Page 86
This song was written by Tommy Makem in 1967. Ireland is divided into four provinces: Connaught, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster. Six of the nine counties of Ulster are occupied by forces of the United Kingdom.
Nate capos on 2nd fret usually
Four Green Fields
by Tommy Makem
[G] “What [D] did I [G] have”, said the [C] fine old [G] woman
[G] “What [D] did I [G] have”, this [C] proud old woman did [D] say
“I had [G] four [D] green [Em] fields, [G] each one was a [D] jewel
But [G] stran- [D] gers [Em] came and [C] tried to take them from [D] me...
I had [G] fine [D] strong [Em] sons, they fought to [C] save my [D] jewels
They [C] fought and they [G] died, and that was my [D] grief” said [G] she.
“Long time ago”, said the fine old woman
“Long time ago”, this proud old woman did say
“There was war and death, plundering and pillage
My children starved, by mountain, valley and sea
and their wailing cries, they shook the very heavens
My four green fields ran red with their blood” said she.
“What have I now”, said the fine old woman
“What have I now”, this proud old woman did say
“I have four green fields, one of them’s in bondage.
In strangers’ hands that tried to take it from me.
But my sons had sons, as brave as were their father.
My fourth green field will bloom once again” said she.
[G] “What [D] did I [G] have”, this [C] proud old woman did [D] say
“I had [G] four [D] green [Em] fields, [G] each one was a [D] jewel
But [G] stran- [D] gers [Em] came and [C] tried to take them from [D] me...
I had [G] fine [D] strong [Em] sons, they fought to [C] save my [D] jewels
They [C] fought and they [G] died, and that was my [D] grief” said [G] she.
“Long time ago”, said the fine old woman
“Long time ago”, this proud old woman did say
“There was war and death, plundering and pillage
My children starved, by mountain, valley and sea
and their wailing cries, they shook the very heavens
My four green fields ran red with their blood” said she.
“What have I now”, said the fine old woman
“What have I now”, this proud old woman did say
“I have four green fields, one of them’s in bondage.
In strangers’ hands that tried to take it from me.
But my sons had sons, as brave as were their father.
My fourth green field will bloom once again” said she.