Here's the English version of Jacques Brel's Amsterdam as sung by David Bowie on 'Bowie at the Beeb - the best of the BBc sessions 68-72' David plays each chord once for the first verse and then starts strumming with a driving rhythm enhanced by various hammer-ons etc. and then he gradually gets louder and pained. Never heard the original but DB's version is great as is the whole Bowie at the Beeb album if you like early Bowie. AMSTERDAM --------- Am (x02210@1) In the port of Amsterdam EmThere's (022000@1)a sailor who sings FOf (133211@1)the dreams that he brings EFrom (022100@1)a wide open sea AmAnd (x02210@1)in the port of Amsterdam EmThere's (022000@1)a sailor who sleeps F (133211@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 While the river bank weeps AmTo (x02210@1)the old willow tree CAnd (x32010@1)in the port of Amsterdam G7 (320001@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 There's a sailor who dies AmFull (x02210@1)of beers full of cries E7In (020130@1)a drunken down fight FAnd (133211@1)in the port of Amsterdam EmThere's (022000@1)a sailor who is born Dm7 E7On (020130@1)the hot muggy morn AmBy (x02210@1)the dawns early light AmIn (x02210@1)the port of Amsterdam EmWhere (022000@1)the sailors all meet FThere's (133211@1)a sailor who eats EOnly (022100@1)fish heads and tails AmHe'll (x02210@1)show you his teeth EmThat (022000@1)have rotted too soon F (133211@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 That can haul up the sails AmThat (x02210@1)can swallow the moon CAnd (x32010@1)he'll yell to the cook G7 (320001@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 With his arms open wide AmOh (x02210@1)bring me more fish E7Though (020130@1)it's down by my side FAnd (133211@1)he wants so to belch EmBut (022000@1)he's too full to try Dm7 E7So (020130@1)he stands up and laughs AmAnd (x02210@1)he zips up his flies AmIn (x02210@1)the port of Amsterdam EmYou (022000@1)can see sailors dance FPaunches (133211@1)bursting their pants EGrinding (022100@1)women's with paunch (not sure about this line) AmThey've (x02210@1)forgotten the tune EmThat (022000@1)their whiskey voice croaks F (133211@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 Splitting the night AmWith (x02210@1)the roar of their jokes CAnd (x32010@1)they turn and they dance G7 (320001@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 And they laugh and they lust AmTill (x02210@1)the rancid sound E7Of (020130@1)the accordion bursts FAnd (133211@1)then out of the night EmWith (022000@1)their pride in their pants Dm7 E7And (020130@1)the slut that they tow AmUnderneath (x02210@1)the street lamps AmIn (x02210@1)the port of Amsterdam EmThere's (022000@1)a sailor who drinks FAnd (133211@1)he drinks and he drinks EAnd (022100@1)he drinks once again AmOh (x02210@1)he drinks to the health EmOf (022000@1)the whores of Amsterdam F (133211@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 Who have given their bodies AmTo (x02210@1)a thousand other men CIt's (x32010@1)their worth and their goodness G7 (320001@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 Their virtues all gone AmFor (x02210@1)the few dirty coins E7When (020130@1)he just can't go on FThrows (133211@1)his nose to the sky EmAnd (022000@1)he aims it up above Dm7 E7And (020130@1)he pisses like I cry AmFor (x02210@1)an unfaithful love AmIn (x02210@1)the port of Amsterdam Em (022000@1)Dm (xx0231@1)name="chord_020130@1">E7 AmIn (x02210@1)the port of Amsterdam Submitted by Mr Thyroid