Sweet Thames Flow Softly-Lyrics And Chords
Sweet Thames Flow Softly is a beautifully poetic song written by Ewan MacColl in 1960. It tells the story of a love affair that takes place along the River Thames in London. The song blends themes of romance and the passage of time with the changing landscape of the river.
The lyrics follow a romantic journey along the river, filled with imagery of nature and blooming love. As the verses progress, there’s a bittersweet undertone—hinting that the love has been lost or has faded, while the river flows on unchanged. The song uses the Thames as a metaphor for time, life, and the constancy of nature, in contrast to the fleeting nature of human relationships.
Overall, Sweet Thames Flow Softly is both a celebration of love and a reflection on its impermanence, wrapped in the beauty of poetic imagery and melody. It captures the romantic yet melancholic spirit of folk music and remains a favorite for its timeless, lyrical storytelling.
The lyrics follow a romantic journey along the river, filled with imagery of nature and blooming love. As the verses progress, there’s a bittersweet undertone—hinting that the love has been lost or has faded, while the river flows on unchanged. The song uses the Thames as a metaphor for time, life, and the constancy of nature, in contrast to the fleeting nature of human relationships.
Overall, Sweet Thames Flow Softly is both a celebration of love and a reflection on its impermanence, wrapped in the beauty of poetic imagery and melody. It captures the romantic yet melancholic spirit of folk music and remains a favorite for its timeless, lyrical storytelling.
Sweet Thames Flow Softly-Lyrics And Chords by Ewan McColl. Recorded by Christy Moore. Sheet music notes included.
Ewan McColl is as famous in Ireland as he's in Britain, mainly for his songwriting of Dirty Old Town Song and because he was the father of Kirsty McColl.
Ewan McColl is as famous in Ireland as he's in Britain, mainly for his songwriting of Dirty Old Town Song and because he was the father of Kirsty McColl.
[G]I met my girl at [D]Woolwich Pier be[G]neath the [C]big crane [G]standing
And all the love I[D] felt for her it[G] passed all [D]under[G]standing
Took her sailing [C]on the river,[G] flow [D]sweet [G]river [D]flow
[G]London town was [C]mine to give her, [G]sweet [D]Thames flow [C]soft[C]ly
[D]Made the Thames in[D7]to a crown,[C] flow[G] [D]sweet river flow
Made a brooch of [D7]Silver town,[C] sweet [G]Thames flow [D7]soft[G]ly
At London Yard I held her hand, at Blackwell Point I faced her
At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth and tenderly embraced her
Heard the bells of Greenwich ringing, flow sweet river flow
All the time my heart was singing, sweet Thames flow softly
Limehouse Reach I gave her there, flow sweet river flow
As a ribbon for her hair, sweet Thames flow softly
From Putney Bridge to Nine Elms Reach we cheek to cheek were dancing
A necklace made of London Bridge her beauty was enhancing
Kissed her once again at Wapping, flow sweet river flow
After that there was no stopping, sweet Thames flow softly
Gave her Hampton Court to twist, flow sweet river flow
Into a bracelet for her wrist, sweet Thames flow softly
But now, alas, the tide has changed, my love she has gone from me
And winter's frost has touched my heart and put a blight upon me
Creeping fog is on the river, flow sweet river flow
Sun and moon and stars gone with her, sweet Thames flow softly
Swift the Thames runs to the sea, flow sweet river flow
Bearing ships and part of me, sweet Thames flow softly
And all the love I[D] felt for her it[G] passed all [D]under[G]standing
Took her sailing [C]on the river,[G] flow [D]sweet [G]river [D]flow
[G]London town was [C]mine to give her, [G]sweet [D]Thames flow [C]soft[C]ly
[D]Made the Thames in[D7]to a crown,[C] flow[G] [D]sweet river flow
Made a brooch of [D7]Silver town,[C] sweet [G]Thames flow [D7]soft[G]ly
At London Yard I held her hand, at Blackwell Point I faced her
At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth and tenderly embraced her
Heard the bells of Greenwich ringing, flow sweet river flow
All the time my heart was singing, sweet Thames flow softly
Limehouse Reach I gave her there, flow sweet river flow
As a ribbon for her hair, sweet Thames flow softly
From Putney Bridge to Nine Elms Reach we cheek to cheek were dancing
A necklace made of London Bridge her beauty was enhancing
Kissed her once again at Wapping, flow sweet river flow
After that there was no stopping, sweet Thames flow softly
Gave her Hampton Court to twist, flow sweet river flow
Into a bracelet for her wrist, sweet Thames flow softly
But now, alas, the tide has changed, my love she has gone from me
And winter's frost has touched my heart and put a blight upon me
Creeping fog is on the river, flow sweet river flow
Sun and moon and stars gone with her, sweet Thames flow softly
Swift the Thames runs to the sea, flow sweet river flow
Bearing ships and part of me, sweet Thames flow softly
Guitar chords for the key of D
[D]I met my girl at [A]Woolwich Pier be[D]neath the [G]big crane [D]standing
And all the love I[A] felt for her it[D] passed all [A]under[D]standing
Took her sailing [G]on the river,[D] flow [A]sweet [D]river [A]flow
[D]London town was [G]mine to give her, [D]sweet [A]Thames flow [G]soft[G]ly
[A]Made the Thames in[A7]to a crown,[G] flow[D] [A]sweet river flow
Made a brooch of [A7]Silver town,[G] sweet [D]Thames flow [A7]soft[D]ly
[D]I met my girl at [A]Woolwich Pier be[D]neath the [G]big crane [D]standing
And all the love I[A] felt for her it[D] passed all [A]under[D]standing
Took her sailing [G]on the river,[D] flow [A]sweet [D]river [A]flow
[D]London town was [G]mine to give her, [D]sweet [A]Thames flow [G]soft[G]ly
[A]Made the Thames in[A7]to a crown,[G] flow[D] [A]sweet river flow
Made a brooch of [A7]Silver town,[G] sweet [D]Thames flow [A7]soft[D]ly
🎸 **Key:** G Major
🪘 **Time Signature:** 3/4 (Waltz)
🎵 **Tempo:** ~72 bpm — slow and flowing
---
### 🎸 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel)
> **Pattern:** ↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
> Count: 1 2& 3&
> - Bass note on beat 1
> - Soft strums on beats 2 & 3
> - Keep a gentle, swaying rhythm like a slow river
---
### 🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern (Optional)
> **Pattern (per bar):** p – i – m – a – m – i
> - Play thumb on bass note, fingers up across G–B–E strings.
> - Ideal for verses — keeps the accompaniment smooth and melodic.
---
## 🎵 Verse 1
**[G]I met my girl at [D]Woolwich Pier be[G]neath the [C]big crane [G]standing**
```
G D G
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
```
---
**And all the love I [D]felt for her it [G]passed all [D]under[G]standing**
```
D G D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**Took her sailing [C]on the river, [G]flow [D]sweet [G]river [D]flow**
```
C G D
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**[G]London town was [C]mine to give her, [G]sweet [D]Thames flow [C]soft[C]ly**
```
G C G
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
```
---
**[D]Made the Thames in [D7]to a crown, [C]flow [G][D]sweet river flow**
```
D D7 C
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**Made a brooch of [D7]Silver town, [C]sweet [G]Thames flow [D7]soft [G]ly**
```
D7 C G
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
```
---
### 💡 Playing Tips
- For **fingerpicking verses**, focus on a gentle, even pulse (1-2-3).
- Strum lightly on choruses with a **down-down-up** waltz feel.
- Add hammer-ons on the **G→C transitions** for a sweet river-like flow.
- On the lyric “**sweet Thames flow softly**,” let the **final G chord ring out** warmly.
🪘 **Time Signature:** 3/4 (Waltz)
🎵 **Tempo:** ~72 bpm — slow and flowing
---
### 🎸 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel)
> **Pattern:** ↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
> Count: 1 2& 3&
> - Bass note on beat 1
> - Soft strums on beats 2 & 3
> - Keep a gentle, swaying rhythm like a slow river
---
### 🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern (Optional)
> **Pattern (per bar):** p – i – m – a – m – i
> - Play thumb on bass note, fingers up across G–B–E strings.
> - Ideal for verses — keeps the accompaniment smooth and melodic.
---
## 🎵 Verse 1
**[G]I met my girl at [D]Woolwich Pier be[G]neath the [C]big crane [G]standing**
```
G D G
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
```
---
**And all the love I [D]felt for her it [G]passed all [D]under[G]standing**
```
D G D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**Took her sailing [C]on the river, [G]flow [D]sweet [G]river [D]flow**
```
C G D
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**[G]London town was [C]mine to give her, [G]sweet [D]Thames flow [C]soft[C]ly**
```
G C G
e|---------3-----------3-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----0-----------0---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------2-----------2---|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
```
---
**[D]Made the Thames in [D7]to a crown, [C]flow [G][D]sweet river flow**
```
D D7 C
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**Made a brooch of [D7]Silver town, [C]sweet [G]Thames flow [D7]soft [G]ly**
```
D7 C G
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|
B|-----1-----------1---------------|-----1-----------1---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|-----------------2-----------2---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|
```
---
### 💡 Playing Tips
- For **fingerpicking verses**, focus on a gentle, even pulse (1-2-3).
- Strum lightly on choruses with a **down-down-up** waltz feel.
- Add hammer-ons on the **G→C transitions** for a sweet river-like flow.
- On the lyric “**sweet Thames flow softly**,” let the **final G chord ring out** warmly.
The River Thames London
