Swimming Up Stream
View chords used in this chart
Intro: A D
verse 1
D
Well God Bless my daddy I learned so much from him
D7 A
You know he taught me at an early age how to sink or swim
A7 D D7 G
He said boy that ole river of life can wash away your dreams
D A D
So you gotta' keep right on kicking son swimmin' up stream
verse 2
D
Well before I knew it I was out there on the street
D7 A
That ole gal called Lady Luck she wasn't kind to me
A7 D D7 G
As a matter of fact you could say she was downright mean
D A D
She kept me in way over my head swimmin' up stream
[Refrão]
D
Swimmin' up stream swimmin' up stream
D7 A
Fightin' every inch of the way for a poor boy's dream
A7 D G
Things'll get rough times'll get lean
G7 D A D
But the only choice you got is to keep swimmin' up stream
Riff: D D7 A A7 D D7 G D A D
verse 3
D
Well the time I thought my ship was comin' in
A
That ole tide would turn an take it back out again
D D7 G
Well if I just lay back an float I'll be a troubled me
D A A7 D
So I gotta' keep workin' at kicking an swimmin' up stream
[Refrão]
D
Swimmin' up stream swimmin' up stream
D7 A
Fightin' every inch of the way for a poor boy's dream
A7 D D7 G
Things'll get rough times'll get lean
G7 D A D Bb
But the only choice you got's to keep swimmin' up stream
Outro
D#
Swimmin' up stream swimmin' up stream
D#7 Bb
Fightin' every inch of the way for a poor boy's dream
Bb7 D# D#7 G#
Things'll get rough times'll get lean
G#7 D# Bb D#
But the only choice you got's to keep swimmin' up stream
Bb
Yes you gotta' gotta' gotta' gotta' gotta'
D#
Keep swimmin' up stream
How to play Swimming Up Stream
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 A. 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.