Michael, Row The Boat Ashore

From Vol. 3
Gospel Goodies

SUGGESTED KEY: E

CAPO: Fret 4

CHORD FAMILY: C

TIME SIGNATURE: 4/4

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

A Little About This Song…

Michael Row the Boat Ashore was first sung in the colonies of the New World, demonstrated by the appearance of its lyrics in Slave Songs of the United States, published in 1897 along with 42 others from the slave port island of St Helena. Nearly a hundred years later, The Highwaymen had an international hit with their version. It was continually cast into the limelight during the 60s and recorded by many folk artists including Pete Seeger and Peter Paul & Mary.

The lyrics seem to be about pressing on toward the Promised Land despite the danger. Though often heard with differing chord progressions and sets of lyrics, it’s still a highly favored singalong song today.

A Related Bible Verse…

Deuteronomy 11:11

But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.

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