(Sittin On) The Dock of the Bay was written by Otis Redding and guitarist Steve Cropper. The song was inspired while Redding was sitting on a rented houseboat in Sausalito, California, in August 1967, reflecting on his life on the road. It became a poignant reflection of his life, as Redding died in a plane crash in December 1967, making this song one of his final recordings. It was released posthumously in January 1968.
Key: G
G
GB7 Sittin' in the mornin' sun CA I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come GB7 Watching the ships roll in CA Then I'll watch 'em roll away again, yeah
GE I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay GE Watching the tide roll away GA Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay GE Wastin' time
GB7 I left my home in Georgia CA Headed for the 'Frisco Bay GB7 I have nothing to live for CA Look like nothin's gonna come my way
GE So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay GE Watching the tide roll away GA Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay GE Wastin' time
GDCG Look like, nothing's gonna change GDCG Everything still remains the same GDCG I can't do what ten people tell me to do FD So I guess I'll remain the same, yes
GB7 Sittin' here resting my bones CA And this loneliness won't leave me alone GB7 It's two thousand miles I roam CA Just to make this dock my home
GE Now I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay GE Watching the tide roll away GA Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay GE Wastin' time