Welcome to our Lyrics and Chords page, where you can explore the heart of Irish folk music through its most iconic songs. Whether you’re an experienced musician or just starting out, this is your home for learning and playing some of the best-loved Irish tunes. We’ve made it easy by providing both the lyrics and chords to guide you as you play and sing along, bringing the tradition of Irish music right into your hands.
Understanding Irish Folk Music Chords
Irish folk music has a charm that draws from its simplicity and its deep connection to the culture of storytelling. At the core of many of these songs are straightforward chord progressions that have been used for centuries.
The chords commonly used in Irish folk music follow familiar patterns that any guitar or piano player can quickly grasp. Songs often rely on the I-IV-V (1-4-5) chord progression, making them easy to play, even for beginners. For example, if a song is in the key of G, you’re likely to see G, C, and D chords, with the occasional addition of E minor to add depth and emotion.
Many Irish folk songs are played in the key of G or D, and there’s a reason for that. These keys are not only friendly for musicians but also perfectly suited to the tin whistle, one of Ireland’s most popular traditional instruments.
Tin whistles are often tuned to D, making it an ideal key for countless Irish tunes. In turn, the key of G is a closely related key, with only one note difference, making it also suitable for tin whistlers.
Lyrics and Chords for Every Skill Level
Whether you’re just beginning your journey with Irish music or you’re already familiar with the repertoire, the lyrics and chords on this page are designed for every level of player.
Beginners will appreciate the simple structures of many Irish songs, while more advanced musicians can experiment with fingerpicking patterns, variations in rhythm, or adding their own embellishments to make the songs their own.
Irish folk songs are more than just music; they are stories set to melody. That’s why the lyrics are as important as the chords. The songs often tell tales of love, loss, rebellion, and celebration, making them timeless and universally relatable. By playing them, you are not only learning to play music but also connecting with a rich cultural heritage.
The Rhythm of Irish Folk: Time Signatures and Styles
In addition to popular chord sequences, Irish folk music also features a variety of time signatures that reflect the influence of traditional dance music. Some songs are in 4/4 time, giving them a steady, marching feel, while others are written in 3/4 or 6/8, creating the lilting rhythms typical of waltzes and jigs. The 6/8 time signature, in particular, is a hallmark of Irish jigs and adds a rhythmic complexity that challenges and excites musicians.
These time signatures also give you the opportunity to play with different strumming or picking patterns, adding unique rhythmical textures to your performance. You may find, for example, that a song like “The Black Velvet Band” benefits from a steady 4/4 4/4 strumming pattern, while “Molly Malone” is in 3/4 time and might call for a more relaxed waltz feel.
Customising the Key for Your Voice
One challenge many musicians face when learning songs is finding the right key for their voice. While many of the lyrics and chords we provide are presented in common keys like G or D, these may not always suit your vocal range.
For example, a song in the key of G may feel too high or too low, depending on your voice. But that’s where our Chord Converter comes in. With our easy-to-use tool, you can quickly transpose the chords of any song to a key that’s more comfortable for you to sing.
For instance, if a song feels too high in the key of G, you can use the chord converter to shift it down to the key of F, or even lower, depending on your preference. This allows you to tailor the chords to your voice, ensuring that you can perform every song with confidence.
Why Irish Folk Songs Continue to Thrive
Irish folk music has stood the test of time, and part of its enduring popularity is due to its adaptability. These traditional songs can be played in countless ways—by solo performers, in small groups, or by entire bands. The versatility of Irish folk music allows it to be interpreted in new styles while still retaining its essential spirit.
From buskers on the streets of Dublin to sessions in cozy Irish pubs, Irish folk songs continue to unite people. The lyrics often tell stories of everyday life, struggles, and triumphs, which remain relevant to listeners today. Whether you’re playing “Danny Boy,” “The Fields of Athenry,” or “The Wild Rover,” these songs are more than just music—they are a connection to Ireland’s history and soul.
Explore Our Full Collection of Lyrics and Chords
Our extensive collection of song lyrics and chords is constantly growing, giving you a wealth of Irish folk music to explore. Each song is carefully selected to provide a balanced mix of well-known favourites and lesser-known gems.
As you navigate through our pages, you’ll find songs that will not only help you improve your playing but also deepen your appreciation for the tradition of Irish folk music.
Don’t forget to use our Chord Converter if the default key isn’t right for you, and explore the many songs we have available. Whether you’re here to perform, learn, or just enjoy the music, you’ll find that our lyrics and chords collection has something for everyone.
A Jar of Porter
A Nation Once Again
A Place in the Choir
Abdul Abulbul Amir
Air Fa La La Lo
All For Me Grog
All ‘Round My Hat
Amazing Grace
Arthur McBride
As I Leave Behind Neidin
As I Roved Out – Andy Irvine
As I Roved Out – Christy Moore
As I Roved Out – The Clancys
Avondale
The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
The Banks of Claudy
The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee
The Banks of the Ohio
The Banks of the Roses
The Bantry Girl’s Lament
The Bard of Armagh
Beautiful City
The Beggarman’s Song
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
The Bells of Shandon
The Blackbird and the Thrush
The Blacksmith
Black Velvet Band
The Blarney Roses
The Bog Down in the Valley-O
The Bold Fenian Men
The Bold O’Donoghue
Bold Robert Emmet
Bold Thady Quill
The Bonny Boy
Boolavogue
The Boston Burglar (aka Boston City)
Botany Bay
The Boys From the County Armagh
The Boys of Fair Hill
The Boys of Mullaghbawn
The Boys of Wexford
Brennan on the Moor
Brian O’Linn
Broken Hearted I’ll Wander
Bunclody
A Bunch of Thyme
The Butcher Boy
Carrickfergus
Carrigdhoun
The Castle of Dromore
The Cliffs of Dooneen
The Cobbler
Come All Ye Tramps and Hawkers
Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff
Come to the Hills
Connemara Cradle Song
Courtin’ in the Kitchen
The Croppy Boy
The Croppy Boy (alternative version)
The Curragh of Kildare
Danny Boy
Dicey Reilly
Dingle Bay
Dirty Old Town
Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down?
Down by the Liffeyside
Down by the Salley Gardens
Down Where the Bees are Hummin’
The Drunken Sailor
The Dublin Fusiliers
Dublin Jack of All Trades
Dunlavin Green
Easy and Slow
Eileen Aroon
Eileen Oge
The Emigrant’s Letter
Enniskillen Dragoon
Erin’s Lovely Home
Fairytale of New York
Fare Thee Well Enniskillen
The Ferryman
Fields of Athenry
Fiddler’s Green
Finnegan’s Wake
Foggy Dew
Follow Me Up to Carlow
Four Green Fields
From Clare to Here
Galway Bay
Galway Bay (My Own Dear Galway Bay)
The Galway Girl
The Galway Races
Galway Shawl
The Garden Song
A German Clockwinder
The Girl I Left Behind Me
The Glendalough Saint
Glory O, To Our Bold Fenian Men
Go To Sea No More
God Save Ireland
The Golden Jubilee
The Good Ship Kangaroo
The Green Fields of America
The Green Fields of France
Green Grows the Laurel
The Green Hills of Clare
Greenland Whale Fisheries
The Gypsy
Halloween is Come
Handsome Sally
The Harp That Once Through Tara’s halls
Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded
Henry Joy
Henry My Son
Highland Paddy
The Hills of Connemara
The Hills of Donegal
The Hills of Kerry
The Holy Ground
Home Boys Home
Home by Bearna (aka In Scartaglen there lived a lass)
Hot Asphalt
The Hour We Parted
The House of the Rising Sun
Hush Little Baby
I Know My Love
I Know Where I’m Going
I Once Loved A Lass
I Will Never Marry
If I was a Blackbird
I’ll Tell Me Ma
I’m a Rover
I’m a Rover and Seldom Sober
I’m a Stranger in this Country
In Praise of the City of Mullingar
In Scartaglen there lived a lass (aka Home by bearna)
Irish Molly-O
Irish Rover
It’s a Long Way to Tipperary
James Connolly
Joe Hill
John O’Dreams
Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya
Johnny Jump Up
Johnson’s Motor Car
The Jolly Beggar
Jug of Punch
Juice of the Barley
Kelly the Boy from Killane
The Kerry Dances
Kerry Recruit
Kevin Barry
Kimmage
The Lambs on the Green Hills
Lanigan’s Ball
The Lark in the Clear Air
The Lark in the Morning
Last Rose of Summer
Leaving of Liverpool
Let Him Go Let Him Tarry
Limerick is Beautiful
The Limerick Rake
Limerick You’re a Lady
The Little Beggarman
Little Bridget Flynn
Lonely Banna Strand
Lough Sheelin’s Side
Love is Pleasing
Lovely Leitrim
The Lowlands of Holland
Madairin Rua
The Maid of Mourne Shore
Maids When You’re Young Never Wed an Old Man
Mairi’s Wedding
The Man From Mullingar
Martha, the Flower of Sweet Strabane
Mary From Dungloe
Mary Hamilton
Master McGrath
McAlpine’s Fusiliers
McBreen’s Heifer
The Meeting of the Waters
The Mermaid
The Merry Ploughboy (aka Off to Dublin in the Green)
The Minstrel Boy
Molly Ban
Molly Malone
Monto (aka Take Me Up to Monto)
Moorlough Mary
The Moonshiner
Mother Machree
Mountains of Mourne
Mrs McGrath
Muirsheen Durkin
Mush Mush
My Cavan Girl
My Irish Molly O
My Johnny was a Shoemaker
My Lagan Love
My Love’s an Arbutus
My Mary of the Curling Hair
My Singing Bird
Nancy Myles
Nancy the Pride of the West
Nelson’s Farewell
The Next Market Day
The Nightingale
Nora
Nora Lee
O’Donnell Abu
Off to Dublin in the Green (aka The Merry Ploughboy)
Off To Philadelphia
The Old Bog Road
Old Maid in the Garret
The Old Orange Flute
Old Rustic Bridge by the Mill
The Old Triangle
Old Woman from Wexford
Only Our Rivers Run Free
Óró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile
O’Sullivan’s John
Paddy Lay Back
Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore
Parting Glass
Pat Murphy’s Meadow
The Patriot Game
The Peatbog Soldiers
The Peeler and the Goat
Peggy Gordon
Phil the Fluter’s Ball
Plaisir d’Amour
Poor Paddy Works on the Railway
The Portuguese Sailor
The Praties They Grow Small
Preab San Ol
Quare Bungle Rye
Raggle Taggle Gypsy
Raglan Road
Rare Old Mountain Dew
Rare Ould Times
Ratcliffe Highway
The Reason I Left Mullingar
Red Haired Mary
Red is the Rose
Reilly’s Daughter
Reynard the Fox
The Riddle Song
The Rising of the Moon
The Road to Dundee
Rocky Road to Dublin
The Rocks of Bawn
Roddy McCorley
The Rose of Allendale
The Rose of Mooncoin
The Rose of Tralee
Rosin the Bow
Sam Hall
Scarborough Fair
The Scarriff Martyrs
The Sea Around Us (aka Surrounded by Water)
Sean South from Garryowen
Seven Drunken Nights
The Shamrock Shore
Shanagolden
She Lived Beside the Anner
The Shoals of Herring
She Moved Through the Fair
The Shores of Amerikay
Since Maggie Went Away
Slieve Gallion Brae
Skibbereen
The Skillet Pot
Slievenamon
The Snowy Breasted Pearl
Song for Ireland
Spancil Hill
Spanish Lady
Spinning Wheel Song
St Patrick was a Gentleman
Star of the County Down
Still I Love Him
The Streets of New York
Surrounded by Water (aka The Sea Around Us)
Sweet Carnloch Bay
Sweet Thames Flow Softly
Take Me Up to Monto
Three Drunken Maidens
Three Lovely Lassies from Kimmage
Tipping it up to Nancy
The Town I Loved So Well
The Town of Ballybay
The Twang Man
Twenty-One Years
Van Diemen’s Land
Walking in the Dew
Waltzing Matilda
The Water is Wide
Waxies Dargle
Wearing of the Green
Weile Waila
The Well Below the Valley
The West’s Awake
The Wexford Carol
What Would You Do If You Married A Soldier?
When First I Came to the County Limerick
When Irish Eyes are Smiling
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again
When You Were Sweet 16
Where My Eileen is Waiting
Where Oh Where is Our James Connolly?
Where the Three Counties Meet
Whiskey in the Jar
Whiskey You’re the Devil
The Whistlin’ Gypsy Rover
Wild Colonial Boy
Wild Mountain Thyme
The Wild Rover
Will You Come to the Bower?
Willie Gannon
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
The Wren Boy’s Song
The Zoological Gardens
Popular Songs on the folk scene
Annie’s Song
Barbara Allen
Blowin’ in the Wind
Brown Eyed Girl
Catch the Wind
Chimes of Freedom
Country Roads
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Early Morning Rain
Fields of Gold
I Will Always Love You
If You could Read My Mind
It Ain’t Me Babe
Lakes of Ponchartrain
Make You Feel My Love
Masters of War
Me and Bobby McGee
Sloop John B
Mr Tambourine man
The Times They Are A-Changing
This Land is Your Land
We Shall Not Be Moved
We Shall Overcome
Where Do You Go To My Lovely
With God on our Side