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Amsterdam

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(Port of) AMSTERDAM
Written by Jacques Brel (original lyrics in French, English by David Bowie – 1972)
As performed by David Bowie
[Verse 1]
Am                                 Em
In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who sings
       F                              E
Of the dreams that he brings from the wide open sea
       Am                          Em
In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who sleeps
          Dm         E                  Am
While the river bank weeps to the old willow tree
       C                           G          E
In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who dies
        Am                      Em            E
Full of beer, full of cries in a drunken town fight
       F                           E
In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who's born
     Dm        E           Am
On a hot muggy morn by the dawn's early light
[Instrumental]
Am
[Verse 2]
       Am                          Em
In the port of Amsterdam where the sailors all meet
          F                    E
There's a sailor who eats only fish heads and tails
          Am                           Em
And he'll show you his teeth that have rotted too soon
         Dm          E              Am
That can haul up the sails that can swallow the moon
       C                          G         E
And he yells to the cook with his arms open wide
     Am                           Em         E
Hey, bring me more fish, throw it down by my side
       F                          E
And he wants so to belch but he's too full to try
      Dm            E             Am
So he stands up and laughs and he zips up his fly
[Verse 3]
Am                                      Em
In the port of Amsterdam you can see sailors dance
         F                              E
Paunches bursting their pants, grinding women to porch
           Am                         Em
They've forgotten the tune that their whiskey voice croaked
Dm            E              Am
Splitting the night with the roar of their jokes
         C                            G              E
And they turn and they dance and they laugh and they lust
         Am                    Em      E
Till the rancid sound of the accordion bursts
         F                           E
And then out of the night with their pride in their pants
        Dm              E        Am
And the sluts that they tow underneath the street lamps
[Verse 4]
       Am                          Em
In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who drinks
       F                           E
And he drinks and he drinks and he drinks once again
      Am                         Em
He'll drink to the health of the whores of Amsterdam
       Dm          E           Am
Who've given their bodies to a thousand other men
              C                             G            E
Yeah, they've bargained their virtue, their goodness all gone
      Am                       Em            E
For a few dirty coins, well he just can't go on
           F                      E
Throws his nose to the sky and he aims it up above
       Dm            E          Am
And he pisses like I cry on the unfaithful love
       Am                        Em
In the port of Amsterdam, in the port of Amsterdam
F  E  Am  E Am

Amsterdam chords and lyrics

Free chords for Amsterdam by David Bowie. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

(Port of) AMSTERDAM
Written by Jacques Brel (original lyrics in French, English by David Bowie – 1972)
As performed by David Bowie
[Verse 1]
[Instrumental]
Am
[Verse 2]
[Verse 3]
[Verse 4]
F  E  Am  E Am

Amsterdam Chords by David Bowie

Learn how to play Amsterdam by David Bowie with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Amsterdam chords”, “Amsterdam guitar chords”, or “David Bowie Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam chords and for experienced players who want accurate Amsterdam lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, Em, F, E, Dm, C.

Frequently asked questions about Amsterdam

How do I play "Amsterdam" by David Bowie on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Amsterdam" by David Bowie 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 "Amsterdam" by David Bowie free?

Yes. The chords for "Amsterdam" by David Bowie are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Amsterdam" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Amsterdam"?

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

Is "Amsterdam" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Amsterdam" in?

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