Dirty Water
Words & Music:
Ed Cobb
This song is supposedly about '60s-era dorm curfews at Boston University (which lies between Commonwealth Ave. & the Charles River) and the "dirty water" of the Charles. The river's now much cleaner and this is a singalong staple at Fenway (along with – inexplicably – Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline"). You haven't lived 'til you hear 38,000 people sing it as one.
basic E riff for the
song: E A D A/C#
[Intro spoken over the
riff:]
I'm gonna tell you a story,
I'm gonna tell you about my town.
I'm gonna tell you a big bad
story, baby. Aww, it's all about
my town.
[sung]
Yeah, down by the river,
down by the banks of the river Charles.
[A riff]
[E riff]
That's where you'll find me
along with lovers, muggers, and thieves
CHORUS:
B
Bb A
Well, I love that dirty
water!
E A D A [E riff]
Oh, Boston, you're my home
Frustrated women have to be
in by twelve o'clock.
But I'm wishin' and
a-hopin', oh, that just once those doors were locked.
CHORUS: [2x]
Well, I love that dirty
water... [repeat over riff and
out]
E chord
riff:
[E] [A/E] [E7no3][A/E]
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-----------------|-7---7-6---------
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/7---7-----------|-----------------
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A chord
riff:
[A] [D/A] [A7no3][D/A]
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-----------------|-12--1211--------
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/12--12----------|-----------------
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