Beeswing Lyrics And Guitar Chords
Written By Richard Thompson And Recorded By The Kings Of Cunnaught and Christy Moore. The song was also recorded by Nathan Carter and in 2019 by The Whistlin' Donkeys. Beeswing harmonica tab included.
I [G] 18 when i came to town thay called it the summer of love
burning babies burning flags the [D]against the[C]doves
i[G]took a job at the steaming way down on caltrim street
[G]fell in love with a laundry girl that was[D] working next to[C]me
[G]brown hair zig zagged across her face and a look of half suprise
[G] like a fox caught in the headlights there was[D] animal in her[C] eyes
[G] she said to me cant you see im not the factory kind
if you dont get me out of here il[D] surely lose my[C] mind
CHORUS
[EM]she was a rare thing fine as a[G] bees wing
[EM] so fine a breath of[D] wind might blow[C] her away
[EM she was a lost child she was[G] running wild[she said]
[EM]so long as theres no[D] price on love il[C] stay.
we busked around the market towns fruit picking down in kent
we could tinker pots and pans or knives wherever we went
we were camping down the gower one time,the work was might good
she could,nt wait for the harvest i thought we should
i said to here we,ll settle down,get a few acres dug
a fire burning in the heart and babbies on the rug
she said oh man you foolish man that surely sounds like hell
you might be lord to half the world you,l not own me as well
chorus
we were drinking more in does days our tempers reached a pitch
like a fool i let her run away when she got the rambling itch
last i heard she was living rough back on the derby beat
a bottle of white horse in her pocket,a wolfhound at her feet
thay say she got married once to a man called romanie brown
even a gypse caravan was to much like settling down
thay say here rose has faded,rough weather and hard booze
maybe thats the price you pay for the chains that you refuse
she was a rare thing fine as a bees wing
i miss her more than ever words can say
if i couold just taste all her wildness now
if i could hold her in my arms today
i[Am] wouldnt want her[Em] any other[C] way
burning babies burning flags the [D]against the[C]doves
i[G]took a job at the steaming way down on caltrim street
[G]fell in love with a laundry girl that was[D] working next to[C]me
[G]brown hair zig zagged across her face and a look of half suprise
[G] like a fox caught in the headlights there was[D] animal in her[C] eyes
[G] she said to me cant you see im not the factory kind
if you dont get me out of here il[D] surely lose my[C] mind
CHORUS
[EM]she was a rare thing fine as a[G] bees wing
[EM] so fine a breath of[D] wind might blow[C] her away
[EM she was a lost child she was[G] running wild[she said]
[EM]so long as theres no[D] price on love il[C] stay.
we busked around the market towns fruit picking down in kent
we could tinker pots and pans or knives wherever we went
we were camping down the gower one time,the work was might good
she could,nt wait for the harvest i thought we should
i said to here we,ll settle down,get a few acres dug
a fire burning in the heart and babbies on the rug
she said oh man you foolish man that surely sounds like hell
you might be lord to half the world you,l not own me as well
chorus
we were drinking more in does days our tempers reached a pitch
like a fool i let her run away when she got the rambling itch
last i heard she was living rough back on the derby beat
a bottle of white horse in her pocket,a wolfhound at her feet
thay say she got married once to a man called romanie brown
even a gypse caravan was to much like settling down
thay say here rose has faded,rough weather and hard booze
maybe thats the price you pay for the chains that you refuse
she was a rare thing fine as a bees wing
i miss her more than ever words can say
if i couold just taste all her wildness now
if i could hold her in my arms today
i[Am] wouldnt want her[Em] any other[C] way
The Whistling Donkeys song ''Beeswing''.
This is **"Beeswing"** by **Richard Thompson**. It's a beautiful folk song, and you've already identified most of the chords correctly!
Here is the complete song with chords for all the verses, a suggested strumming pattern, and a simple fingerpicking pattern for the first verse.
---
## 🎸 Chords for "Beeswing" (Richard Thompson)
The primary chords are **G, D, C, and Em**.
### **Verse 1**
I [G] was 18 when I came to town, they called it the summer of love
Burning babies, burning flags, the [D] war against [C] the doves
I [G] took a job at the steaming place down on Calton Street
[G] Fell in love with a laundry girl that was [D] working next to [C] me
[G] Brown hair zig-zagged across her face and a look of half-surprise
[G] Like a fox caught in the headlights, there was [D] animal in her [C] eyes
She [G] said to me, "Can't you see, I'm not the factory kind.
If you don't get me out of here, I'll [D] surely lose my [C] mind."
### **Chorus**
[Em] She was a rare thing, fine as a [G] beeswing,
[Em] So fine a breath of [D] wind might blow [C] her away.
[Em] She was a lost child, she was [G] running wild, she said,
[Em] "So long as there's no [D] price on love, I'll [C] stay."
### **Verse 2**
We [G] busked around the market towns, fruit-picking down in Kent
We could [D] tinker pots and [C] pans or knives, wherever we went
We were [G] camping down the Gower one time, the work was mighty good
She [G] couldn't wait for the harvest, I thought we should
I [G] said to her, "We'll settle down, get a few acres dug.
A fire [D] burning in the [C] heart and babies on the rug."
She [G] said, "Oh man, you foolish man, that surely sounds like hell!
You [G] might be lord to half the world, you'll [D] not own me as [C] well."
### **Chorus**
[Em] She was a rare thing, fine as a [G] beeswing,
[Em] So fine a breath of [D] wind might blow [C] her away.
[Em] She was a lost child, she was [G] running wild, she said,
[Em] "So long as there's no [D] price on love, I'll [C] stay."
### **Verse 3**
We were [G] drinking more in those days, our tempers reached a pitch
Like a [D] fool I let her [C] run away when she got the rambling itch
Last I [G] heard she was living rough, back on the Derby beat
A [G] bottle of white horse in her pocket, a [D] wolfhound at her [C] feet
They [G] say she got married once to a man called Romany Brown
Even a [D] gypsy caravan was [C] too much like settling down
They [G] say her rose has faded, rough weather and hard booze
[G] Maybe that's the price you pay for the [D] chains that you re[C]fuse.
---
## 🎸 Strumming and Fingerpicking Patterns
### 1. Strumming Pattern
This song works well with a gentle, flowing, **folk/ballad strum**. Use a light touch to keep the melancholic mood.
* **Pattern:** **Down $\downarrow$ Down-Up $\uparrow$ Up-Down-Up $\uparrow$**
* **Count:** **1** $\uparrow$ **2** $\uparrow$ **3** $\uparrow$ **4** $\uparrow$
> *For the most common measure in the verse (a single chord held for four beats, like the opening **G**), repeat this pattern once.*
### 2. Simple Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
Richard Thompson often uses a specific fingerpicking style, but here is a simplified pattern you can use to capture the feel of the song. Focus on a steady **Bass-Chord-Bass-Chord** pattern using your thumb and fingers.
Use your **Thumb (P)** for the bass notes (low E, A, or D strings) and your **Index (i)** and **Middle (m)** fingers for the treble strings (G, B, and high E).
| Beat | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **G Chord** | P (Low E) | i & m (G, B) | P (Low E) | i & m (G, B) |
| **C Chord** | P (A String) | i & m (G, B) | P (A String) | i & m (G, B) |
| **D Chord** | P (D String) | i & m (G, B) | P (D String) | i & m (G, B) |
| **Em Chord** | P (Low E) | i & m (G, B) | P (Low E) | i & m (G, B) |
**Example for the first line:** "I was 18 when I came to town..."
$$\text{G . . . G . . . G . . . G . . .}$$
$$\text{P i m P i m P i m P i m}$$
**Example for the transition:** "...the war against the doves"
$$\text{D . . . D . . . C . . . C . . .}$$
$$\text{P i m P i m P i m P i m}$$
By keeping this simple alternating bass pattern, you'll be able to play the entire song smoothly.
---
This is **"Beeswing"** by **Richard Thompson**. It's a beautiful folk song, and you've already identified most of the chords correctly!
Here is the complete song with chords for all the verses, a suggested strumming pattern, and a simple fingerpicking pattern for the first verse.
---
## 🎸 Chords for "Beeswing" (Richard Thompson)
The primary chords are **G, D, C, and Em**.
### **Verse 1**
I [G] was 18 when I came to town, they called it the summer of love
Burning babies, burning flags, the [D] war against [C] the doves
I [G] took a job at the steaming place down on Calton Street
[G] Fell in love with a laundry girl that was [D] working next to [C] me
[G] Brown hair zig-zagged across her face and a look of half-surprise
[G] Like a fox caught in the headlights, there was [D] animal in her [C] eyes
She [G] said to me, "Can't you see, I'm not the factory kind.
If you don't get me out of here, I'll [D] surely lose my [C] mind."
### **Chorus**
[Em] She was a rare thing, fine as a [G] beeswing,
[Em] So fine a breath of [D] wind might blow [C] her away.
[Em] She was a lost child, she was [G] running wild, she said,
[Em] "So long as there's no [D] price on love, I'll [C] stay."
### **Verse 2**
We [G] busked around the market towns, fruit-picking down in Kent
We could [D] tinker pots and [C] pans or knives, wherever we went
We were [G] camping down the Gower one time, the work was mighty good
She [G] couldn't wait for the harvest, I thought we should
I [G] said to her, "We'll settle down, get a few acres dug.
A fire [D] burning in the [C] heart and babies on the rug."
She [G] said, "Oh man, you foolish man, that surely sounds like hell!
You [G] might be lord to half the world, you'll [D] not own me as [C] well."
### **Chorus**
[Em] She was a rare thing, fine as a [G] beeswing,
[Em] So fine a breath of [D] wind might blow [C] her away.
[Em] She was a lost child, she was [G] running wild, she said,
[Em] "So long as there's no [D] price on love, I'll [C] stay."
### **Verse 3**
We were [G] drinking more in those days, our tempers reached a pitch
Like a [D] fool I let her [C] run away when she got the rambling itch
Last I [G] heard she was living rough, back on the Derby beat
A [G] bottle of white horse in her pocket, a [D] wolfhound at her [C] feet
They [G] say she got married once to a man called Romany Brown
Even a [D] gypsy caravan was [C] too much like settling down
They [G] say her rose has faded, rough weather and hard booze
[G] Maybe that's the price you pay for the [D] chains that you re[C]fuse.
---
## 🎸 Strumming and Fingerpicking Patterns
### 1. Strumming Pattern
This song works well with a gentle, flowing, **folk/ballad strum**. Use a light touch to keep the melancholic mood.
* **Pattern:** **Down $\downarrow$ Down-Up $\uparrow$ Up-Down-Up $\uparrow$**
* **Count:** **1** $\uparrow$ **2** $\uparrow$ **3** $\uparrow$ **4** $\uparrow$
> *For the most common measure in the verse (a single chord held for four beats, like the opening **G**), repeat this pattern once.*
### 2. Simple Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
Richard Thompson often uses a specific fingerpicking style, but here is a simplified pattern you can use to capture the feel of the song. Focus on a steady **Bass-Chord-Bass-Chord** pattern using your thumb and fingers.
Use your **Thumb (P)** for the bass notes (low E, A, or D strings) and your **Index (i)** and **Middle (m)** fingers for the treble strings (G, B, and high E).
| Beat | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **G Chord** | P (Low E) | i & m (G, B) | P (Low E) | i & m (G, B) |
| **C Chord** | P (A String) | i & m (G, B) | P (A String) | i & m (G, B) |
| **D Chord** | P (D String) | i & m (G, B) | P (D String) | i & m (G, B) |
| **Em Chord** | P (Low E) | i & m (G, B) | P (Low E) | i & m (G, B) |
**Example for the first line:** "I was 18 when I came to town..."
$$\text{G . . . G . . . G . . . G . . .}$$
$$\text{P i m P i m P i m P i m}$$
**Example for the transition:** "...the war against the doves"
$$\text{D . . . D . . . C . . . C . . .}$$
$$\text{P i m P i m P i m P i m}$$
By keeping this simple alternating bass pattern, you'll be able to play the entire song smoothly.
---
Alternative version of first verses and chorus.
🎵 Key: G Major
Time signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~85 BPM (moderate folk ballad)
🎸 STRUMMING PATTERN
For verses: soft and rhythmic — light folk swing.
For chorus: slightly fuller, with stronger downbeats.
Pattern:
👉 Down – Down Up – Up Down Up
Count:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
Play it like this:
Beat 1 = strong Down
Beat 2 = light Down-Up
Beat 3 = Up (let it ring)
Beat 4 = Down-Up
Alternate the bass note on beats 1 and 3 if you want a more traditional folk feel.
🎶 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse & Chorus
Use Travis picking style — alternating thumb bass with finger melody.
Right-hand guide:
P (thumb) = bass strings (E, A, D)
I (index) = G string
M (middle) = B string
A (ring) = high E string
Verse 1 – “I was eighteen when I came to town…”
[G]
e|------------------3----------------------3-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|-----------------------------------------------------|
A|----------2----------------------2-------------------|
E|--3----------------------3---------------------------|
I was eighteen when I came to town they called it summer of love
[D]
e|------------------2----------------------2-----------|
B|----------3----------3-----------3----------3--------|
G|------2------2-----------2---2------2-----------2----|
D|--0--------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
[C]
e|------------------0----------------------0-----------|
B|----------1----------1-----------1----------1--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|--2--------------------------------------------------|
A|3----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
Burning babies burning flags against the doves
Continue the same picking flow for the next lines:
[G]
I took a job at the steamin' way down on Caltrim Street
e|------------------3----------------------3-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|-----------------------------------------------------|
A|----------2----------------------2-------------------|
E|--3----------------------3---------------------------|
[G] Fell in love with a laundry girl that was [D]working next to [C]me
Chorus – “She was a rare thing…”
[Em]
e|------------------0----------------------0-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|--2--------------------------------------------------|
A|2----------------------------------------------------|
E|0----------------------------------------------------|
She was a rare thing, fine as a beeswing
[G]
e|------------------3----------------------3-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|-----------------------------------------------------|
A|----------2----------------------2-------------------|
E|--3----------------------3---------------------------|
[Em]
e|------------------0----------------------0-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|--2--------------------------------------------------|
A|2----------------------------------------------------|
E|0----------------------------------------------------|
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
[D]
e|------------------2----------------------2-----------|
B|----------3----------3-----------3----------3--------|
G|------2------2-----------2---2------2-----------2----|
D|--0--------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
[C]
e|------------------0----------------------0-----------|
B|----------1----------1-----------1----------1--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|--2--------------------------------------------------|
A|3----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
So long as there’s no price on love, I’ll stay
🎵 Key: G Major
Time signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~85 BPM (moderate folk ballad)
🎸 STRUMMING PATTERN
For verses: soft and rhythmic — light folk swing.
For chorus: slightly fuller, with stronger downbeats.
Pattern:
👉 Down – Down Up – Up Down Up
Count:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
Play it like this:
Beat 1 = strong Down
Beat 2 = light Down-Up
Beat 3 = Up (let it ring)
Beat 4 = Down-Up
Alternate the bass note on beats 1 and 3 if you want a more traditional folk feel.
🎶 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse & Chorus
Use Travis picking style — alternating thumb bass with finger melody.
Right-hand guide:
P (thumb) = bass strings (E, A, D)
I (index) = G string
M (middle) = B string
A (ring) = high E string
Verse 1 – “I was eighteen when I came to town…”
[G]
e|------------------3----------------------3-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|-----------------------------------------------------|
A|----------2----------------------2-------------------|
E|--3----------------------3---------------------------|
I was eighteen when I came to town they called it summer of love
[D]
e|------------------2----------------------2-----------|
B|----------3----------3-----------3----------3--------|
G|------2------2-----------2---2------2-----------2----|
D|--0--------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
[C]
e|------------------0----------------------0-----------|
B|----------1----------1-----------1----------1--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|--2--------------------------------------------------|
A|3----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
Burning babies burning flags against the doves
Continue the same picking flow for the next lines:
[G]
I took a job at the steamin' way down on Caltrim Street
e|------------------3----------------------3-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|-----------------------------------------------------|
A|----------2----------------------2-------------------|
E|--3----------------------3---------------------------|
[G] Fell in love with a laundry girl that was [D]working next to [C]me
Chorus – “She was a rare thing…”
[Em]
e|------------------0----------------------0-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|--2--------------------------------------------------|
A|2----------------------------------------------------|
E|0----------------------------------------------------|
She was a rare thing, fine as a beeswing
[G]
e|------------------3----------------------3-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|-----------------------------------------------------|
A|----------2----------------------2-------------------|
E|--3----------------------3---------------------------|
[Em]
e|------------------0----------------------0-----------|
B|----------0----------0-----------0----------0--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|--2--------------------------------------------------|
A|2----------------------------------------------------|
E|0----------------------------------------------------|
So fine a breath of wind might blow her away
[D]
e|------------------2----------------------2-----------|
B|----------3----------3-----------3----------3--------|
G|------2------2-----------2---2------2-----------2----|
D|--0--------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
[C]
e|------------------0----------------------0-----------|
B|----------1----------1-----------1----------1--------|
G|------0------0-----------0---0------0-----------0----|
D|--2--------------------------------------------------|
A|3----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
So long as there’s no price on love, I’ll stay
Beeswing harmonica tab
Below is the list of songs in the Christy Moore pdf song book. Over 50 of Christy's greatest songs
with sheet music and tin whistle notes. Price €8.75. Beeswing included.
with sheet music and tin whistle notes. Price €8.75. Beeswing included.
