Ambush At Clonoe
View chords used in this chart
Intro
G A D
[Verso 1]
D A D D7
Here's a a song of young lives lost before their time
G A D
Of four daring lads cut down in their prime
G A D Bm
In a land that longs for freedom and for peace
G A D D7
It's a prayer that all the heartache soon will cease
[Verso 2]
G A D D7
Sometimes it's hard to find the words to say
G A D D7
When the cut's so deep the pain won't go away
G A D Bm
How much longer must we struggle, mourn, and pray?
G A D
'Till we see the light of freedom's dawning day
[Verso 3]
D A D D7
In their boyhood years these lads learned at first hand
G A D
They were only second class in their own land
G A D Bm
Stopped and searched by police each time they walked the street
G A D D7
And degraded by each foot patrol they'd meet
[Verso 4]
G A D D7
To those RUC 'n soldiers it was fun
G A D D7
To intimidate our children with their guns
G A D Bm
But there's some young folk who won't take any more
G A D
And there's some who'll want to even up the score
[Verso 5]
D A D D7
Barry O'Donnell was a thorn in England's side
G A D
And he led his volunteers with dauntless pride
G A D Bm
Sean O'Farrell stood beside him all the while
G A D D7
And we never will forget his roguish smile
[Verso 6]
G A D D7
Countless times in action these pair played their part
G A D D7
That they couldn't hold them broke the soldier's hearts
G A D Bm
But those lads knew they lived on borrowed time
G A D
But they'd make their mark before they crossed the line
[Verso 7]
D A D D7
In Coalisland Square that February night
G A D
Oh the sentries in the barracks all took fright
G A D Bm
For on the lorry coming straight ahead
G A D D7
Was a unit of the East Tyrone Brigade
[Verso 8]
G A D D7
From that lorry's back the Irish flag flew high
G A D D7
And the big machine gun pointed to the sky
G A D Bm
And when Barry with that gun began to shoot
G A D
Oh! Those Brits there longed for transfers to Beirut
[Verso 9]
D A D D7
As the tracer bullets split the barrack wall
G A D
Those bold volunteers they showed no fear at all
G A D Bm
As the lorry drove away the people cheered
G A D D7
Not knowing that their cries would soon be tears
G A D D7
It was the boldest deed that little town had known
G A D D7
In all the years of struggle in Tyrone
G A D Bm
But it was the saddest night that town would come to know
G A D
For the SAS lay waiting at Clonoe
D A D D7
Was not until they had the big gun down
G A D
And the volunteers thought they were safe and sound
G A D Bm
That the SAS they opened up from every side
G A D D7
And on that killing ground four brave lads died
G A D D7
We lost bold Peter Clancy on that night
G A D D7
A volunteer who scorned Britannia's might
G A D Bm
Young Paddy Vincent died there by his side
G A D
He lost his life for what he thought was right
D A D D7
We salute you Barry, Peter, Paddy, Sean
G A D
Though you've left us still your memory will live on
G A D Bm
For to the crown, a knee you'd never bend
G A D D7
And you were bold and fearless to the end
G A D D7
So come all of you who love your native land
G A D D7
As for peace and freedom we march hand in hand
G A D Bm
Our brave volunteers have not been lost in vain
G A D
From the ashes we can build our land again
D A D D7
Here's a a song of young lives lost before their time
G A D
Of four daring lads cut down in their prime
G A D Bm
In a land that longs for freedom and for peace
G A D D7
It's a prayer that all the heartache soon will cease
Outro
G A
Sometimes it's hard to find the words...
How to play Ambush At Clonoe
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.