Book of Song

Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore

by trad

From [D] Derry quay we sailed a- [G] way
on the [C] twenty- [G] third of [D] May
We were [G] boarded [D] by a pleasant crew,
bound for [G] Ameri- [C] kay
Fresh [G] water [D] there we did take on,
five thousand [G] gallons or [C] more
In [D] case we’d run short going to New [G] York
far [C] away from the [G] shamrock [D] shore.

[C] [G] [D]
[C] [G] [D]

So fare thee well, sweet Liza dear
and likewise to Derry town
And twice farewell to my comrades all
who dwell on that sainted ground
If fortune it ever should favour me,
or I should have money in store
I’ll go back and I’ll wed the wee lassie I left
on Paddy’s green shamrock shore.

We sailed three weeks, we were all seasick,
not a man on board was free
We were all confined unto our bunks,
and no one to pity poor me
No father kind or mother dear
to lift up my head which was sore
Which made me think more on the lassie I left
on Paddy’s green shamrock shore.

We safely reached the other side
in three and twenty days,
We were taken as passengers by a man
and sent round in six different ways,
We each of us drank a parting glass,
in case we should never meet more
And we drank a health to old Ireland
and Paddy’s green shamrock shore.