The Whirlpool
View chords used in this chart
Afinação: E A D G B ETecla: GCapotraste: Sem capotraste
[Intro]
Am D
D C G
[Verse 1]
G C D
1 year of lockdown, 3 years being not a man
G C D
20 years before denying everything I can
Am C D
I look at photographs and can’t say who I was
G C D
I’ve driven straight through hell til I could reach the shore
D C D
I never want to go back anymore
G C D
Closing on a decade stepping out of mental fuzz
G C D
Strap on my bathing suit but hesitate because
Am C D
There’s a whirlpool in the lake I can’t define
G C D
But I don’t need to swim, I left my past behind
Am D
The folks who dared to swim say that it’s fine
[Chorus]
C G
Step into the rapids so my trans ancestors say
D Em
It takes a little practice but you’ll be a girl someday
C G
There’s my reflection in the waves, she’s laughing happily
Am D
Maybe I’ll dip my toes in just to see
D C G
If there’s a better way of being me
[Verse 2]
G C D
Sit on the beach, sunbathe, and read a book or three
G C D
There’s nothing wrong with avoiding complexity
Am C D
I hear the siren song over the words I’ve read
G C D
But the worst of my dysphoria is gone with just the sand
D C D
Easier to stay stuck on dry land
G C D
I’ve suddenly stopped reading, and the whirlpool lies ahead
G C D
The waves dance playfully, a story yet unread
Am C D
It’s beautiful and messy and it feels so far away
G C D
Three steps from the whirlpool I’m afraid
Am D
The folks who dared to swim say it’s okay
[Chorus]
C G
Step into the rapids so my trans ancestors say
D Em
It takes a little practice but you’ll be a girl someday
C G
There’s my reflection in the waves, she’s laughing happily
Am D
Maybe I’ll walk a bit in just to see
D C G
If there’s a better way of being me
[Verse 3]
G C D
A little envy saved for those who came before
G C D
They’re magic in the way I want to be them all the more
Am C D
For friends who cared to guide me I can’t give quite enough thanks
G C D
I’ve come this far to stop being a boy
D C D
Don’t I want to meet them in their joy?
G C D
It feels so easy to just wallow in my angst
G C D
But the water’s warm and maybe I could join their ranks
Am C D
I either want to run or know it’s something that I crave
G C D
When did I step into the waves?
Am D
The folks who dared to swim say that I’m safe
[Chorus]
C G
Step into the rapids so my trans ancestors say
D Em
It takes a little practice but you’ll be a girl someday
C G
There’s my reflection in the waves, she’s laughing happily
Am D
Maybe I’ll swim a few laps just to see
D C G
If there’s a better way of being me
[Verse 4]
G C D
Now I see the whirlpool was always made for me
G C D
Big enough to hold all the new femininity
Am C D
I don’t think I was ever really on the shore
G C D
But now I know where I can be
D C D
What was I scared of in the sea?
G C D
Welcome to the world, quenching years of internal war
G C D
Always walking for the whirlpool, now I see its floor
Am C D
There’s no distinction between land and the unknown
G C D
No longer quite so monochrome
Am D
The folks who dared to swim say welcome home
[Chorus]
C G
Step into the rapids so my trans ancestors say
D Em
It takes a little practice but you’ll be a girl someday
C G
There’s my reflection in the waves, she’s laughing happily
Am D
And I didn’t know that I wanted to be
C G
Step into the rapids so my trans ancestors say
D Em
It takes a little practice but you’ll be a girl someday
C G
There’s my new body in the waves, she’s laughing happily
Am D
Dive into the whirlpool cause I see
D C G
That she’s a better way of being me
How to play The Whirlpool
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 E. 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.