Harlem River Blues Chords
Harlem River Blues by Justin Townes Earle is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of G. It uses the chords G, G/C, C and D. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
INTRO: G G/C G G/C G G/C G
G C
Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
G D G
Dirty water's gonna cover me over and I'm not gonna make a sound
VERSE 1
G C
I'm on a roll, mama, I gotta go, I gotta get there while I still can
G D
Troubled days are behind me now and I know they're gonna let me in melody rises
G C
So when you see me walkin' up the empty yard, just a-singin' and a-clappin' my hands
G D G G/C G G/C G
Tell my mama I love her, tell my father I tried, give my money to my baby to spend
CHORUS
'cause Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water's gonna cover me over and I'm not gonna make a sound
VERSE 2
G C
Good times come and they go, even a good man'll break
G D
He'll let his troubles bury him whole even though he knows what's at stake melody rises
G C
So I'm taking no chances, carrying over while I'm still good in His grace
G D G G/C G G/C G
I'm no fool, mama, I know the difference between tempting and choosing my fate
CHORUS
'cause Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water's gonna cover me over and I'm not gonna make a sound
Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over and I'm not gonna make a sound
No chords, or just lightly only strummed on last chorus
Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over and I'm not gonna make a sound