Chris Rea - Steel River: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Steel River" on your guitar with our chord guide. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

G               C        D     Em7
I was born and raised on steel river
G        C            D         G
I see it all like it was yesterday
                C         D      Em7
The ships and bridges were all delivered
G            C            D       G
From Sydney harbour to the Cisco bay

And I met my love down on steel river
We served our dreams and spent our childhood days
In rainy streets we'd kiss away the shivers
And hide from fear inside the latest craze

C          G/B
Dancing to Motown
 D
Making love with a Carole King record playing
C            G/B      D
And oh how I loved you

Chorus:
        G          D   Em7 G D G
Say goodbye steel river
       D   Em7 G D G
steel river

Ten thousand bombers hit the steel river
And many died to keep her running free
And she survived but now she's gone forever
Her burning heart is just a memory

And I ran away from life on steel river
Luck or not I gladly took the break
The odds were low the chances nearly zero
A chance it was I had to take

Chorus:
Say goodbye
Say goodbye

They say that salmon swim in steel river
They say it's good to see them back again
I know it hurts to see what really happened
I know one salmon ain't no good to them

They were born and raised to serve their
steel mother
It was they taught and all they ever knew
And they believed that she would keep their children
Even though not a single word was true

Chorus:
Say goodbye (steel river)
(Steel river) say goodbye
(Steel river)
(Steel river)
(Steel river) [repeat to fade]


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

A

Guitar chord A

B

Guitar chord B

C

Guitar chord C

D

Guitar chord D

Em7

Guitar chord Em7

G

Guitar chord G

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Steel River" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Steel River" by Chris Rea.

Chris Rea Song List