Hello! Below you'll find my "Ripple" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Grateful Dead is proof that you don't need a ton of chords to write a magical and timeless song. While there are some little details to the chord voicings throughout, Dreams is essentially just two chords, over and over.
Enjoy!
Ripple Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Ripple:
Ripple Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| G | G | C | C | C | C | C | G |
| G | G | C | C | G | D | C | G | G |
| G | G | C | C | C | C | C | G |
| G | G | C | C | G | D | C | G | G |
[Verse 1]
G C
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
C G
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
G C
Would you hear my voice come through the music
G D C G
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
G C
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
C G
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
G C
Would you hear my voice come through the music
G D C G
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
[Verse 2]
G C
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
C G
Perhaps they're better left unsung
G C
I don't know, don't really care
G D C G G
Let there be songs to fill the air
G C
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
C G
Perhaps they're better left unsung
G C
I don't know, don't really care
G D C G G
Let there be songs to fill the air
[Chorus]
Am D
Ripple in still water
G C
When there is no pebble tossed
A D
Nor wind to blow
Am D
Ripple in still water
G C
When there is no pebble tossed
A D
Nor wind to blow
[Verse 3]
G C
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
C G
If your cup is full may it be again
G C
Let it be known there is a fountain
G C
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
C G
If your cup is full may it be again
G C
Let it be known there is a fountain
G D C G
That was not made by the hands of men
That was not made by the hands of men
[Verse 4]
G C
There is a road, no simple highway
C G
Between the dawn and the dark of night
G C
And if you go no one may follow
G D C G G
That path is for your steps alone
G C
There is a road, no simple highway
C G
Between the dawn and the dark of night
G C
And if you go no one may follow
G D C G G
That path is for your steps alone
[Chorus]
Am D
Ripple in still water
G C
When there is no pebble tossed
A D
Nor wind to blow
Am D
Ripple in still water
G C
When there is no pebble tossed
A D
Nor wind to blow
[Verse 5]
G C
You who choose to lead must follow
C G
But if you fall you fall alone
G C
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
G D C G
If I knew the way I would take you home
G C
You who choose to lead must follow
C G
But if you fall you fall alone
G C
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
G D C G
If I knew the way I would take you home
[Outro]
G C
Lat da dat da, Lah da-ah da da, da
C G
La da da, la da, La da da, da da
G C
Lat da dat da, Lah da-ah da da, da
G D C G
La da da da, Lah da da da da
G C
Lat da dat da, Lah da-ah da da, da
C G
La da da, la da, La da da, da da
G C
Lat da dat da, Lah da-ah da da, da
G D C G
La da da da, Lah da da da da
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Ripple Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Ripple" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Ripple" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
