O My Chesapeake
View chords used in this chart
C F
When I was a young man
C
I released my feet
Am
And they carried me strong
G
Across the trouble I'd meet
F
When without peace
C
When weary the most
Am
They'd head for the east
G C
And I'd sleep on the coast
[Verse 2]
C F
When the summer's was ripe
C
Come and knock on my door
Am
See my friends and their pipes
G
Sit upon my porch
F
Alive was the highway
C
The light was the bridge
Am
I got high in a way
G C
I haven't got since
[Chorus]
C
Oh my Chesapeake
G
Oh my Chesapeake
F
Forget all the things
C G
My soul does seek
C
The boy needs no dinner
F
When the tobacco is sweet
G C F G C
I'll sleep tonight on the Chesapeake
[Verse 3]
F C
We ran down our night in rundown hotels
Am G
With balcony cries and bottles and bells
F C
To abandoned weeks, to hangover days
Am G C
To not quit tomorrow what we could quit today
[Chorus]
C
Oh my Chesapeake
G
Oh my Chesapeake
F
Forget all the things
C G
My soul does seek
C
I guess the moment is best
F
When the moment is brief
G C F G Am F G Am F G Am D/F# G
I'll sleep tonight on the Chesapeake
[Verse 4]
C F C
And now every summer I hear no call
Am
If my friends are not lawyers
G
They don't work at all
F
You can call that man history
C
Who lives in the past
Am G C
Can you blame him for asking for something to last?
[Chorus]
C
Oh my Chesapeake
G
Oh my Chesapeake
F
Forget all the things
C G
My soul does seek
C
Another Sunday dead
F
Another needless week
G C
I'll sleep tonight upon the Chesapeake
F G C F G C
I'll sleep tonight upon the Chesapeake
How to play O My Chesapeake
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 C. 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.