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Boatman

Chords

4.69 votes

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Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

BOATMAN by Livingston Taylor and Maggie Taylor
Guitar capo 2
D(9)    xxo23o
G(9)    3xo2o3
E7sus   o2o23o
E7      o2o13o
[VERSE 1]
D(9)Hearts were exploding around us as
we drifted soutD/F#h down the bay.G(9)  
The gBm7ray up above and graE7susy down belE7ow
Em7left us with D/F#nothing to say.A7sus  A7  
So we D(9)drifted along in silence
till the tD/F#ickle of life trG(9)ickled in.
And the rBm7hythm began in the E7sushiss of the sE7and,
Em7we were catchD/F#ing fire again.A7sus  A  
[CHORUS]
G/DOh boDatman,  GI am the Driver,
G/DI am the mDountain A7susand   Athe Dsea.
G/DOh   Dboatman, Gtaker and DgiverA/C#,
Bm7Can you deliE7ver mEm7e?D/F#  G(9)  
G(9)I would forAever run freDe.G/D  D  
[VERSE 2]
Yeah, D(9)we finally caught up with legends,
we were walking aD/F#long side by siG(9)de.
We woBm7rked out a plan to go E7susout hand in E7hand,
Em7the long trail jD/F#ust wasn't that A7suswide.A7  
The D(9)water around us was freezing,
we just D(9)laughed and D/F#threw ourselves G(9)in.
And Bm7although we were old, the E7sussting of that E7cold
Em7pumped up the D/F#feeling, here it is A7susagain.A  
[CHORUS]
G/DOh boDatman,  GI am the Driver,
G/DI am the mDountain A7susand   Athe Dsea.
G/DOh   Dboatman, Gtaker and giDver,A/C#  
Bm7Can you deliE7ver mEm7e?D/F#  G(9)  
G(9)I would forAever run freDe.G/D  D  
[BRIDGE]
Oh, AI'm a B7message Ein a Abottle
Adrifting B7along on a Edeep A/Eblue Esea.
AWaiting fBor some foreEign Ashore,
Aready for B/Esomething tAo be.
[VERSE 3]
No D(9)longer afraid of falling,
we cut the D/F#strings to the G(9)sky.
We found Bm7lever ground and we E7susput ourselves E7down,
Em7amazing we all D/F#didn't A7susdie.A7  
We D(9)took each moment as given,
by second, by D/F#second they G(9)came.
The Bm7ice and the sun and the E7susthundering E7guns,
Em7good God I was D/F#finally A7sussane.A  
[CHORUS]
G/DOh boDatman,  GI am the Driver,
G/DI am the mDountain A7susand   Athe Dsea.
G/DOh   Dboatman, Gtaker and giDver,A/C#  
Bm7Can you deliE7ver mEm7e?A7sus  A  
G/DOh   Dholy roller,  GI am the Driver,
G/DI am the mDountain A7susand   Athe Dsea.
G/DOh   Dboatman, Gtaker and giDver,A/C#  
Bm7Can you deliE7ver mEm7e?D/F#  G(9)  
G(9)I would forAever run Dfree.

All chords in this song (19)

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Boatman

by James Taylor

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

D(9)

D/F#

G(9)

Bm7

E7sus

Em7

A7sus

G/D

A/C#

A/E

B/E

BOATMAN by Livingston Taylor and Maggie Taylor

Guitar capo 2

D(9) xxo23o

G(9) 3xo2o3

E7sus o2o23o

E7 o2o13o

[VERSE 1]

D(9)

Hearts were exploding around us as

D/F# G(9)

we drifted south down the bay.

Bm7 E7sus E7

The gray up above and gray down below

Em7 D/F# A7sus A7

left us with nothing to say.

D(9)

So we drifted along in silence

D/F# G(9)

till the tickle of life trickled in.

Bm7 E7sus E7

And the rhythm began in the hiss of the sand,

Em7 D/F# A7sus A

we were catching fire again.

[CHORUS]

G/D D G D

Oh boatman, I am the river,

G/D D A7sus A D

I am the mountain and the sea.

G/D D G D A/C#

Oh boatman, taker and giver,

Bm7 E7 Em7 D/F# G(9)

Can you deliver me?

G(9) A D G/D D

I would forever run free.

[VERSE 2]

D(9)

Yeah, we finally caught up with legends,

D/F# G(9)

we were walking along side by side.

Bm7 E7sus E7

We worked out a plan to go out hand in hand,

Em7 D/F# A7sus A7

the long trail just wasn't that wide.

D(9)

The water around us was freezing,

D(9) D/F# G(9)

we just laughed and threw ourselves in.

Bm7 E7sus E7

And although we were old, the sting of that cold

Em7 D/F# A7sus A

pumped up the feeling, here it is again.

[CHORUS]

G/D D G D

Oh boatman, I am the river,

G/D D A7sus A D

I am the mountain and the sea.

G/D D G D A/C#

Oh boatman, taker and giver,

Bm7 E7 Em7 D/F# G(9)

Can you deliver me?

G(9) A D G/D D

I would forever run free.

[BRIDGE]

A B7 E A

Oh, I'm a message in a bottle

A B7 E A/E E

drifting along on a deep blue sea.

A B E A

Waiting for some foreign shore,

A B/E A

ready for something to be.

[VERSE 3]

D(9)

No longer afraid of falling,

D/F# G(9)

we cut the strings to the sky.

Bm7 E7sus E7

We found lever ground and we put ourselves down,

Em7 D/F# A7sus A7

amazing we all didn't die.

D(9)

We took each moment as given,

D/F# G(9)

by second, by second they came.

Bm7 E7sus E7

The ice and the sun and the thundering guns,

Em7 D/F# A7sus A

good God I was finally sane.

[CHORUS]

G/D D G D

Oh boatman, I am the river,

G/D D A7sus A D

I am the mountain and the sea.

G/D D G D A/C#

Oh boatman, taker and giver,

Bm7 E7 Em7 A7sus A

Can you deliver me?

G/D D G D

Oh holy roller, I am the river,

G/D D A7sus A D

I am the mountain and the sea.

G/D D G D A/C#

Oh boatman, taker and giver,

Bm7 E7 Em7 D/F# G(9)

Can you deliver me?

G(9) A D

I would forever run free.

About Boatman Chords by James Taylor

Learn how to play Boatman by James Taylor with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Boatman chords”, “Boatman guitar chords”, or “James Taylor Boatman 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 Boatman chords and for experienced players who want accurate Boatman lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, E7, D(9), D/F#, G(9).

FAQ — Boatman by James Taylor

How do I play "Boatman" by James Taylor on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Boatman" by James Taylor 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 "Boatman" by James Taylor free?

Yes. The chords for "Boatman" by James Taylor are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Boatman" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Boatman"?

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

Is "Boatman" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Boatman" in?

The chords for "Boatman" show the original chord names (including D, G, E7, D(9), D/F#, G(9)). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.