Arthur McBride lyrics and chords 

Christy Moore and Planxty recorded this old folk song.
Traditional. This one goes back to 1840s and was recorded by Planxty , Paul Brady and Bob Dylan. The first version is by Andy Irvine with Planxty. all the other versions of the song are included here. The sheet music is below. thanks to Marc Fahrbach for the guitar chords [ in chordpro ] for the planxty version. The ukulele chords are included. Back to the folk songs of Christy Moore .

[D]I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride 
he and[G] I took a[D] stroll down[Em] by the sea[G]side
a[D] seeking good fortune and what might the[Bm] tide
it was[D] just as the[Em] day was a[G] dawn[A]ing

And[D] after we rested we[G] went on a[D] tramp
we[G] met Seargeant[D] Napper and [Em]Corporal [G]Cramp
and a[D little wee drummer who[Bm] beat up our camp
with his[A] rowdy dou[G] dou in the mor[D]ning

He said my young fellows if you will enlist 
a guinea you quickly shall have in your fist
and besides a crown for to kick up the dust
and drink the King's health in the morning
but had we been such fools as to take the advance
the wee bit of money we'd have to run chance
do you think it no scruples for to send us to France
where we would be killed in the morning

He says my young fellows if I hear but one word
instantly now will out with my sword
and into your bodies as strength might afford 
so now me gay devils take warning
but Arthur and I we soon took the odds 
and we gave them no chance for to draw out their swords
our wacking shillelaghs came over their heads
and paid them right smart in the morning

As for the wee drummer we rifled his pouch
and we made a football of his rowdy dou dou
and into the ocean for to rock and to roll and 
barring the day its returning
as for the ould rapier that hung by his side
we flung as far as we could in the tide
To the divil I pitch you says Arthur McBride
to temper your edge in the morning.

I (C)had a first cousin called Arthur McBride,
He and (F)I took a (C)stroll down (Dm)by the sea(F)side
A-(C)seeking good fortune and (F)what might be(C)tide,
T'was just as the (Dm)day was a-(F)daw(G)ning
And then (C)after resting we (F)both took a (C)tramp,
We (F)met seargent (C)Harper and (Dm)corporal (F)Cramp
Be(C)sides the wee drummer who beat up for camp
With his rowdy-dow-(G)dow in the (C)morning
 
He says 'My young fellows, if you will enlist,
a Guinee you quickly will have in your fist
Besides a Crown for to kick up the dust
And drink the King's health in the morning'
Had we been such fools as to take the advance
The wee bit of money we’d have to run chance
‚Do ye think it no sruples for to send us to France
Where we would be killed in the morning ‚’
 
He says 'My young fellows, if I hear but one word,
I instantly now will out with my sword
And into your bodies as strength will afford,
So now, my gay devils, take warning'
But Arthur and I we took in the odds,
We gave them no chance to launge out their swords
Our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads
And paid them right smart in the morning
 
As for the young drummer we rifled his pouch
And we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow
And into the ocean to rock and to roll
And bade it a tedious returning
As for the old rapier that hung by his side
We flung it as far as we could in the tide
To the devil I pit you, says Arthur McBride
To temper your steel in the morning.

Long Version in G
 
I (G)had a first cousin called Arthur McBride
He and (C)I took a (G)stroll down (Am)by the sea(C)side;
(G)Seeking good fortune and (C)what might be(G)tide
It was just as the (Am)day was a'(C)daw(D)nin'
And (G)after restin' we (C)both took a (G)tramp
We (C)met Sergeant (G)Harper and (Am)Corporal (C)Cramp
Be(G)sides the wee drummer who beat up the camp
With his row-dee-(D)dow-dow in the (G)morning
 
He says my young fellows if you will enlist
A guinea you quickly will have in your fist
Besides a crown for to kick up the dust
And drink the King's health in the morning
For a soldier he leads a very fine life
He always is blessed with a charming young wife
And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife
And always lives happy and charming
 
And a soldier he always is decent and clean
In the finest of garments he's constantly seen
While other poor fellows go dirty and mean
And sup on thin gruel in the morning
Says Arthur, I wouldn't be proud of your clothes
You've only the lend of them as I suppose
And you dare not change them one night or you know
If you do you'll be flogged in the morning
 
And although we are single and free
We take great delight in our own company
And we have no desire strange countries to see
Although your offer is charming
And we have no desire to take your advance
All hazards and danger we barter on chance
and you'd have no scruples to send us to France
Where we would be shot without warning
 
And now says the sergeant, if I hear but one word
I'll instantly now will out with my sword
And into your bodies as strength will afford
So now my gay devils take warning
But Arthur and I we took the odds
We gave them no chance to launch out their swords
Whacking shillelaghs came over their heads
And paid them right smart in the morning
 
As for the wee drummer, we rifled his pow
And made a football of his row-do-dow-dow
Into the ocean to rock and to roll
And bade it a tedious returnin'
As for the old rapier that hung by his side
We flung it as far as we could in the tide
To the Devil I pitch you, says Arthur McBride
To temper your steel in the morning