What key is "Shrimp Boats" in?

"Shrimp Boats" by Jo Stafford is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Shrimp Boats" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Shrimp Boats" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Shrimp Boats"?

This arrangement of "Shrimp Boats" uses 12 chords: Ab, Adim, Bb7, Eb, Eb6, Eb7, Ebmaj7, Emaj7, +4 more.

How long does it take to learn "Shrimp Boats" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Jo Stafford can I play here?

Try "I Remember You". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(Eb)Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, their (Eb)sails are (Fm7)in (Eb)sight.

Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, there’s (Eb)danc in’ (Fm7)to (Eb)night.

Why don’t cha hur ry, hur ry, hur ry home, why don’t cha hur ry, hur ry, hur ry home?

(Look, here the) Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, there’s (Eb)danc in (Fm7)to (Eb)night.

They (Ebmaj7)go (Eb7)to (Ab)sea with the (Eb)eve ing (Fm7)ning (Eb)tide and their (Fm7)wom en folk (Bb7)wave their good (Eb)bye.

(Ebmaj7)Ill sant (Eb6)vas,

(Ebmaj7)there they (Eb6)go.

(Eb)While the (Ab)Loo sian (G)a (Gb)moon (F7)floats (Emaj7)on (Eb)high,

(Eb)and they (Ab)wait for (G)the (Gb)day (F7)they (Emaj7)can (Eb)cry.

Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, their (Eb)sails are (Fm7)in (Eb)sight.

Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, there’s (Eb)danc in’ (Fm7)to (Eb)night.

Why don’t cha hur ry, hur ry, hur ry home, why don’t cha hur ry, hur ry, hur ry home?

(Look here the) Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, there’s (Eb)danc in’ (Fm7)to (Eb)night.

Hap (Ebmaj7)py (Eb7)the (Ab)days while they’re (Eb)mend ing (Fm7)the (Eb)nets ’til once (Fm7)more they ride (Bb7)high out to (Eb)sea.

(Ebmaj7)Ill sant (Eb6)vas,

(Ebmaj7)there they (Eb6)go.

(Eb)Then how (Ab)lone ly (G)the (Gb)long (F7)nights (Emaj7)will (Eb)be,

(Eb)’til that (Ab)won der (G)ful (Gb)day (F7)when (Emaj7)they (Eb)see.

Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, their (Eb)sails are (Fm7)in (Eb)sight.

Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, there’s (Eb)danc in’ (Fm7)to (Eb)night.

Why don’t cha hur ry, hur ry, hur ry home, why don’t cha hur ry, hur ry, hur ry home?

(Look here the) Shrimp boats is a (Ab)com in’, there’s (Eb)danc in’ (Fm7)to (Eb)night.

(Eb)night.

Shrimp Boats by Jo Stafford

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Ab at 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Shrimp Boats”

What key is "Shrimp Boats" in?: "Shrimp Boats" by Jo Stafford is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Shrimp Boats" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Shrimp Boats" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Shrimp Boats"?: This arrangement of "Shrimp Boats" uses 12 chords: Ab, Adim, Bb7, Eb, Eb6, Eb7, Ebmaj7, Emaj7, +4 more.
How long does it take to learn "Shrimp Boats" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Jo Stafford can I play here?: Try "I Remember You". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.