The Croppy Boy
View chords used in this chart
CAPO: 4
Intro: C F G
verse 1:
N.C. C F
It was early, early all in the spring
Dm G C
The birds did whistle and sweetly sing
F C
Changing their notes from tree to tree
Dm G F C
And the song they sang was Old Ireland Free
verse 2:
N.C. C F
It was early, early all in the night
Dm G C
The Yeoman cavalry gave me a fright
F C
The yeoman cavalry were my downfall
Dm G F C
I was taken prisoner by Lord Cornwall
INTERLUDE: C F G
verse 3:
N.C. C F
As I was walking up Wexford Street
Dm G C
My own first cousin I chanced to meet
F C
My own first cousin did me betray
Dm G F C
And for one bare guinea sold my life away
verse 4:
N.C. C F
And as I was walking up Wexford Hill
Dm G C
Oh, who could blame me to cry my fill?
F C
I looked behind and I looked before
Dm G F C
But my tender mother I could see no more
INTERLUDE: C F G
VERSE 5:
N.C. C F
And as I was mounted on the scaffold high
Dm G C
My own dear father was standing by
F C
My aged father did me deny
Dm G F C
And the name he gave me was the Croppy Boy
VERSE 6:
N.C. C F
It was in Dungannon this young man died
Dm G C
In (Prassygee) his body lies
F C
So all good people who do pass by
Dm G F C
Just shed a tear for the Croppy Boy
OUTRO: C F G C
How to play The Croppy Boy
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 C. 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.