The Nightingale
View chords used in this chart
CAPO: 1
Intro: C G C G C G C F G C
verse 1:
G C
As I was a-walking and a-rambling one day
G
I spied a young couple, so fondly did stray
C G
And one was a young maid, so sweet and so fair
C F G C
And the other one was a soldier and a brave grenadier
[Refrão]
F G C
And they kissed so sweetly comforting as they clung to each other
G
They went arm and arm down the road like sister and brother
C G
They went arm and arm down the road 'til they came to a stream
C F G C
And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing
verse 2:
G C
Then out of his knapsack he drew a fine fiddle
G
And he played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear
C G
And he played her such a merry tune that the valley did ring
C F G C
"Ah, softly", cried the fair maid, hear the nightingale sing
[Refrão]
F G C
And they kissed so sweetly comforting as they clung to each other
G
They went arm and arm down the road like sister and brother
C G
They went arm and arm down the road 'til they came to a stream
C F G C
And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing
verse 3:
G C
Oh well, I'm off to India for seven long years
G
Drinking wine and strong whiskey instead of pale beers
C G
And if ever I return again, it will be in the spring
C F G C
And we'll both sit down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing
[Refrão]
F G C
And they kissed so sweetly comforting as they clung to each other
G
They went arm and arm down the road like sister and brother
C G
They went arm and arm down the road 'til they came to a stream
C F G C
And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing
verse 4:
G C
"Now," says the fair maid, "will you marry me"
G
"Oh no," says the soldier, "however can that be?"
C G
"For I've me own wife at home in me own countery
C N.C. (F) (G) C
And sure she is the fairest little thing that you ever did see"
[Refrão]
F G C
And they kissed so sweetly comforting as they clung to each other
G
They went arm and arm down the road like sister and brother
C G
They went arm and arm down the road 'til they came to a stream
C F G C
And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing
How to play The Nightingale
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.