The Orinoco Flow chords

by Enya

Song Key: G Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 120 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Guitar Chords: G, Am, Bb, C, Cm, D, F, Fmaj7 (see charts)

Arrangement Beginners Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
G Major Am Bb Major Bb Major barre chord C Major Cm barre chord Cm barre chord D Major F Major F Major barre chord Fmaj7
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
G Major-LH Am-LH Bb Major-LH Bb Major barre chord-LH C Major-LH Cm barre chord-LH Cm barre chord-LH D Major-LH F Major-LH F Major barre chord-LH Fmaj7-LH
Speed: x0.1

The Orinoco Flow

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
               G     F   C     G    F   C
Intro: 4/4 ‖:     |    -    |     |   -    :‖

       G                          F          C
Let me sail, let me sail, let the Or-i-no-co flow
       G                           F                C
Let me reach, let me beach, on the shores of Tri-po-li
       G                         F                C
Let me sail, let me sail, let me crash u-pon your shore
       G                           F                C
Let me reach, let me beach, far be-yond the Yel-low Sea
Cm          Bb     F      Cm          Bb     F
   De de  |     -     |      De de  |     -     |
Cm          Bb     F      Cm          Bb     F
   De de  |     -     |      De de  |     -     |
 G
   De De  |   %    |

               F           C           G
Chorus: Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
               F           C           G
        Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
               F           C           G
        Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
               F           C           G
        Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way

            G                    F             C
2. From Bis-sau to Pa-lau in the shade of Av-a-lon
           G                    F             C
   From Fi-ji to Ti-ree and the Isles of E-bo-ny
           G                    F               C
   From Pe-ru to Ce-bu hear the po-wer of Ba-by-lon
            G                   F                C
   From Bal-i to Ca-li - far be-neath the Co-ral Sea

Cm          Bb     F      Cm          Bb     F
   De de  |     -     |      De de  |     -     |
Cm          Bb     F      Cm          Bb     F
   De de  |     -     |      De de  |     -     |
 G
   De De  |   %    |

        C                       G                Am     Fmaj7     G
Bridge: Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up A-dieu,| ooh   -   ooh|
        C                       G                Am     Fmaj7     G
        Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up A-dieu,| ooh   -   ooh|
        C                       G                F       D         G 
        Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up A-dieu,|   ah | % |   (Sail)|

               F           C           G
Chorus: Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
               F           C           G
        Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
               F           C           G
        Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
               F           C           G
        Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way

            G                        F              C
3. From the North to the South, Eb-u-dae un-to Khar-toum,
            G                         F              C
   From the deep sea of Clouds to the is-land of the moon,
          G                      F                C
   Car-ry me on the waves to the land I've ne-ver been,
          G                      F                 C
   Car-ry me on the waves to the lands I've ne-ver seen.

          G                          F          C
** We can sail, we can sail with the O-ri-no-co flow
          G
   We can sail, we can sail
          F           C           G
   Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way

       G                           F               C
We can steer, we can near with Rob Dick-ins at the wheel
       G                            F              C
We can sigh, say good-bye, Ross and his de-pen-den-cy
       G
We can sail, we can sail
       F           C           G
Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way

       G
We can sail, we can sail
       F           C           G
Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way

       F           C           G
Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
       F           C           G
Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
       F           C           G
Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way
       F           C           G
Sail a-way, sail a-way, sail a-way

      F      C      G     F      C      Cm
Oh... oh  -  oh     Oh... oh  -  oh     Oh...

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: G Major – 1 sharp (F#)
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: ♩ = 120
  • Voice Range: G4 – G5
  • Chord Types in This Arrangement:
    • Major chords: G, Bb, C, D, F
    • Minor chords: Am, Cm
    • Maj7th chords: Fmaj7

🎸 Beginner Guitarists:

While the chords in G Major are achievable for beginners that are willing to spent time on Bb and Cm, an easier key is E major.

  • Capo on the 3rd fret if playing along with the video.
  • Chord set in E Major: E, F#m, G, A, Am, B, D, Dmaj7
  • Dmaj7 and F#m are very easy - both use a mini-barre on the first 3 strings - 2nd fret.
  • B Major is the only real hurdle here which is typically played as a barre chord. It requires a bit of a stretch but becomes second nature in time.
  • Here are all 3 chords:

    Right-handed Charts:
    Dmaj7 F#m - V2 B Major

    Left-handed Charts:
    Dmaj7-LH F#m - V2 B Major-LH

Song Details:

Watermark Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriters: Enya, Roma Ryan
  • Date: 1988
  • Lyrics Begin: Let me sail, let me sail, let the Orinoco flow
  • Genre: New-age, pop
  • Featured Artist: Enya
  • Album: Watermark
    Recorded: June 1987 – April 1988
    Released: 19 September 1988
  • Single:
    Released: 3 October 1988
    A: Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)
    B1: Smaoitím... (d'Aodh agus do Mháire Uí Dhúgain)
    B2: Out of the Blue
You Might Also Like
Back to Irish Folk Songs Back To Top
Contact Me

A seasoned performer joyfully playing the guitar