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The Dutchman

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Cmajor

90BPM

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CThe Dutchman's not the kind of man 
Who keeps his thumb jammed in the dam 
DmThat holds his dreams in, 
GBut that's a secret that only CMargaret knows. 
CWhen Amsterdam is golden in the summer, 
Margaret brings him breakfast, 
DmShe believes him. 
GHe thinks the tulips bloom bCeneath the snow. 
He's mad as Fhe can be, but GMargaret only Csees that CsoBmetiAmmes, 
Sometimes she Fsees her unborn Gchildren in his Ceyes. 
Chorus:
Let us Fgo to the banks of the Emocean 
Where the wFalls rise abGove the Zuider ZCee. 
Long DmagoA, I Gused to be a Cyoung man C  B  Am  
And dear FMargaret reGmembers that for Cme.
CThe Dutchman still wears wooden shoes, 
His cap and coat are patched with the love 
DmThat Margaret sewed there. 
GSometimes he thinks he's still in CRotterdam. 
CAnd he watches the tug-boats down canals 
An' calls out to them when he thinks he Dmknows the Captain. 
Till GMargaret comes 
To take him Chome again 
Through unforDmgiving streets that Gtrip him, CthCough she ChoBlds his AmarmA, 
Sometimes he Fthinks he's Galone and he calls her Cname. 
CThe winters whirl the windmills 'round 
She winds his muffler tighter 
And they Dmsit in the kitchen. 
GSome tea with whiskey keeps away the Cdew. 
CAnd he sees her for a moment, calls her name, 
She makes the bed up singing Dmsome old love song, 
GA song Margaret learned 
When it was Cvery new. 
He hums a Dmline or two, Gthey sing together Cin      C  CthBe    Amdark. 
The Dutchman Ffalls asleep and GMargaret blows Cthe candle out.

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C major

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The Dutchman

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The Dutchman

by Steve Goodman

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

The Dutchman's not the kind of man

Who keeps his thumb jammed in the dam

That holds his dreams in,

G C

But that's a secret that only Margaret knows.

When Amsterdam is golden in the summer,

Margaret brings him breakfast,

She believes him.

G C

He thinks the tulips bloom beneath the snow.

F G C C B Am

He's mad as he can be, but Margaret only sees that sometimes,

F G C

Sometimes she sees her unborn children in his eyes.

Chorus:

F Em

Let us go to the banks of the ocean

F G C

Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee.

Dm A G C C B Am

Long ago, I used to be a young man

F G C

And dear Margaret remembers that for me.

The Dutchman still wears wooden shoes,

His cap and coat are patched with the love

That Margaret sewed there.

G C

Sometimes he thinks he's still in Rotterdam.

And he watches the tug-boats down canals

An' calls out to them when he thinks he knows the Captain.

Till Margaret comes

To take him home again

Dm G C C C B Am A

Through unforgiving streets that trip him, though she holds his arm,

F G C

Sometimes he thinks he's alone and he calls her name.

The winters whirl the windmills 'round

She winds his muffler tighter

And they sit in the kitchen.

G C

Some tea with whiskey keeps away the dew.

And he sees her for a moment, calls her name,

She makes the bed up singing some old love song,

A song Margaret learned

When it was very new.

Dm G C C C B Am

He hums a line or two, they sing together in the dark.

F G C

The Dutchman falls asleep and Margaret blows the candle out.

About The Dutchman Chords by Steve Goodman

Learn how to play The Dutchman by Steve Goodman with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Dutchman chords”, “The Dutchman guitar chords”, or “Steve Goodman The Dutchman 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 Dutchman chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Dutchman lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Dm, G, F, B, Am.

FAQ — The Dutchman by Steve Goodman

How do I play "The Dutchman" by Steve Goodman on guitar?

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

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Dutchman"?

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

Is "The Dutchman" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Dutchman" by Steve Goodman with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Steve Goodman below.

What key is "The Dutchman" in?

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