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The title is a phonetic rendering of the Irish phrase An tSean bhean Bhocht or "The Poor Old Woman". The earliest reference to the song dates from 1797.

Shan Van Vocht

by trad
[A7] OH! the [D] French are [Em] on the [Bm] sea [pron. "say"],
Says the [D] Shan [G] Van [D] Vocht;
[A7] Oh! The [D] French are [Em] on the [Bm] sea,
Says the [D] Shan [G] Van [D] Vocht;
Oh! the French are [F#m] in the [G] Bay,
They’ll be [D] here with [E7] -out de [A] -lay,
[A7] And the [D] Orange [Em] will de [Bm] -cay,
Says the [D] Shan [G] Van [D] Vocht.

And where will they have their camp?
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
Where will they have their camp?
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
On the Curragh of Kildare,
The boys they will be there,
With their pikes in good repair,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

And what colour will they wear?
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
What colour will they wear?
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
What colours should be seen
Where their father’s homes have been
But their own immortal green?
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

And will Ireland then be free?
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
Will Ireland then be free?
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
Yes! Ireland shall be free,
From the centre to the sea;
Then hurrah for Liberty!
Says the Shan Van Vocht.