Rum Runners
View chords used in this chart
C
Here is a taste of the great rum runners
Am
Ships that sailed the velvet harbor
C
Crews that broke the jugs and poured your blood
G Am
Like flowing rum upon the sand
Am
Sinking down, down, down
G
Upon the sand, upon the sea
Am
Upon the hills of liquid green
G
They rise to fall, they rise again
C/G G Am
Their dreams tattered sails in the wind
C
Here is a wail of a lone flute playing
Am
Those not hanged, by time were slain
C
Here is a cup of blood and tears
G Am
Here is the wail of a hundred years
Am
Sinking down, down, down
G
Upon the sand, upon the sea
Am
Upon the hills of liquid green
G
They rise to fall, they rise again
C/G G Am
Their dreams tattered sails in the wind
C
Overnight they turned to water
Am
No blood rang when they went to slaughter
C
Tears were few, though sighs were heavy
G Am
Bones were stacked in the main library
Instrumental
C Am C G Am
Am
Turning down, down, down
G
Till their dreams are touching ground
Am
Rising up like gentle rain
G
They turn to rise and fall again
C
Running round and changing faces
Am
Marking time and keeping paces
C
Ducking down awhile to die
G Am
Their faces melt to barren sky
C
After all the trial and fury
Am
They spared the judge and hanged the jury
C
No one asked the reason why
G Am
Sentence passed they turned to die
Am
Turning down, down, down
G
Till their dreams are touching ground
Am
Rising up like gentle rain
G
They turn to rise and fall again
C/G G Am
Their dreams tattered sails in the wind
C
Here is fire and bloody slaughter
Am
Written on the leaves of water
C
Here is a ship with all hands singing
Am
Here is a dock with dark men swinging
Am
Down, down, down
G
Upon the sand, upon the sea
Am
Upon the hills of liquid green
G
They rise to fall, they rise again
C/G G Am
Their dreams tattered sails in the wind
C
Here is a taste of the great rum runners
Am
Ships that sailed the velvet harbor
C
Crews that broke the jugs and poured your blood
G Am
Like flowing rum upon the sand
Am
Sinking down, down, down
G
Upon the sand, upon the sea
Am
Upon the hills of liquid green
G
They rise to fall, they rise again
C/G G Am
Their dreams tattered sails in the wind
C/G G Am
Their dreams tattered sails in the wind
How to play Rum Runners
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.