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Alas I Cannot Swim

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Put a capo on relative to the pitch of your voice. I found it was fitting on 3rd.
[Verse 1]
There's a Ghouse across the river, but aClas I cannot Gswim
And a Ggarden of such beauty that the Dflowers seem to grin
There's a Ghouse across the river, but aClas I cannot Gswim
I'll Glive my life regretting that I Dnever jumped Gin
C G C G C G G
[Verse 2]
There's a Gboy across the river with Cshort black curly Ghair
He Gwants to be my lover, and I Dwant to be his peer
There's a Gboy across the river, but aClas I cannot Gswim
I Gnever will get to put my Darms around Ghim
C G C G C G G
[Verse 3]
There's a Glife across the river that was Cmeant for Gme
InGstead I live my life in constant Dmisery
There's a Glife across the river, but I Cdo not Gsee
Why GI should please those who will Dnever be Gpleased?
C G C G C G G
[Bridge]
There is Emgold across the river, but I Cdon't want Emnone
There is Emgold across the river, but I Cdon't want Gnone
Gold is Emfleeting, gold is Cfickle, gold is Gfun
Gold is Emfleeting, gold is Dfickle, gold is Gfun
[Outro Verse]
There is Ggold across the river, but I Cdon't want Gnone
I would Grather be dry than held up Dby a golden gun
Saying Gwork more, earn more, Clive more, have more Gfun
Saying Gwork more, earn more, Clive more, have more Gfun
Saying Gwork more, earn more, Clive more, have more Gfun
G(tGo CenGd the song strum each of these chords once)

All chords in this song (4)

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Alas I Cannot Swim

by Laura Marling

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Put a capo on relative to the pitch of your voice. I found it was fitting on 3rd.

[Verse 1]

G C G

There's a house across the river, but alas I cannot swim

G D

And a garden of such beauty that the flowers seem to grin

G C G

There's a house across the river, but alas I cannot swim

G D G

I'll live my life regretting that I never jumped in

C G C G C G G

[Verse 2]

G C G

There's a boy across the river with short black curly hair

G D

He wants to be my lover, and I want to be his peer

G C G

There's a boy across the river, but alas I cannot swim

G D G

I never will get to put my arms around him

C G C G C G G

[Verse 3]

G C G

There's a life across the river that was meant for me

G D

Instead I live my life in constant misery

G C G

There's a life across the river, but I do not see

G D G

Why I should please those who will never be pleased?

C G C G C G G

[Bridge]

Em C Em

There is gold across the river, but I don't want none

Em C G

There is gold across the river, but I don't want none

Em C G

Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun

Em D G

Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun

[Outro Verse]

G C G

There is gold across the river, but I don't want none

G D

I would rather be dry than held up by a golden gun

G C G

Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun

G C G

Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun

G C G

Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun

G G C G

(to end the song strum each of these chords once)

About Alas I Cannot Swim Chords by Laura Marling

Learn how to play Alas I Cannot Swim by Laura Marling with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Alas I Cannot Swim chords”, “Alas I Cannot Swim guitar chords”, or “Laura Marling Alas I Cannot Swim 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 Alas I Cannot Swim chords and for experienced players who want accurate Alas I Cannot Swim lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D, Em.

FAQ — Alas I Cannot Swim by Laura Marling

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Can I transpose "Alas I Cannot Swim" to a different key?

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Yes. Tap any chord in "Alas I Cannot Swim" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Alas I Cannot Swim" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Alas I Cannot Swim" in?

The chords for "Alas I Cannot Swim" show the original chord names (including G, C, D, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.