The Ways Of Man
View chords used in this chart
G D/F# G
The ways of man are passing strange
C D Em
He buys his freedom and he counts his change
D C G G/F# Em
Then he lets the wind his days arrange
G Am Em7 C Em7 D/F#
And he calls the tide his master
G D/F# G
(Chorus) Oh the days, oh the days
C D Em
Oh the fine long summer days
Em D C G G/F# Em
The fish come rolling in the bays
G Am Em7 C Em7
And he swore he'd never leave me
D/F# G D/F# G
But the days grow short and the year gets old
C D Em
And the fish won't stay where the water's cold
D C G G/F# Em
And if they're going to fill the hold
G Am Em7 C
They've got to go offshore to find them
D/F# G D/F# G
So they go outside on the raving deep
C D Em
And they pray the Lord their soul to keep
Em D C G G/F# Em
But the waves will roll them all to sleep
G Am Em7 C
And the tide will be their keeper
D/F# G D/F# G
Oh the tide, oh the tide
C D Em
Oh you dark and you bitter tide
Em D C G G/F# G
If I can't have him by my side
G Am Em7 C
I guess I have to leave him
D/F# G D/F# G
I gave you one, I gave you two
C D Em
The best that rotten old boat could do
D C G G/F# Em
You wont be happy till I give you three
G Am Em7 C
But I'll be damned if you'll get me
D/F# G D/F# G
Oh the tide, oh the tide,
C D Em
Oh you dark and you bitter tide
Em D C G G/F# Em
If I can't have him by my side
G Am Em7 C
The water's welcome to him
D/F# G D/F# G
Oh Lord I know that the day will come
C D Em
When one less boat comes slogging home
Em D C G G/F# Em
I don't mind knowing that he'll be the one
G Am Em7 C
But I can't spend my whole life praying
D/F# G D/F# G
I gave you one, I gave you two
C D Em
The best that poor old boat could do
D C G G/F# Em
You'd have it all before you're through
G Am Em7 C
Well I've got no more to give you
D/F# G D/F# G
The ways of man are passing strange
C D Em
He buys his freedom and he counts his change
Em D C G G/F# Em
Then he lets the wind his days arrange
G Am Em7 C
And he calls the tide his master
How to play The Ways Of Man
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.