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The River

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
D/F#I'm walking down the empty D/Estreets we used D/Ato know
DWith all those tD/Aeenage dreams of Bmconquering the world
D/F#In between the boats along the Gquay
DSame old river staring back at Bmme
D/F#She's watching everybody come and D/Ago
DCarried D/Ghere then washGed away given to the flow
[Pre-Chorus]
But Devery time I go back Athere
I feel I'm winding up noGwhere
DWhy keep asking it to delAiver
When those days are way down the riGver
[Chorus]
DIt's gotta be time that I move Aon
The good old days they are long gGone
Let it cDarry me into the futuGre
AOut of the background
AInto the foreground
AGiving it all to the Driver
[Verse 2]
DSo meet me somewhere new on Gsome bright afterDnoon
When you have shed the skin that Bmholds me back from you
GOh everything you want was long Bmago
Carried off and washed away Ggiven to the flow
[Pre-Chorus]
AAnd eDvery time I go back tAhere
I feel I'm winding up noGwhere
DWhy keep asking it to delAiver
When those days are way down the riGver
[Chorus]
DIt's gotta be time that I move Aon
The good old days they are long gGone
Let it cDarry me into the futuGre
AOut of the background
AInto the foreground
AGiving it all to the Driver
[Bridge]
DThe river rolls on rolls on
BmForever rolls on rolls on
DThe river rolls on rolls on
BmForever rolls on rolls on
[Chorus]
DIt's gotta be time that I move Aon
The good old days they are long gGone
Let it cDarry me into the futuGre
AOut of the background
AInto the foreground
AGiving it all to the Driver
[Outro]
DThe river rolls on rolls on
BmForever rolls on rolls on
DThe river rolls on rolls on
BmForever rolls on rolls on

All chords in this song (8)

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The River

by Tom Chaplin

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

D/E

D/A

D/G

[Verse 1]

D/F# D/E D/A

I'm walking down the empty streets we used to know

D D/A Bm

With all those teenage dreams of conquering the world

D/F# G

In between the boats along the quay

D Bm

Same old river staring back at me

D/F# D/A

She's watching everybody come and go

D D/G G

Carried here then washed away given to the flow

[Pre-Chorus]

D A

But every time I go back there

I feel I'm winding up nowhere

D A

Why keep asking it to deliver

When those days are way down the river

[Chorus]

D A

It's gotta be time that I move on

The good old days they are long gone

D G

Let it carry me into the future

Out of the background

Into the foreground

A D

Giving it all to the river

[Verse 2]

D G D

So meet me somewhere new on some bright afternoon

When you have shed the skin that holds me back from you

G Bm

Oh everything you want was long ago

Carried off and washed away given to the flow

[Pre-Chorus]

A D A

And every time I go back there

I feel I'm winding up nowhere

D A

Why keep asking it to deliver

When those days are way down the river

[Chorus]

D A

It's gotta be time that I move on

The good old days they are long gone

D G

Let it carry me into the future

Out of the background

Into the foreground

A D

Giving it all to the river

[Bridge]

The river rolls on rolls on

Forever rolls on rolls on

The river rolls on rolls on

Forever rolls on rolls on

[Chorus]

D A

It's gotta be time that I move on

The good old days they are long gone

D G

Let it carry me into the future

Out of the background

Into the foreground

A D

Giving it all to the river

[Outro]

The river rolls on rolls on

Forever rolls on rolls on

The river rolls on rolls on

Forever rolls on rolls on

About The River Chords by Tom Chaplin

Learn how to play The River by Tom Chaplin with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The River chords”, “The River guitar chords”, or “Tom Chaplin The River 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 The River chords and for experienced players who want accurate The River lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D/F#, D/E, D/A, D, Bm, G.

FAQ — The River by Tom Chaplin

How do I play "The River" by Tom Chaplin on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The River" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The River"?

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

Is "The River" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The River" in?

The chords for "The River" show the original chord names (including D/F#, D/E, D/A, D, Bm, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.