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A Great Northern River

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90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Normal Tuning
the big ships sAmail up, the big ships sail dFown
a great northern Dmriver
funnels of rAmed, funnels of blFack
banded with yellow and silDmver
bringing in cCargos of oil and woFod
taking home girders of steel and pig Amiron
oh, coloured fAmaces, flags from all placFes
high from the sternposts are flDmying
down on the doAmcks, down on the wharFves
lofty cranes standDming
stevedores worAmking and rivermen shoutiFng
crews making ready for LDmondon
ropes black and tCarry
chains rusty and rFed
lay among timber and bollards and paAmcking
seagulls wheel oAmver wild river catFs
down on the jetties are watchCming
[Interlude]
Am    F      Dm
Am    F      Dm
C     F
Am
Am    F      Dm
nights by the dAmocks, packed smoky pFubs
plenty of shouting and sDmwearing
heavy brown aAmle, thick muddy stoFut,
and nobody's cDmaring
a lass starts to Cwarble a popular soFng
they're throwing her pennies and pieces of Amsilver
closing time cAmalled, silence then fFalls
on a great northern rDmiver 

All chords in this song (5)

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A Great Northern River

by The Unthanks

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Normal Tuning

Am F

the big ships sail up, the big ships sail down

a great northern river

Am F

funnels of red, funnels of black

banded with yellow and silver

C F

bringing in cargos of oil and wood

taking home girders of steel and pig iron

Am F

oh, coloured faces, flags from all places

high from the sternposts are flying

Am F

down on the docks, down on the wharves

lofty cranes standing

Am F

stevedores working and rivermen shouting

crews making ready for London

ropes black and tarry

chains rusty and red

lay among timber and bollards and packing

Am F

seagulls wheel over wild river cats

down on the jetties are watching

[Interlude]

Am F Dm

C F

Am F Dm

Am F

nights by the docks, packed smoky pubs

plenty of shouting and swearing

Am F

heavy brown ale, thick muddy stout,

and nobody's caring

C F

a lass starts to warble a popular song

they're throwing her pennies and pieces of silver

Am F

closing time called, silence then falls

on a great northern river

About A Great Northern River Chords by The Unthanks

Learn how to play A Great Northern River by The Unthanks with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Great Northern River chords”, “A Great Northern River guitar chords”, or “The Unthanks A Great Northern 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 A Great Northern River chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Great Northern River lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, F, Dm, C, Cm.

FAQ — A Great Northern River by The Unthanks

How do I play "A Great Northern River" by The Unthanks on guitar?

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Are the chords for "A Great Northern River" by The Unthanks free?

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Can I transpose "A Great Northern River" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "A Great Northern River"?

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

Is "A Great Northern River" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "A Great Northern River" by The Unthanks with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Unthanks below.

What key is "A Great Northern River" in?

The chords for "A Great Northern River" show the original chord names (including Am, F, Dm, C, Cm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.