The Swimming Song
View chords used in this chart
(G D Em C D Em D G)
G
This summer I went swimming
D Em
This summer I might've drowned
Em C
But I held my breath and I kicked my feet
D Em
And I moved my arms around
D G
Moved my arms around
This summer I swam in the ocean
Then I swam in a swimming pool
Salt my wounds, chlorine my eyes
I'm a self-destructive fool
A self-destructive fool
(Banjo break)
This summer I did the backstroke
And you know that that's not all
I did the breaststroke, and the butterfly
And the old Australian crawl
The old Australian crawl
This summer I swam in a public place
And a reservoir to boot
At the latter I was informal
at the former I wore my suit
I wore my swimming suit
(Banjo break)
This summer I did swan-dives
And jack-knives for you all
And once when you weren't looking
I did a cannonball
I did a cannonball
This summer I went swimming
This summer I might've drowned
But I held my breath and I kicked my feet
And I moved my arms around
Moved my arms around
(Fiddle solo)
How to play The Swimming Song
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.