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Showboat

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
C/GEvery time it rains, it pours,
I C/Gpray it rains just a little more on mDme. Dm  
G‘Cause I’m the guy who never cries, 
GAnd I gotta’ keep my reputation C/Gclean.C/G  
And C/Ghere’s a helpful tip: the rain adC/Gministered
In raindrops may hC/Gelp to hide the tears a little mDmore.Dm  
Which is Gwhy a guy who never cries
LGooks up at the sky with hopeful eyes
HoGping when it finally rains it pC/Gours.C/G  
[Chorus]
I’m just a C/Gshowboat.
C/GWon’t catch me crying, no.
C/GWon’t catch me showing any hurt.Dm  Dm  
I’m just a Gshowboat.
GPretending I can stay afloat. 
GPretending I’m not sinking over hC/Ger.C/G  
[Verse 2]
And C/Gevery time the sun goes down
I C/Gpray the sunlight takes the sound as wDmell.Dm  
And Gin some new arms I lie
And GI can keep the pain all to C/Gmyself.C/G  
No C/Glight to see me shakin',
No C/Gsound to hear me breaking 
NC/Go sound to hear the teardrops hit the DmfloorDm  
Which iGs why a guy who never cries 
GLooks up at the sky with tired eyes
GHoping when it finally rains, it C/Gpours. C/G  
[Chorus]
I’m just a C/Gshowboat.
C/GWon’t catch me crying, no.
C/GWon’t catch me showing any hurt.Dm  Dm  
I’m just a Gshowboat.
GPretending I can stay afloat. 
GPretending I’m not sinking over hC/Ger.C/G  
[Instrumental Break]
C/G C/G Dm Dm G G C/G C/G C/G C/G
[Verse 3]
C/GEvery time I think of her
I C/Gwonder if she ever thinks of DmmeDm  
GOut all night and running wild
GThe latest styles, the greatest compC/GanyC/G  
With C/Glaughter, lights and drinking
Trying C/Ghard to keep from thinking
And sC/Geeking for what he is searching fDmorDm  
Which is Gwhy a guy who never cries
Looks Gup at the sky with desperate eyes
GHoping when it finally rains it poC/GursC/G  
[Bridge/Outro]
I’m just a C/Gshowboat
C/GOld King Thunderbolt
C/GMister Le Bon Temps Roll
ThDme only dog in every fight
ThDme only guy who dyna might
ThDme only guy who never cries
C/GHe’s never lonesome all the time
FSee him dancing up on tables
C/GShawnas, Lisas, Ethels, Mabels
GThough he looks a little tired
GOne eye always pointed skyward
GWaiting for a drop of rain
GTo fall and help to hide the pain
GTo fall and help to lift the boat
GSo he can think he’s still afloat
GPretending he ain’t sinking, no
GPretending he ain’t sinking over C/Gher
GPretending he ain’t sinking over C/Gher

All chords in this song (4)

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Showboat

by Josh Ritter

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/G

[Verse 1]

C/G

Every time it rains, it pours,

C/G Dm Dm

I pray it rains just a little more on me.

‘Cause I’m the guy who never cries,

G C/G C/G

And I gotta’ keep my reputation clean.

C/G C/G

And here’s a helpful tip: the rain administered

C/G Dm Dm

In raindrops may help to hide the tears a little more.

Which is why a guy who never cries

Looks up at the sky with hopeful eyes

G C/G C/G

Hoping when it finally rains it pours.

[Chorus]

C/G

I’m just a showboat.

C/G

Won’t catch me crying, no.

C/G Dm Dm

Won’t catch me showing any hurt.

I’m just a showboat.

Pretending I can stay afloat.

G C/G C/G

Pretending I’m not sinking over her.

[Verse 2]

C/G

And every time the sun goes down

C/G Dm Dm

I pray the sunlight takes the sound as well.

And in some new arms I lie

G C/G C/G

And I can keep the pain all to myself.

C/G

No light to see me shakin',

C/G

No sound to hear me breaking

C/G Dm Dm

No sound to hear the teardrops hit the floor

Which is why a guy who never cries

Looks up at the sky with tired eyes

G C/G C/G

Hoping when it finally rains, it pours.

[Chorus]

C/G

I’m just a showboat.

C/G

Won’t catch me crying, no.

C/G Dm Dm

Won’t catch me showing any hurt.

I’m just a showboat.

Pretending I can stay afloat.

G C/G C/G

Pretending I’m not sinking over her.

[Instrumental Break]

C/G C/G Dm Dm G G C/G C/G C/G C/G

[Verse 3]

C/G

Every time I think of her

C/G Dm Dm

I wonder if she ever thinks of me

Out all night and running wild

G C/G C/G

The latest styles, the greatest company

C/G

With laughter, lights and drinking

C/G

Trying hard to keep from thinking

C/G Dm Dm

And seeking for what he is searching for

Which is why a guy who never cries

Looks up at the sky with desperate eyes

G C/G C/G

Hoping when it finally rains it pours

[Bridge/Outro]

C/G

I’m just a showboat

C/G

Old King Thunderbolt

C/G

Mister Le Bon Temps Roll

The only dog in every fight

The only guy who dyna might

The only guy who never cries

C/G

He’s never lonesome all the time

See him dancing up on tables

C/G

Shawnas, Lisas, Ethels, Mabels

Though he looks a little tired

One eye always pointed skyward

Waiting for a drop of rain

To fall and help to hide the pain

To fall and help to lift the boat

So he can think he’s still afloat

Pretending he ain’t sinking, no

G C/G

Pretending he ain’t sinking over her

G C/G

Pretending he ain’t sinking over her

About Showboat Chords by Josh Ritter

Learn how to play Showboat by Josh Ritter with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Showboat chords”, “Showboat guitar chords”, or “Josh Ritter Showboat 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 Showboat chords and for experienced players who want accurate Showboat lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C/G, Dm, G, F.

FAQ — Showboat by Josh Ritter

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What key is "Showboat" in?

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