Ballyroan Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords

A County Laois song written by Thomas Hodge and recorded by Bob Sharpe. Also sang by Deloris Keane who's version of the song My Own Dear Galway Bay has gained her great popularity.

I [G] love the [C] sunny shores of France
 I [D] love the Italian [G] clime 
Where beauty [C] beams o'er fields and streams
And [G] nature reigns sub -[D7]- lime
I love the [C] Alps, the winding Rhine
The [G] classic Po and [D] Rhone
But ten times [Em] more do I [C] adore
The [D] skies o'er Bally -[G]- roan

The golden [C] sun ne'er beamed upon
A [D] sweeter little [G] town
The purling [C] rill that drives the mill
Through [G] hazel shades runs [D7] down
The Motte, high [C] crowned with noble trees
Its [G] origins un -[D]- known
Its silver [Em] grace illumes the [C] plains 
For [D] miles round Bally -[G]- roan

The chapel [C] spire high over all
Points [D] to the crystal [G] sky
The vesper’s [C] chimes proclaim the time
When [G] evening worships [D7] nigh
And home the [C] weary workman hikes
His [G] hour of toil now [D] flown
With songs and [Em] cheer and Scully's [C] beer
En -[D]- livens Bally -[G]- roan

Oh, Bally -[C]- roan, my native home
Why [D] grieve my Irish [G] heart
Within my [C] breast with you oppressed
I'll [G] act a brave mans [D7] part
But should I [C] die for Ireland's cause
Like [G] Emmett or Wolfe [D] Tone
My last long [Em] sigh to Heaven on [C] high
Will [D] be for Bally -[G]- roan

Ballyroan Co. Laois