Harlem River Blues Chords

Capo 3rd fret

Standard (EADGBE)

Intro

G G/C G G C G G/C G

Chorus

GLord, I'm goin' uptown to the CHarlem River to drown

GDirty water's gonna cover me over anDd I'm not gonna make Ga sound

Verse 1

GI'm on a roll, mama, I gotta go, I gotta Cget there while I still can

GTroubled days are behind me now and DI know they're gonna let me in [melody rises]

GSo when you see me walkin' up the empty yard, Cjust a-singin' and a-clappin' my hands

GTell my mama I love her, tell my father I tried, Dgive my money to my baby to GspenGd C G G/C G

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

GGood times come and they go, Ceven a good man'll break

GHe'll let his troubles bury him whole Deven though he knows what's at stake [melody rises]

GSo I'm taking no chances, carrying over Cwhile I'm still good in His grace

GI'm no fool, mama, I know the difference between Dtempting and choosing my GfateG C G G/C G

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