The Wild Rover
View chords used in this chart
Simplificar
Afinação: E A D G B ETecla: BbmCapotraste: Sem capotraste
This is a modal song in the key of Bb minor. This means that all notes and chords fit
into the Bb minor scale.
Much of the song never strays from the Bb power chord
The only deviation away from the Bbm scale is adding B (flattened 2nd) or F# (flattened
6th) to add tension.
You can hear the most often where they hammer on and off the B root note when playing
Bbm throughout the song.
Because of the modal nature of Irish folk, if you just wanted to strum along in Bb minor
the whole song,
you can and you'll sound good. In fact, the first 1/3rd of the song is mostly just a
drone Bb note.
It sounds like the guitar in the song sticks to 'power chords', but I've included the
full chord as well.
[Main Melody]
There are often embellishments to the melody, but this is the basic pattern you can
follow.
Bbm Fm
Wild rovin' I'll give it over Wild rovin' give o'er
e|----------------------------------------------------1--|
B|------1--2---------------------------1--2--4--2--4-----|
G|---3--------------------1--3-------3-------------------|
D|---------------3--1--3---------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------|
Ebsus2 Bbm
And I never will be called a Wild rover no more
e|----1--4--6--4--1-----------1----------------------|
B|-4-----------------4-----------4--2-----1----------|
G|-------------------------------------3-----1--3----|
D|---------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------|
[Verse 1]
Bbm
I've been a wild rover for many's a year
And I spent half me money drinkin' strong ale and beer
But now for the future I must take better care
In case that misfortune might come to my share
[Chorus 1]
Bbm
Wild rovin' I'll give it over
Wild rovin' give o'er
And I never will be called a
Wild rover no more
[Verse 2]
Bbm
I went into an alehouse I used to resort
And I told the landlady that my money was short
When she heard of my story, oh her answer 'twas nay
Saying "Custom such as yours I could have any day"
[Chorus]
Bbm
Wild rovin' I'll give it over
Fm
Wild rovin' give o'er
Ebsus2
And I never will be called a
Bbm
Wild rover no more
[Verse 3]
Bbm Fm
I put my hand in my pocket, some money to find
Ebsus2 Bbm
And I pulled out the full of my two fists five times
Bbm Fm
When she saw I had the money, and money galore
Ebsus2 Bbm
When she saw I had the money, well she called me her stór
Bbm Fm
Saying "I'll have me a whiskey and wines of the best
Ebsus2 Bbm
And the words I had spoken, they were only in jest"
[Chorus]
Bbm
Wild rovin' I'll give it over
Fm
Wild rovin' give o'er
Ebsus2
And I never will be called a
Bbm
Wild rover no more
[Verse 4]
Bbm
If I had half the money I left in your care
It would buy me ten acres and my family rear
It would thatch me a cottage, it would build me a barn
It would buy me a coat for to keep my back warm
[Solo]
Bbm Fm Ebsus2 Bbm
The solo is repeated variants of the melody over Bbm scale.
I encourage you to learn the scale and solo yourself.
[Outro]
Bbm Ab Ebsus2
How to play The Wild 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 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.