C              G              Am           F
Just to wake up in the morning to the quiet of the cove
    C                G             C
And hear aunt Bessie talking to herself.
       C               G             Am            F
And to hear poor uncle John mumbling wishes to old Nell
   C                 G              C
It made me feel like everything was fine.

[Chorus 1]
      G                Am          F              C
I was born down by the water, it's here I'm gonna stay
     G                       Am       F              C
I've searched for all the reasons why I should go away.
                      G                  Am           F
but I haven't got the thirst for all those modern-day toys
                     C                  G         C
So I'll just take my chances with those saltwater joys.

[Verse 2]
     C               G            Am              F
Following the little brook, as it trickles to the shore
       C               G                 C
In the autumn when the trees are flaming red.
   C                      G                  Am               F
Kicking leaves that fall around me, watching sunset paint the hills
     C             G               C
It's all I'll ever need to feel at home.

[Chorus 2]
     G              Am                F                C
This island that we cling to has been handed down with pride
   G                   Am                F                C
By folks who fought to live here, taking hardships all in stride.
                       G            Am           F
So I'll compliment her beauty, hold on to my goodbyes
         C                                G         C
And I'll stay, take my chances with those saltwater joys.

[Verse 3]
        C             G                  Am             F
How can I leave those mornings, with the sunrise on the cove
        C                   G                  C
And the gulls like flies surrounding Clayton's Wharf.
            C               G               Am            F
Platter's Island wrapped in rainbow, in the evening after fog
    C                G             C
The ocean smells are perfume to my soul.

[Chorus 3]
     G               Am        F                 C
Some go to where the buildings reach to meet the clouds
      G               Am              F                 C
Where warm and gentle people turn to swarmin', faceless crowds.
                         G       Am              F
So I'll do without their riches, glamour and the noise
         C                                G         C
And I'll stay, take my chances with those saltwater joys.
     G               Am        F                 C
Some go to where the buildings reach to meet the clouds
      G               Am             F                  C
Where warm and gentle people turn to swarmin', faceless crowds.
                         G       Am              F
So I'll do without their riches, glamour and the noise
         C                                G         C
And I'll stay, take my chances with those saltwater joys