26 Miles - 1958 4/4 G - Em Am - D7 (2X) Chorus G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 Twenty-six miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin’ for me. G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 Santa Catalina, the island of romance, romance, romance, romance.
G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 Water all around it everywhere, tropical trees and the salty air, G - Em Am - D7 G / but for me the thing that’s a-waitin’ there’s romance.
Bridge 1 Am - D7 G - Em7 C - D G It seems so distant, twenty-six miles away, restin’ in the water serene. Am - D7 G - Em A - Am I’d work for anyone, even the Navy, who would float me to my island D7 dream.
G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Twenty-six miles, so near yet far- I’d swim with just some water-wings Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 and my guitar. I could leave the wings but I’ll need the guitar for G - Em Am - D7 romance, romance, romance, romance.
Chorus G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 Twenty-six miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin’ for me. G - Em Am - D7 G / Santa Catalina, the island of romance.
26 Miles (cont)
Bridge 2 Am - D7 G - Em7 C - D G A tropical heaven out in the ocean Covered with trees and girls. Am - D7 G - Em A - Am If I have to swim, I’ll do it for-ever, till I’m gazin’ on those island D7 pearls.
G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 Forty kilometers in a leaky old boat, any old thing that’ll stay afloat. G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 When we arrive we’ll all promote romance, romance, romance, romance.
Chorus G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 Twenty-six miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin’ for me. G - Em Am - D7 G - Em Am - D7 Santa Catalina, the island of romance, romance, romance, romance.
Ending: Repeat and fade G - Em Am - D7 (G) to end Men sing: Twenty-six miles across the sea, Women sing: romance, romance, romance, romance.
Santa Catalina by the pop band The Four Preps. At the age of 15 the band’s lead singer Bruce Belland broke his ankle and took up the ukulele to pass the time while recuperating. He learned 4 chords, which are the song’s opening music. They were signed to a recording contract while attending Hollywood High School when one of Capitol records, executives saw them at a talent show at the school in 1956. They were an influence on Brian Wilson who founded the Beach Boys. 10/17/2020