Johnny O Braidislee
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Em G D Em C D Em (x2)
Verse
G D Em
Johnny arose on a May mornin'
G B7
Gone for water tae wash his hands
Em G D Em
He hae loused tae me, oh, his twa grey dogs
C D Em
That lie bound in iron bands
Verse
G D Em
When Johnny's mother, she heard o' this
G B7
Her hands for dule she wrang
Em G D Em
Cryin', "Johnny, for yer venison
C D Em
Tae the green woods dinna ye gang"
Verse
G D Em
Aye, but Johnny hae taen his good benbow
G B7
His arrows one by one
Em G D Em
Aye, and he's awa tae the green wood gaen
C D Em
Tae dae the dun deer doon
Verse
G D Em
Oh Johnny, he shot, aye the dun deer she lapp't
G B7
He wounded her in the side
Em G D Em
Aye, between the water and the wood
C D Em
The grey dogs laid their pride
Instrumental
Em G D Em G B7
Em G D Em C D Em
Verse
G D Em
It's by there cam' a silly auld man
G B7
Wi' an ill that John he might dee
Em G D Em
Oh, and he's awa' doon tae Esslemont
C D Em
Well, the King's seven foresters tae see
Verse
G D Em
It's up and spake the first forester
G B7
He was heid ane amang them a'
Em G D Em
"Can this be Johnny O' Braidislee?
C D Em
Untae him we will draw"
Verse
G D Em
An' the first shot that the foresters, they fired
G B7
They wounded John in the knee
Em G D Em
An' the second shot that the foresters, they fired
C D Em
Well, his hairt's blood blint his e'e
Verse
G D Em
But he's leaned his back against an oak
G B7
An' his foot against a stane
Em G D Em
Oh and he hae fired on the seven foresters
C D Em
An' he's killed them a' but ane
Verse
G D Em
Aye, he hae broke fower o' this man's ribs
G B7
His airm and his collar bain
Em G D Em
Oh and he has sent him on a horse
C D Em
For tae carry the tidings hame
Instrumental
Em G D Em G B7
Em G D Em C D Em
Verse
G D Em
Johnny's good benbow, it lies broke
G B7
His twa grey dogs, they lie deid
Em G D Em
And his body, it lies doon in Monymusk
C D Em
And his huntin' days are daen
C D Em
His huntin' days are daen
Outro
Em G D Em G B7
Em G D Em C D Em C D Em
How to play Johnny O Braidislee
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 Em. 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.