The Dutchman - John Gorka

Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E) Intro: C D C Verse 1: C The Dutchman's not the kind of man C Who keeps his thumb jammed in the dam Dm That holds his dreams in, G C F C But that's a secret that only Margaret knows. C When Amsterdam is golden in the summer, C Margaret brings him breakfast, Dm She believes him. G C He thinks the tulips bloom beneath the snow.

Pre-Chorus: Dm G C Am He's mad as he can be, but Margaret only sees that sometimes, Dm G F C Sometimes she sees her unborn children in his eyes. Chorus: F G C Let us go to the banks of the ocean Dm G C Am Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee. Dm G C Am Long ago, I used to be a young man Dm G C Now dear Margaret remembers that for me. {Instrumental] C Verse 2: C The Dutchman still wears wooden shoes, C His cap and coat are patched with the love Dm That Margaret sewed there. G C F C Sometimes he thinks he's still in Rotterdam. C He watches the tug-boats down canals C Dm Calls out to them when he thinks he knows the Captain. G C Till Margaret comes to take him home again Pre-Chorus: Dm G C Am Through unforgiving streets that trip him, though she holds his arm, Dm G F C Sometimes he thinks he's alone and he calls her name. Chorus: F G C Am Let us go to the banks of the ocean Dm G C Am Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee. Dm G C Am Long ago, I used to be a young man Dm G F C Now dear Margaret remembers that for me. {Instrumental] C Verse 3: C The windmills whirl the winter in C She winds his muffler tighter Dm As they sit in the kitchen. G C Some tea with whiskey keeps away the dew. C He sees her for a moment, calls her name out, Dm While she makes the bed up singing some old love song, G C A song Margaret learned when it was very new. Pre-Chorus: Dm G C Am He hums a line or two, they sing together in the dark. Dm G F C The Dutchman falls asleep and Margaret blows the candle out. Chorus: F G C Let us go to the banks of the ocean Dm G C Am Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee. Dm G C Am Long ago, I used to be a young man Dm G F C Now dear Margaret remembers that for me. Chorus: F G C Am Let us go to the banks of the ocean Dm G C Am Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee. Dm G C Am Long ago, I used to be a young man Dm G C Now dear Margaret remembers that for me. Outro: Dm G F C Now dear Margaret remembers that for me.