Irish Soldier Song
[Verse]
C G F
I am the bride of Jack O’Grady
C G F
The finest man in county leash
C G F
It was a month ago last Friday noon
C G F
We said our vows before the priest
C G F
The sun was shining on the hills of Irish green
C G F
He says that some day I will live just like a queen
C G F
1861 will be our lucky year
C G F
And I think he is sincere
C G F
Yes I think he is sincere
[Chorus]
Am E
Cuz he’s an Irish sprite with a future bright in the factory he could toil
Am F G Am
But to my dismay in a week and a day he’s bound for American soil
Am E
In the one hand he’s his passage, in the other he’s a dream
Am F G Am
And he looks at me with his heart on fire and his Irish eyes agleam
F G
So won’t you tell me, mother, what’s a shy young bride to do?
F G
When her man sets sail on a western gale and he says, “I’ll send for you”
[Verse]
C G F
October 12th my darling Moira
C G F
Two lonely weeks upon the sea
C G F
The captain says that we are right on time
C G F
Soon in America I’ll be
C G F
And when I get there with the talent I enjoy
C G F
There is no doubt that I’ll be quick to find employ
C G F
1861 will be our lucky year
C G F
Oh how I wish that you were here
C G F
I miss you very much, my dear
[Chorus]
Am E
In the hold of a ship it’s a very long trip to the land of Amerikee
Am F G Am
And I won’t grow fat ‘less I beat the rats to the hard tack they call feed
Am E
And I swear by the waves I’ll scrimp and save and send my loving bride
Am F G Am
My fortune if that’s what it takes so she’ll enjoy the ride
F G
Oh you there in the crow’s nest can you still not see the shore?
F G
Cuz I’m wretched and I’m seasick and I cannot take much more
[Verse]
C G F
December 1 my darling Moira
C G F
I have such good news to report
C G F
I’m now a citizen of these United States
C G F
And I am living in New York
C G F
And very soon if I can save my money well
C G F
You will be bidding dear old Ireland farewell
C G F
1862 will be our lucky year
C G F
I think you’ll like it over here
C G F
I miss you very much my dear
[Chorus]
Am E
But a man in blue on a morning grey came knocking on my door
Am F G Am
And he says young men of fighting age are going off to war
Am E
And I have no voice, I have no choice, I do as they command
Am F G Am
These are not the United States oh how I hate this land
F G
And just a few short weeks ago my heart was filled with joy
F G
But now I am a soldier not a carefree Irish boy
[Interlude] x2
Am G F G
Am G
We fought for dear life in cold harbor one day
F G
Then Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Chesapeake Bay
Am G
Fixing our bayonet’s fighting the smoke
F G
One long last look at the letter you wrote
Am G
And it’s hail to old Abraham, brave Ulysses
F G
Death to the rebels and Robert E. Lee
Am G F G Am
‘Till we all go marching home
[Verse]
C G F
April 15 my darling Moira
C G F
Compared to most I can’t complain
C G F
There’s a little part of me on every battlefield
C G F
But all important parts remain
C G F
I’m not the carefree Irish boy I used to be
C G F
Nor will I ever be again
[Outro]
C G F
You could add 100 years to my short 23
C G F
And I’d not forget those fallen men
C G F
And for that reason I’ll be heading home to you
C G F
And dear old Ireland ‘cross the sea
C G F
1865 will be our lucky year
C G F
When Jack O’Grady leaves this pier
C G F
And the union soldier stays right here
C G F C
I’ll see you very soon my dear