Verse 1 A = x02220 | F#m7 = 242222 | Dmaj7 = xx0222 | E = 022100 A On Sinatra Drive I plant my claim, the skyline blinking like a game, A Ferries deal a hand of waves—yeah, I ante with my name. F#m7 Roll the cuffs on borrowed noon, promise I’ll be splashing soon, Dmaj7 E Hudson draws a dotted line; I sign it one stroke at a time. Pre-Chorus Bm7 = x24232 | C#m7 = x46454 | F#7 = 242322 Bm7 Turnstiles wink, “Pick land or sea,” E Tap the card then set it free; C#m7 Pocket doubts, refine the plan, F#7 If taxis float, then I’m their man. Chorus A | D | F#m | E | A | D | F#m | E | D | E | A | E A Hudson River serenade, D Hoboken heart, Manhattan made; F#m Kick and glide through shade and jade, E Laugh at every sign they laid. A Shirts stay dry? Plans love to fade, D Wake lights up like lemonade; F#m Skylines cheer me like a parade, E Counting strokes, the fear mislaid. D E Call the current unafraid— A E Hudson River serenade. Verse 2 A Pier A Park becomes my stage; the gulls keep time along the quay, A Brownstones nod across the way—good luck from every balcony. F#m7 Light rail hums a soft amen; the towers offer quiet grin— Dmaj7 E Iron letters beckon in, a long blue measure to begin. Pre-Chorus 2 Bm7 Ferry horns provide the count, E One, two—yeah, I hold the route; C#m7 If I zig, the tide will toast, F#7 If I zag, I wave the coast. Chorus (bigger) A | D | F#m | E Hudson River serenade… A | D | F#m | E Hoboken heart, Manhattan made… D | E | A | E Kick and glide, the fear mislaid—Hudson River serenade. Bridge (chromatic glow) C#7 = x46464 | F#m7 = 242222 | Bm7 = x24232 | E = 022100 | Dmaj7 = xx0222 C#7 Between the docks and sheets of glass, I make a pact: I’m gonna pass, F#m7 Steal a line from maps and jazz, Dmaj7 Shortest route through joke and class; Bm7 E Daylight nods and lets me pass. C#7 Skim a buoy, tag the air, F#m7 Tourists point—yeah, let ’em stare; Dmaj7 Harbor writes my last fanfare, E I answer back from anywhere. Solo (16 bars) (Same progression as before.) Final Chorus (tag & outro) A | D | F#m | E Hudson River serenade, A | D | F#m | E Hoboken start, Manhattan made, D | E | A | E Shake the river off my name—Hudson River serenade. Outro tag: D E Count the strokes, the debts all paid— A (hold) Hudson River serenade.
