The Portuguese Sailor
View chords used in this chart
Afinação: E A D G B ECapotraste: Sem capotraste
[Verse 1]
Dm
It’s all for the love of a fair young maid
C Dm
That in Cabra West did reside
Myself I lived up in Donnybrook
F Gm A
It’s a one and five penny ride.
Dm C
But there was a fly in the ointment now
Am
That you very seldom see
Dm
For although I loved her terrible well
A Dm
She was in love with a Portugee.
[Verse 2]
Dm
Now he was a nasty piece of goods
C Dm
Gonzales was his name
And he couldn’t wait to get his hands
F Gm A
On Concepta, who was my dame.
Dm C
So I made a vow by the Grand Canal
Am
That I would do him in
Dm
For I did not like them Portugees
A Dm
And in particular I didn’t like him.
[Verse 3]
Dm
So I followed them up to Grafton Street
C Dm
One evening just for fun
Around by the ‘Mercers’ hospital
F Gm A
That’s next door to the Bartley Dunne’s.
Dm C
I espied them sitting in the corner seat
Am
They were kissing and holding hands
Dm
And there he was seducing her
A Dm
With pints of ‘Baby Cham.’
[Verse 4]
Dm
Then I followed him up to his lodgings
C Dm
In Rathgar or thereabouts
And as he walked up the alleyway
F Gm A
Sure I battered him inside and out.
Dm C
He gave out many an oath and swear
Am
Till he was dead I’m sure
Dm
Then I lifted up the manhole lid
A Dm
And I dropped him down the sewer.
[Verse 5]
Dm
Now when the ‘Mott’ she heard of this
C Dm
She made my life a hell
And all for the sake of peace and quiet
F Gm A
Sure I did her in as well.
Dm C
And now I’m up before the Judge
Am
To answer for my crime
Dm
He says: “I didn’t mind the first one, son
A Dm
But not the second time.”
[Verse 6]
Dm
So it’s all for the love of that fair young maid
C Dm
And her Portuguese sailor boy
For the passionate love of that fair young maid
F Gm A
I’ve landed in Mountjoy.
Dm C
And if I ever get out again
Am
My life I’ll change you see
Dm
And I’ll marry with a ‘Mott’ from Walkinstown
A Dm
Who wouldn’t look at a Portugee.
How to play The Portuguese Sailor
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 E. 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.