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Boatman

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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.

Boatman chords and lyrics

Free chords for Boatman by James Taylor. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

BOATMAN by Livingston Taylor and Maggie Taylor
Guitar capo 2
D(9)    xxo23o
G(9)    3xo2o3
E7sus   o2o23o
E7      o2o13o
[VERSE 1]
[CHORUS]
[VERSE 2]
[CHORUS]
[BRIDGE]
[VERSE 3]
[CHORUS]

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).

Frequently asked questions about Boatman

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.