This song has an interesting chord progression. I've divided them up into easy
chunks. The first verse goes 1121, the second goes 11121 and the chorus is 3 and
then 3 again. Yes, there is a key change at the chorus, but it's only the chorus.
This is all taken from listening and watching Berman play live and in videos on YouTube.
Capo on 2.
Chords (1) in Verses (1st, 2nd, and 4th stanza)
D D/A Bm
In a small fishing village on the Mexican coast,
Asus4 D/F# A G
Ten yellowfin tuna on the floor of his boat.
G Asus4
The fisherman gathers them up in a sack,
G D
A smile on his face, noonday sun on his back.
Chords (2) in Verses (3rd stanza)
G D
"And if you fish longer," the American mused,
G D
"Seems you could catch more with ease."
A13sus4 Bm
The fisherman climbed out of the boat with his sack,
Em Asus4
"I have enough for my needs."
Chords (3) in Chorus (1st and 2nd stanza)
F Dm
In the mornings I'm on my boat fishing,
C C/B Am
Then it's home to Maria my wife,
F [ch]Dm7/A[/ch] G
We have lunch then we take our siesta,
C C/B Am
The I play with the kids for a while.
Lyrics:
Verse 1:
(Chords 1)
In a small fishing village on the Mexican coast,
Ten yellowfin tuna on the floor of his boat.
The fisherman gathers them up in a sack,
A smile on his face, noonday sun on his back.
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/m/misc_unsigned_bands/richard_berman_on_the_mexican_coast_crd_ver_2.html ]
(Chords 1)
"That's a good-looking catch," comes a voice from the dock,
An American tourist with a gold Rolex watch.
"Did it take a long time to bring in that haul?"
The fisherman looked up, "No, not long at all."
(Chords 2)
"And if you fish longer," the American mused
"Seems you could catch more with ease."
The fisherman climbed out of the boat with his sack,
"I have enough for my needs."
(Chords 1)
"And what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Americans watch gleamed in the light.
The fisherman turned his gaze to the sea,
Looked back as he lowered the sack to his feet.
Chorus:
(Chords 3)
In the mornings I'm in my boat fishing,
Then its home to Maria my wife.
We have lunch then we take our siesta,
The I play with the kids for a while.
(Chords 3)
In the evenings I stroll into the village,
Play guitar, sing songs, harmonize.
Sip wine with my dear amigos,
It's a full and busy life.
Verse 2:
(Chords 1)
The American sighed, "I can give you some help"
"I've succeeded in business, I know how to make wealth."
"If you were to fish longer, set the money aside,
You could save until there is a second boat you can buy."
(Chords 1)
"Keep saving and buying 'til you own your own fleet,
Then you buy up your own canning plant."
"Mexico City, LA, then New York,
You move as your empire expands."
(Chords 1)
"How long would this take?" the Fisherman asked.
"Oh, fifteen, twenty years will have passed."
"What then?" Asked the Fisherman, "What happens next?"
"Ahhh, then comes the part that I love the best."
(Chords 2)
"When the time is right, you'll announce to the world
An initial sell of your stock."
"And when the shares are sold, you'll be a rich man,
Millions is what youll have got."
(Chords 1)
"Millions?" the fisherman picked up his sack,
"And then, what then, what comes after that?"
The American scanned the sea and the boats,
"You retire to a village on the Mexican coast."
Chorus:
(Chords 3)
Where you'll start off your day with some fishing,
Come home to Maria your wife.
Have lunch then take your siestas,
Then play with the grandkids a while.
(Chords 3)
In the evenings you'll stroll into the village,
Play guitar, sing songs, harmonize.
Sip wine with your dear amigos,
What more could one ask for from life? (End on A major)
