Hard Working Boater
View chords used in this chart
[Intro ]
|{Em} {C}|{G} D |
{Em} {C}|{G} D Em |
[Verso 1]
Em C
I'm a hard-working boater and sharp as a knife
G Dsus4 D
And I worked on the junctionfor most of mylife
Em C
With a pair of steel boats,seven kids and a wife
G D Em
And I fancy I'll carry on boating
Em C
I've fought with my windlass and taken some knocks
G Dsus4 D
From the Birmingham wharves to the Weston Point Docks
Em C
And I've fought for my turn on the Camden Town Locks
G D Em
When I'm wanted in Limehouse for loading
[Verso 2]
Em C
Myself and the missus have nearly been drowned
G Dsus4 D
While working by night on the fifteen-mile pound
Em C
With a big load of spelter for Birmingham bound
G D Em
And the weather has been pretty bloody
Em G A D
I've been down to Oxford with a load of D.S.
Em Bm D
Fifty ton ten on the Griff Arm, no less
Em C
And I've boated to Wellingboro, two boats abreast
G D Em
When the water's been coming down floody
{Instrumental}
|{Em} {C}|{G} D |{Em} {C}|{G} D Em |
|{Em} A {D}|{Em} Bm {D}|{Em} {C}|{G} D Em |
[Verso 3]
Em C
You can talk of your rail and your old Highway Code
G Dsus4 D
But there's nowt like a pair with a fifty-ton load
Em C
When the butty swims well and you get a good road
G D Em
Right over the Cowroast to Leighton
Em G A D
So wind up your motor and let your blades churn
Em Bm D
Keep a close eye on the oil that you burn
Em C
And feel for the snatch of the butty astern
G D Em
And don't keep the company waiting
G D Em
Oh, don't keep the company waiting
How to play Hard Working Boater
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 Em. 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.