Baidin Fheilimi Irish song lyrics and chords
Báidín Fheilimidh guitar tab now added. A traditional song that was thought in schools in Ireland during the 1960s and 70s. Báidín Fheilimidh sheet music for tin whistle . The title of the song translate as ''Phelim's Little Boat'', Phelim was an Ulster chieftain who tried to escape his enemies in a small boat off the coast of Donegal Recorded by Na Casaidigh’s /The Cassidys and Sinéad O'Connors. As Gaeilge song lyrics . The guitar chords were worked out by Marc Fahrbach who comes from Germany, not bad for a German who had to put guitar chords to an Irish song for an Irishman. Stranger things have happened. Well done Marc. To play along with The Cassidys version place capo on the third fret.
Phelim’s Little Boat (English Translation)
Phelim’s little boat took off for Gola
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Phelim’s little boat took off for Gola
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Chorus:
A tiny little boat, a lively little boat
A foolish little boat, Phelim’s little boat
straight little boat, a willing little boat,
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Phelim’s little boat took off for Tory
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Phelim’s little boat took off for Tory
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Chorus
Phelim’s little boat was crushed against Tory
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Phelim’s little boat was crushed against Tory
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Alternative 3rd verse:
Phelim’s little boat was crushed against Tory
Fish on the table and Phelim with it
Phelim’s little boat was crushed against Tory
Fish on the table and Phelim with it
Phelim’s little boat took off for Gola
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Phelim’s little boat took off for Gola
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Chorus:
A tiny little boat, a lively little boat
A foolish little boat, Phelim’s little boat
straight little boat, a willing little boat,
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Phelim’s little boat took off for Tory
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Phelim’s little boat took off for Tory
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Chorus
Phelim’s little boat was crushed against Tory
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Phelim’s little boat was crushed against Tory
Phelim’s little boat and Phelim in it
Alternative 3rd verse:
Phelim’s little boat was crushed against Tory
Fish on the table and Phelim with it
Phelim’s little boat was crushed against Tory
Fish on the table and Phelim with it
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh d'imigh go (C)Gabhla,
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh ' s (Am)Feilimidh (D)ann,
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh d'imigh go (C)Gabhla
Báidín (D)Fheilimidh 's (G)Feilimidh ann.
Curfá:
(G)Báidín bídeach, (C)báidín (G)beosach,
(C)Báidín (Em)bóidheach, (D)báidín (G)Fheilimidh,
Báidín díreach, (C)báidín (G)déontach,
(C)Báidín (D)Fheilimidh 's (G)Feilimidh ann.
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh d ' imigh go (C)Toraigh,
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh 's (Am)Feilimidh (D)ann.
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh d ' imigh go (C)Toraigh,
Báidín (D)Fheilimidh 's (G)Feilimidh ann.
Curfá
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh briseadh i (C)dToraigh,
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh 's (Am)Feilimidh (D)ann.
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh briseadh i (C)dToraigh,
Báidín (D)Fheilimidh 's (G)Feilimidh ann.
An tríú véarsa eile:
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh briseadh i (C)dToraigh,
(G)Iasc ar bhord agus (Am)Feidhlimidh (D)ann.
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh briseadh i (C)dToraigh,
Iasc ar (D)bhord agus (G)Fheidhlimidh ann.
Curfá
Instrumental outro in F major:
F F F Bb
F F Gm C
F F F Bb
Bb C F
F F Bb F
Bb Dm C F
F F Bb F
Bb C F
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh ' s (Am)Feilimidh (D)ann,
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh d'imigh go (C)Gabhla
Báidín (D)Fheilimidh 's (G)Feilimidh ann.
Curfá:
(G)Báidín bídeach, (C)báidín (G)beosach,
(C)Báidín (Em)bóidheach, (D)báidín (G)Fheilimidh,
Báidín díreach, (C)báidín (G)déontach,
(C)Báidín (D)Fheilimidh 's (G)Feilimidh ann.
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh d ' imigh go (C)Toraigh,
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh 's (Am)Feilimidh (D)ann.
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh d ' imigh go (C)Toraigh,
Báidín (D)Fheilimidh 's (G)Feilimidh ann.
Curfá
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh briseadh i (C)dToraigh,
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh 's (Am)Feilimidh (D)ann.
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh briseadh i (C)dToraigh,
Báidín (D)Fheilimidh 's (G)Feilimidh ann.
An tríú véarsa eile:
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh briseadh i (C)dToraigh,
(G)Iasc ar bhord agus (Am)Feidhlimidh (D)ann.
(G)Báidín Fheilimidh briseadh i (C)dToraigh,
Iasc ar (D)bhord agus (G)Fheidhlimidh ann.
Curfá
Instrumental outro in F major:
F F F Bb
F F Gm C
F F F Bb
Bb C F
F F Bb F
Bb Dm C F
F F Bb F
Bb C F
It’s usually sung in a bright 2/4 or 4/4 rhythm, depending on the region —
we’ll go with 2/4 to keep that classic Irish boat-song bounce.
Below you’ll find:
A strumming pattern that matches the traditional rhythm.
A fingerpicking tab for the first verse — easy to play, rhythmic, and true to the song’s feel.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (2/4 Jig-like Folk Pulse)
Think of the rhythm as a light rowing motion — steady but bouncy.
Count: 1 2 (strong–soft)
Pattern:
↓ (bass) ↓↑
(count: 1 & 2 &)
Beat 1 → Downstroke on the bass note (for pulse)
Beat 2 → Light down-up across treble strings
It gives a nice boom–chick feel, perfect for Irish folk.
Example (G chord):
| G | G |
↓ ↓↑
1 & 2 &
Bass alternation ideas:
G → alternate 6th and 4th strings
C → alternate 5th and 4th strings
D → alternate 4th and 5th strings
Am → alternate 5th and 6th strings
Em → alternate 6th and 4th strings
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
We’ll use a steady alternating bass pattern to imitate that “rowing” rhythm.
Each measure has bass → treble → bass → treble, fitting the 2/4 feel.
Use:
Thumb (p) – bass strings (E, A, or D)
Index (i) – G string
Middle (m) – B string
First Verse Tab
G C G
e|--------3-----------3----------|--------0-------------0----------|--------3-----------3----------|
B|------0---0-------0---0--------|------1---1---------1---1--------|------0---0-------0---0--------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0------|----0-------0-----0-------0------|----0-------0---0-------0------|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2------------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|3-------------------------------2|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|---------------------------------|3-----------3------------------|
Báidín Fheilimidh d’imigh go Gabhla, Báidín Fheilimidh 's Feilimidh ann,
G C G Am D
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-------------0------|--------3-----------3------|--------0-----------2------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1----|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------3---3----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--2-----------2---------------|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|------------------------------|3-----------------------------|---------------------------|0---------------------------|
E|-3-----------3----------------|------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------|-----------------------------|
Báidín Fheilimidh d’imigh go Gabhla, Báidín Fheilimidh 's Feilimidh ann.
🎶 Performance Tips
Keep your thumb steady — this drives the rhythm like oars in the water.
Light touch on treble strings — let the melody float above the pulse.
Slight accent on beat 1 gives that traditional “rowing” motion.
You can hum or lightly whistle the melody between verses for effect.
we’ll go with 2/4 to keep that classic Irish boat-song bounce.
Below you’ll find:
A strumming pattern that matches the traditional rhythm.
A fingerpicking tab for the first verse — easy to play, rhythmic, and true to the song’s feel.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (2/4 Jig-like Folk Pulse)
Think of the rhythm as a light rowing motion — steady but bouncy.
Count: 1 2 (strong–soft)
Pattern:
↓ (bass) ↓↑
(count: 1 & 2 &)
Beat 1 → Downstroke on the bass note (for pulse)
Beat 2 → Light down-up across treble strings
It gives a nice boom–chick feel, perfect for Irish folk.
Example (G chord):
| G | G |
↓ ↓↑
1 & 2 &
Bass alternation ideas:
G → alternate 6th and 4th strings
C → alternate 5th and 4th strings
D → alternate 4th and 5th strings
Am → alternate 5th and 6th strings
Em → alternate 6th and 4th strings
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
We’ll use a steady alternating bass pattern to imitate that “rowing” rhythm.
Each measure has bass → treble → bass → treble, fitting the 2/4 feel.
Use:
Thumb (p) – bass strings (E, A, or D)
Index (i) – G string
Middle (m) – B string
First Verse Tab
G C G
e|--------3-----------3----------|--------0-------------0----------|--------3-----------3----------|
B|------0---0-------0---0--------|------1---1---------1---1--------|------0---0-------0---0--------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0------|----0-------0-----0-------0------|----0-------0---0-------0------|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2------------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|3-------------------------------2|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|---------------------------------|3-----------3------------------|
Báidín Fheilimidh d’imigh go Gabhla, Báidín Fheilimidh 's Feilimidh ann,
G C G Am D
e|--------3-----------3--------|--------0-------------0------|--------3-----------3------|--------0-----------2------|
B|------0---0-------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1----|------0---0-------0---0----|------1---1-------3---3----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----0-------0---0-------0--|----2-------2---2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--2-----------2---------------|--0-----------0------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|------------------------------|3-----------------------------|---------------------------|0---------------------------|
E|-3-----------3----------------|------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------|-----------------------------|
Báidín Fheilimidh d’imigh go Gabhla, Báidín Fheilimidh 's Feilimidh ann.
🎶 Performance Tips
Keep your thumb steady — this drives the rhythm like oars in the water.
Light touch on treble strings — let the melody float above the pulse.
Slight accent on beat 1 gives that traditional “rowing” motion.
You can hum or lightly whistle the melody between verses for effect.
Sinead O'Connor song Baidin Fheilime lyrics
Baidin Fheilimi guitar chords and tab. There a lot more guitar tabs for Irish songs included here .
Irish boy on a small boat
Báidín Fheilimidh guitar tab
