The Fields Of Athenry chords
by Paddy ReillySong Key: E Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 118 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner
Guitar Chords: B7, E, A, C#m
Beginners: see charts below for easy open-chord version of C#m
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
Fields Of Athenry
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key B7 E A E
Intro: 4/4 ‖ | 𝄎 | - | ‖
E A E B7
1. By a lone-ly pris-on wall I heard a young girl call-ing | 𝄎 |
E A B7
Mich-ael they have tak-en you a-way | 𝄎 |
E A E B7
For you stole Trev-el-yn's corn So the young might see the morn
E A E
Now a pris-on ship lies wait-ing in the | bay - | |
E A E C#m
Chorus: Low lie the Fields of Ath-en-ry
E C#m B7
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
E A E B7
Our love was on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing
E A E
It's so lone-ly 'round the Fields of Ath-en-|ry - | |
E A E B7
2. By a lone-ly pris-on wall I heard a young man call - in’ | 𝄎 |
E A B7
Noth-ing mat-ters Mar-y when you're free | 𝄎 |
E A E B7
A-gainst the Fam-ine and the Crown I re-belled they caught me down
E A E
Now you must raise our child with dig-ni-|ty - | |
E A E C#m
Chorus: Low lie the Fields of Ath-en-ry
E C#m B7
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
E A E B7
Our love was on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing
E A E
It's so lone-ly 'round the Fields of Ath-en-|ry - | |
E A E C#m E C#m B7
Instrumental: ‖ | | | | | | | 𝄎 ‖
E A E B7 E A E
‖ | | | | 𝄎 | 𝄎 | - | ‖
E A E B7
3. By a lone-ly har-bour wall She watched the last star fall-in’ | 𝄎 |
E A B7
As the pris-on ship sailed out a-gainst the sky | 𝄎 |
E A E B7
For she lived in hope and pray For her love in Bot-a-ny Bay
E A E
It's so lone-ly 'round the Fields of Ath-en-|ry - | |
E A E C#m
Chorus: Low lie the Fields of Ath-en-ry
E C#m B7
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
E A E B7
Our love was on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing
E A E
It's so lone-ly 'round the Fields of Ath-en-|ry - | |
B7 A E
Outro: ‖ | 𝄎 | | ‖Guitar Tutorial - Helpful Tips:
- Level Of Ease: Easy.
- Key Signature: E major - 4 sharps (F# C# G# D#)
- 4/4 time - 4 quarter-note beats per bar. The count is | 1 2 3 4 | or | 1& 2& 3& 4& | etc.
- If you haven't learned barre chords yet, you can play the alternative C#m chord. We have included it especially for beginners. It doesn't sound as full as the barre chord, as you are not leading with the root note of C# as your bass note. However, it will get you out of trouble if you haven't learned to play barre chords.
- When reading the charts, take note of the fret numbers, as we often assume that many charts lie somewhere between frets 1 and 3, however C#m starts on the 4th fret, and finishes on the 6th fret.
- B7 is probably the hardest amongst the list of basic guitar chords, but persevere with it because with time it becomes a very easy and natural chord to play... it will become one of your favorites, and by removing your first finger, you are playing Bm7. 🥳
- The song is very straight-forward. It is an Irish favorite, and after playing it a few times, you'll know why. ☘☘☘
Song Details:
- Songwriter: Pete St. John - Irish folk singer-songwriter.
- Date: 1970's
- Lyrics Begin: By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling,
- Performing Artist: Paddy Reilly
- Single:
Released: 1984
Country: Ireland
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Label: Ritz Records
B-side: The Town I Loved So Well - Genre: Irish Folk Song, Celtic
- Album: The Fields of Athenry
Released: 1982
Country: Ireland
Format: LP, Album
Label: Dolphin Records
