Foreign trCawlers go by now with lFong-seeing Geyes
Taking Dmall, where we sFeldom take Gany
And the yCoung folk don't stAmay with the fFisherman's wGay
Long agDmo, they all mFoved to the cGities
And the Cones left behind, old, tFired, and blind
Can't wGork for "a pFound or a pCenny".
[Chorus]
In MFake and Break HGarbour the bCoats are so few
Too mAmany are pGulled up and rFottenG  
Most hCouses stand Amempty, old nCets hung to dryF  
Are blGown away, lFost and forgCotten.
[Instrumental]
C Am C F G F C
[Verse 3]
Now I can sCee the big drAmaggers have stFirred up the bGay
Leaving lDmobster traps smFashed on the bGottom
Can they thCink it don't pay to respFect the old wGays
That MDmake and Break mFen have not forgGotton?
For we stCill keep our tAmime to the tFurn of the tideG  
And this bDmoat that I bFuilt with my faGther
Still lCifts to the sky! The one lFunger and I
Still tGalk like old frFiends on the wCater.
[Chorus]
In MFake and Break HGarbour the bCoats are so few
Too mAmany are pGulled up and rFottenG  
Most hCouses stand Amempty, old nCets hung to dryF  
Are bGlown away, lFost and forgCotten.
In MFake and Break HGarbour the bCoats are so few
Too mAmany are pGulled up and rFottenG  
Most hCouses stand Amempty, old nCets hung to dryF  
Are bGlown away, lFost and forgCotten.
[Outro]
C Am C F G F C

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 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

Make And Break Harbour

by Stan Rogers

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

C/G

Capo 2nd fret, key of D

[Intro]

C C/G C C/G

[Verse 1]

C Am F G

How still lies the bay in the light western airs

Dm F G

Which blow from the crimson horizon

C F G

Once more we tack home with a dry empty hold

Dm F G

Saving gas with the breezes so fair

C Am F G

She's a kindly Cape Islander, old, but still sound

Dm F G

But so lost in the longliner's shadow

C F

Make and break, and make do, but the fish are so few

G F C

That she won't be replaced should she founder

[Verse 2]

C Am F G

It's so hard to not think of before the big war

Dm F G

When the cod were so cheap and so plenty

C F G

Foreign trawlers go by now with long-seeing eyes

Dm F G

Taking all, where we seldom take any

C Am F G

And the young folk don't stay with the fisherman's way

Dm F G

Long ago, they all moved to the cities

C F

And the ones left behind, old, tired, and blind

G F C

Can't work for "a pound or a penny".

[Chorus]

F G C

In Make and Break Harbour the boats are so few

Am G F G

Too many are pulled up and rotten

C Am C F

Most houses stand empty, old nets hung to dry

G F C

Are blown away, lost and forgotten.

[Instrumental]

C Am C F G F C

[Verse 3]

C Am F G

Now I can see the big draggers have stirred up the bay

Dm F G

Leaving lobster traps smashed on the bottom

C F G

Can they think it don't pay to respect the old ways

Dm F G

That Make and Break men have not forgotton?

C Am F G

For we still keep our time to the turn of the tide

Dm F G

And this boat that I built with my father

C F

Still lifts to the sky! The one lunger and I

G F C

Still talk like old friends on the water.

[Chorus]

F G C

In Make and Break Harbour the boats are so few

Am G F G

Too many are pulled up and rotten

C Am C F

Most houses stand empty, old nets hung to dry

G F C

Are blown away, lost and forgotten.

F G C

In Make and Break Harbour the boats are so few

Am G F G

Too many are pulled up and rotten

C Am C F

Most houses stand empty, old nets hung to dry

G F C

Are blown away, lost and forgotten.

[Outro]

C Am C F G F C

About Make And Break Harbour Chords by Stan Rogers

Learn how to play Make And Break Harbour by Stan Rogers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Make And Break Harbour chords”, “Make And Break Harbour guitar chords”, or “Stan Rogers Make And Break Harbour 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 Make And Break Harbour chords and for experienced players who want accurate Make And Break Harbour lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, C, C/G, Am, F, G.

FAQ — Make And Break Harbour by Stan Rogers

How do I play "Make And Break Harbour" by Stan Rogers on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Make And Break Harbour" by Stan Rogers 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 "Make And Break Harbour" by Stan Rogers free?

Yes. The chords for "Make And Break Harbour" by Stan Rogers are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Make And Break Harbour" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Make And Break Harbour"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Make And Break Harbour" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Make And Break Harbour" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Make And Break Harbour" by Stan Rogers with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Stan Rogers below.

What key is "Make And Break Harbour" in?

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