The Irish Rover
View chords used in this chart
verse 1:
G C
In the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and six
G D
We set sail from the Cobh quay of Cork
G C
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
G D G
For the grand city hall in New York
G D
Twas an elegant craft, she was rigged fore and aft
G D
And how the trade winds drove her
G Em C
She had twenty-three masts and she stood several blasts
G D7 G
And they called her the Irish Ro-ver
verse 2:
G C
We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags
G D
We had two million barrels of stones
G C
We had three million sides of old blind horses hides
G D G
We had four million barrels of bone
G D
We had five million hogs, six million dogs
G D
Seven million barrels of porter
G Em C
We had eight million bales of old nanny goats tails
G D7 G
In the hold of the Irish Ro-ver
verse 3:
G C
There was Barney McGee from the banks of the Lee
G D
There was Hogan from County Tyrone
G C
There was Johnny McGuirk who was scared stiff of work
G D G
And a chap from Westmeath named Malone
G D
There was Slugger O'Toole who was drunk as a rule
G D
And fighting Bill Tracy from Dover
G Em C
And your man Mick McCann from the banks of the Bann
G D7 G
Was the skipper of the Irish Ro-ver
verse 4:
G C
We had sailed seven years when the measles broke out
G D
And our ship lost it's way in the fog
G C
Then the whole of the crew was reduced down to two
G D G
Just myself and the captain’s old dog
G D
The ship struck a rock, oh Lord what a shock
G D
And nearly tumbled over
G Em C
It turned nine times around and the poor dog was drowned
G D7 G
I'm the last of the Irish Ro-ver
How to play The Irish Rover
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.