A Passing Ship
View chords used in this chart
CAPO: 4
Intro: G C/G G C/G G
verse 1:
C/G G
A passing ship, I have found the open ocean
C/G G D
Give me no lip, the waves roll by as I press on
C/G G D
A sunlit sea, on the first day in April
C/G G
How fresh the wind, will you miss me when I'm gone
verse 2:
C/G G
How many words, how many songs still unwritten
C/G G D
How many ships of the line have come and gone
C/G G D
In the good old days, may they never be forgotten
C/G G
They had heavy wind or they had no wind at all
Instrumental: G D F C G
verse 3:
C/G G
A passing ship, it is midnight on the ocean
C/G G D
Had a real long trip, I have been at sea all winter
C/G G D
When my ship came in, I was giving up the ghost
C/G G
I think I should be leaving those passing ships alone
verse 4:
C/G G
When the sea runs high, the sea runs wild and I'm unsteady
C/G G D
And I think of you, in the warmth of your home and family
C/G G D
When love is true, there is no truer occupation
C/G G
And may this gale, blow us to the ones we love
VERSE 5:
C/G G
Another day, another ocean
C/G G D
Give me no lip, but stand aside as I press on
C/G G D
A sunlit sea, on the last day in October
C/G G D
How fresh the wind, will you miss me from now on
C/G G
I guess I should be leaving passing ships alone
OUTRO: G D F C G
How to play A Passing Ship
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.