Back To Donegal
View chords used in this chart
[Verso 1]
G C G
Back to Donegal Going to see Old Leo
C G
Into Roddens bar Paul don't forget your banjo
Am G
Knock up all the old tribe Laurence, Liam, Billy
Am G
Hilary, Eileen, Seercha on the banks of Lough Swilly
[Verso 2]
G C G
We saw the big yellow moon go down; we played all night in Letterkenny
C G
Singing the Whistling thief all my mates were whistling with me
Am G
Playing tunes upon the ferry from Holy head or Stranraer
Am G
Hitched ourselves a ride to the steps of the Gweedor bar
[Verso 3]
G C G
After rolling out some tunes and all the cans that we could carry
C G
All pile in Seamus Macs bus through the road blocks outside Derry
Am G
John shouts for Paddy on the TurnpikeLaurence shouts Oh can ya/
Am G
Everyone we know there we must be in Buncrana
[Verso 4]
G C G
Stephen winks at Dinny Dinny winks at Paul
C G
Tomas is cradling his pipes, Martins cradling a football
Am G
Home to see old friends and family, feeling ten feet tall
Am G
From West Kilburn to Paddington Basinback to Donegal
[Verso 5]
G C G
Playing sets of reels and jigs, oh how I feel my soul flies
C G
From the bar to someones kitchen, singing to the sunrise
Am G
Elliets fiddle-bow is scratching, The Devils jig from her violin
Am G
Pauls long fingers picking The Butchers Apron, plucking on his banjo skin
[Verso 6]
G C G
Steves hand is like a humming bird, whipping out rhythm on the mandolin
C G
Smiling like George Formby, it makes me smile to see him grin
Am G
Catch the flying tune; its skipping and a-rolling in the rhythm
Am G
Catching a fiddlers dark brown eyes, I cant stop looking in them.
[Verso 7]
G C G
Such a crazy love we cant get enough, Im in love with the whole damn crowd of my friends
G C G
Im in love with them; were in love with the tune Were in love with the dance that will never end
Am G
Were in love with the winding roads that bend Through the mountains, valleys and down through the Glen
Am G
Were in love with the glimmering light on the hills Were in love with the bar that pays all our bills
[Verso 8]
G C G
The rhythm takes a hold of me; I cant keep my feet still
C G
This ones for the barman, the one who keeps my glass filled
Am G
Fionuallas crying a story of love thats shes been bursting to tell
Am G
Someones torn the clanger out of the landlords drinking bell
[Verso 9]
G C G
Ask the landlord to give us some of that beer that were helping him to sell
C G
Give us that song, you know how it goes the town I love so well
Am G
We dont know where we going, but well tell you where weve been
Am G
Im touching the earth, Im a travelling Man and Im joking with Ossian
G C G
Ive come from the land of the ever-young, Im a fool who keeps on falling in love
G C G
I love women and I cant get enough, Ill dance with them till my legs fall off
Am G
Teach them the Hokey Kokey, laughing well dance arm in arm
Am G
Now were off to Downings, Ballyshannon and Strabane
G C G
Killybegs, Malinhead then Sheephaven and Coleraine
C G
As true to our word the last time we were here that wed be back again
Am G
When were travelling well give your love to somebody who knows you
Am G
Lock us in here with you land lord weve got no homes to go to
G C G
I feel Im tearing myself away Ill love you and Ill leave ya
C G
Ill be back some old day to West Kilburn and Buncranna
Am G
The barmans shouting out to everybody Have you got no homes to go to?
Am G
I sing Ive got no home in this world anymore Im just passing through
G C G
Home is where my friends are and you are all part of me
C G
Ill leave you with this song are you coming Or are you going to try to stop me.
G C G
Home is where my friends are and you are all part of me
C G
Ill leave you with this song are you coming Or are you going to try to stop me.
How to play Back To Donegal
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.