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Shellfish

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Gordon Lightfoot - Shellfish
CAPO: 2nd Fret
[INTRO:]   Am    C    G    Am    C7    F  Am  
[VERSE 1:]
Even if you're Csure before Gyou begin to Amcry 
Never C7rest until you Ffind what is Cbest to be forEmgot 
Let it Ffloat off in the Dmnight beGneath the moon 
So Cbrightly shining Emdown on the C7steeples of the Ftown
[CHORUS:]
You Gmust not be downhearted over Cthings you left undone 
You got Amfaith, to Emtell you all is Amwell
And you Emknow you'd best not FstopAm  
There's still a ways to Cgo Am  
[VERSE 2:]
Even if you're Csure, before Gyou begin to Amsigh 
Let me C7show my way is Fbest, on the Cwayward side toEmnight 
Let a Fplanet be your Dmguide aGbove the fields 
BeCside the sleeping Emtown, when the C7work is all shut Fdown 
[CHORUS:]
You Gwill not be outsmarted by that Csong you left unsung 
You got Amfaith, to Emmake your world take Amflight 
There is Emstill a ways to FgoAm  
'Bout a thousand miles or CsoAm  
[VERSE 3:]
Even if you're Csure before Gyou begin to Amsmile 
Let it C7happen on its Fown, like the Cshellfish in the Emsea 
I'm as Fselfish as can Dmbe, when Git comes down to Cme 
And all of my Emkin, all they C7want to do is Fwin 
[CHORUS:]
You Gwill not be deserted by old Cfriends you left alone
You got Amfaith to Emmake you meet the Amcost 
And you Emknow you'd best not FwaitAm  
He who hesitates is ClostAm  
So even if you're Csure
[INSTRUMENTAL:]   G    Am    C7    F    C    Em  F  
[OUTRO:]
It's so Geasy to be shellfish G7in the Csea

All chords in this song (8)

The story behind the song

Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian singer-songwriter known for helping to define the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s, with a talent for crafting timeless songs. His work often explored themes of trains and shipwrecks, rivers and highways, and the universal emotions of lovers and loneliness. While the specific meaning of "Shellfish" isn't detailed, it emerges from a body of work celebrated for its evocative storytelling and deep emotional resonance. Playing this song might feel like tapping into a quiet, introspective moment.

AI-written from these sources:Gordon Lightfoot — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Shellfish

by Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gordon Lightfoot - Shellfish

CAPO: 2nd Fret

Am C G Am C7 F Am

[INTRO:]

[VERSE 1:]

C G Am

Even if you're sure before you begin to cry

C7 F C Em

Never rest until you find what is best to be forgot

F Dm G

Let it float off in the night beneath the moon

C Em C7 F

So brightly shining down on the steeples of the town

[CHORUS:]

G C

You must not be downhearted over things you left undone

Am Em Am

You got faith, to tell you all is well

Em F Am

And you know you'd best not stop

C Am

There's still a ways to go

[VERSE 2:]

C G Am

Even if you're sure, before you begin to sigh

C7 F C Em

Let me show my way is best, on the wayward side tonight

F Dm G

Let a planet be your guide above the fields

C Em C7 F

Beside the sleeping town, when the work is all shut down

[CHORUS:]

G C

You will not be outsmarted by that song you left unsung

Am Em Am

You got faith, to make your world take flight

Em F Am

There is still a ways to go

C Am

'Bout a thousand miles or so

[VERSE 3:]

C G Am

Even if you're sure before you begin to smile

C7 F C Em

Let it happen on its own, like the shellfish in the sea

F Dm G C

I'm as selfish as can be, when it comes down to me

Em C7 F

And all of my kin, all they want to do is win

[CHORUS:]

G C

You will not be deserted by old friends you left alone

Am Em Am

You got faith to make you meet the cost

Em F Am

And you know you'd best not wait

C Am

He who hesitates is lost

So even if you're sure

G Am C7 F C Em F

[INSTRUMENTAL:]

[OUTRO:]

G G7 C

It's so easy to be shellfish in the sea

About Shellfish Chords by Gordon Lightfoot

Learn how to play Shellfish by Gordon Lightfoot with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Shellfish chords”, “Shellfish guitar chords”, or “Gordon Lightfoot Shellfish 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 Shellfish chords and for experienced players who want accurate Shellfish lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, C, G, C7, F, Em.

FAQ — Shellfish by Gordon Lightfoot

How do I play "Shellfish" by Gordon Lightfoot on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Shellfish" by Gordon Lightfoot 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 "Shellfish" by Gordon Lightfoot free?

Yes. The chords for "Shellfish" by Gordon Lightfoot are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Shellfish" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Shellfish"?

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

Is "Shellfish" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Shellfish" in?

The chords for "Shellfish" show the original chord names (including Am, C, G, C7, F, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.