The River

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Acoustic Ballad Interpretation
by Buenofine Dayao Calse
[Intro]
G A G A G A G A D Dsus2 D
[Verse 1]
D Dsus2D G D
()
You know a dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows.
G D/F# Em A
And a dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes
D
Trying to learn from what's behind him
Bm G
And never knowing what's in store
D
Makes each day a constant battle
A D
Just to stay between the shores.
[Chorus 1]
D Dsus2D G D
()
And I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry,
G D/F# Em A
Like a bird upon the wind these waters are my sky
D G
I'll never reach my destination if I never try
D A D Dsus2 D
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.
[Verse 2]
D Dsus2D G D
()
Too many times we stand aside and let the waters slip away
G D/F# Em A
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow has now become today
D Bm G
So don't you sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied
D A D
Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide.
[Chorus 2]
D Dsus2D G D
()
And I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry,
G D/F# Em A
Like a bird upon the wind these waters are my sky
D G
I'll never reach my destination if I never try
D A D Dsus2 D
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.
[Bridge]
D Dsus2 D Bm G
And there's bound to be rough waters
D G
And I know I'll take some falls
Em D/F#
But with the good Lord as my captain
G A
(changing key into E)
I can make it through them all...
[Final Chorus]
(no chords played or single strum on each chord during the first 2 lines)
E A E
() () ()
And I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry,
A E/G# F#m B
() () () ()
Like a bird upon the wind these waters are my sky
E A
I'll never reach my destination if I never try
E B E A
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.
E
Yes, I will sail my vessel
B A
'Til the river runs dry...
E
'Til the river runs dry.

The River chords and lyrics

Free chords for The River by Garth Brooks. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Acoustic Ballad Interpretation
by Buenofine Dayao Calse
[Intro]
G    A G    A G    A G     A D Dsus2 D
[Verse 1]
[Chorus 1]
[Verse 2]
[Chorus 2]
[Bridge]
[Final Chorus] 
(no chords played or single strum on each chord during the first 2 lines)

The River Chords by Garth Brooks

Learn how to play The River by Garth Brooks with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The River chords”, “The River guitar chords”, or “Garth Brooks The 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 The River chords and for experienced players who want accurate The River lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, A, D, Dsus2, D/F#, Em.

Frequently asked questions about The River

How do I play "The River" by Garth Brooks on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The River" by Garth Brooks 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 "The River" by Garth Brooks free?

Yes. The chords for "The River" by Garth Brooks are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

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

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The River"?

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

Is "The River" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "The River" in?

The chords for "The River" show the original chord names (including G, A, D, Dsus2, D/F#, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.