Written by Michael McConnell
Recorded by Christy Moore, Wolf Tones & others
intro C C or C G C C - theyre just suggestions
C G C C
F C G G
F F C C
G G Am Am
F F C C
F F G G (or E E7 to replace G G)
F F C C
G G Am Am
Key of Am
6/8 time
Chords and a suggested picking pattern
320033 G 643123
x22100 Am 543123
x32010 C 543123
xx3211 F 432123
C G C
When apples still grow in November
F C G
When blossoms still bloom on each tree
F F C
When leaves are still green in December
G G Am
It's then that our land will be free
F F C
I wander her hills and valleys
F F G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)
And still through my sorrow I see
F F C
A land that has never known freedom
G G Am
Only her rivers run free
C G C
I drink to the death of her manhood
F C G
Those men who would rather have died
F F C
Than to live in the cold chains of bondage
G G Am
To bring back their rights were denied
F F C
Where are you now when we need you
F F G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)
What burns where the flame used to be
F F C
Are ye gone like the snows of last winter
G G Am
Will only our rivers run free
C G C
How sweet is life but we're crying
F C G
How mellow the wine but we're dry
F F C
How fragrant the rose but it's dying
G G Am
How gentle the wind but it sighs
F F C
What good is in youth when it's ageing
F F G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)
What joy is in eyes that can't see
F F C
When there's sorrow in sunshine and flowers
G G Am (passing bass notes of E & G before the Am worth a try)
And only our rivers run free