Loch Tay Boat Song
View chords used in this chart
G Bm C D G
When I've done the work of day and I row my boat away
Em C D G Em Am D
Down the waters of Loch Tay when the evening light is fallin'
D7 G Bm C D G
Then I look towards Ben Lawers where the afterglories glow
Em C D G Em Am D G
And I dream on two bright eyes with a merry mouth below
C D G
SheUs my beauteous nighean ruach nighean ruach = red-haired lass
Em C D G
She's my joy and sorrow too
Em C D G
Though I own she is not true
Em Am D
Ah, but I cannot live without her
D7 G Bm
For my heart's a boat in tow
Em C D Bm
And I'd give the world to know
Em C D G
If she means to let me go
Em Am D G
As she sings horee horo
G Bm C D G
Nighean ruach, your lovely hair has more beauty I declare
Em C D G Em Am D
Than all the tresses fair from Killen to Aberfeldy
D7 G Bm C D G
Be they lint, white, gold or brown, be they blacker than the sloe
Em C D G Em Am D G
They mean not as much to me as a meltin' flake of snow
C D G
And her dance is like the gleam
Em C D G
Of the sunlight on the stream
Em C D G
And the songs the wee folk sing
Em Am D
Ah, they're the songs she sings at milkin'
D7 G Bm
But my heart is full of woe
Em C D Bm
For last night she bade me go
Em C D G
And the tears begin to flow
Em Am D G
As I sing horee horo
*To play it in C (for the Corries version) transpose -7
How to play Loch Tay Boat Song
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.