CAOINE CILL CHAIS lyrics and chords
(Lament For Kilcash) 3/4
The sheet music score for tin whistle is included. As played by the Dubliners use Capo on 2nd fret as Gaeilge lirici agus ceol. Guitar chords by Marc Fahrbach. Recorded by The Wolfe Tones, also recorded by The Cassidys [Na Casaidigh] The tin whistle letter notes are included.
The sheet music score for tin whistle is included. As played by the Dubliners use Capo on 2nd fret as Gaeilge lirici agus ceol. Guitar chords by Marc Fahrbach. Recorded by The Wolfe Tones, also recorded by The Cassidys [Na Casaidigh] The tin whistle letter notes are included.
Cad a (D)dhéanfaimid feasta gan (G)adh(D)mad?
Tá deireadh na gcoillte ar (A)lár;
níl (D)trácht ar Chill Cháis ná ar a (G)teagh(D)lach
is ní bainfear a (A)cling go (D)bráth.
An áit úd a gcónaiodh an (G)deigh(A)bhean
fuair (D)gradam is meidhir thar (A)mhnáibh,
bhíodh (D)iarlaí ag tarraingt tar (G)toinn (D)ann
is an t-aifreann (A)binn á (D)rá.
Ní (D)chluinim fuiaim lachan ná (G)gé (D)ann,
ná fiolar ag éamh sois (A)cuain,
ná (D)fiú na mbeacha chun (G)sao(D)thair
thabharfadh mil agus (A)céir don (D)tslua.
Níl ceol binn milis na (G)n-éan (A)ann
le (D)hamharc an lae a dhul (A)uainn,
náan (D)chuaichín i mbarra na (G)ngéag (D)ann,
ós í chuirfeadh an (A)saol chun (D)suain.
Tá (D)ceo ag titim ar (G)chraobha (D)ann
ná glanann le gréin ná (G)lá,
tá (D)smúid ag titim ón (G)spéir (D)ann
is a cuid uisce g (A)léir ag (D)trá.
Níl coll, níl cuileann, níl (G)caor (A)ann,
ach (D)clocha is maolchlochá(A)in,
páirc an (D)chomhair gan (G)chraobh (D)ann
is d' imigh an (A)géim chun (D)fáin.
An(D)ois mar bharr ar gach mígh(G)rean(D)ni,
chuaigh prionsa na nGael thar (A)sáil
an(D)onn le hainnir na (G)mí(D)ne
fuair gradam sa (A)bhFrainc is sa (D)Spáinn.
Anois tá a cuallacht á (G)caoi(A)neadh,
Gheib(D)beadh airgead buí agus (A)bán;
's í ná (D)tógladh sillbh na (G)nda(D)oine,
ach cara na (A)bhfíorbhoch(D)tán.
Ai(D)cim ar Mhuire is ar (G)Io(D)sa
go dtaga sí arís chughainn (A)slán,
go (D)mbeidh rincí fada ag (G)gabháil (D)timpeall,
ceol veidhlín is (A)tinte (D)cnámh;
go dtógtar an baile seo ár (G)sin(A)sear
Cill (D)Chais bhreá arís go (A)hard,
is go (D)bráth nó go dtiocfaidh an (G)dí(D)le
ná feictear é (A)arís ar(D)lár.
Tá deireadh na gcoillte ar (A)lár;
níl (D)trácht ar Chill Cháis ná ar a (G)teagh(D)lach
is ní bainfear a (A)cling go (D)bráth.
An áit úd a gcónaiodh an (G)deigh(A)bhean
fuair (D)gradam is meidhir thar (A)mhnáibh,
bhíodh (D)iarlaí ag tarraingt tar (G)toinn (D)ann
is an t-aifreann (A)binn á (D)rá.
Ní (D)chluinim fuiaim lachan ná (G)gé (D)ann,
ná fiolar ag éamh sois (A)cuain,
ná (D)fiú na mbeacha chun (G)sao(D)thair
thabharfadh mil agus (A)céir don (D)tslua.
Níl ceol binn milis na (G)n-éan (A)ann
le (D)hamharc an lae a dhul (A)uainn,
náan (D)chuaichín i mbarra na (G)ngéag (D)ann,
ós í chuirfeadh an (A)saol chun (D)suain.
Tá (D)ceo ag titim ar (G)chraobha (D)ann
ná glanann le gréin ná (G)lá,
tá (D)smúid ag titim ón (G)spéir (D)ann
is a cuid uisce g (A)léir ag (D)trá.
Níl coll, níl cuileann, níl (G)caor (A)ann,
ach (D)clocha is maolchlochá(A)in,
páirc an (D)chomhair gan (G)chraobh (D)ann
is d' imigh an (A)géim chun (D)fáin.
An(D)ois mar bharr ar gach mígh(G)rean(D)ni,
chuaigh prionsa na nGael thar (A)sáil
an(D)onn le hainnir na (G)mí(D)ne
fuair gradam sa (A)bhFrainc is sa (D)Spáinn.
Anois tá a cuallacht á (G)caoi(A)neadh,
Gheib(D)beadh airgead buí agus (A)bán;
's í ná (D)tógladh sillbh na (G)nda(D)oine,
ach cara na (A)bhfíorbhoch(D)tán.
Ai(D)cim ar Mhuire is ar (G)Io(D)sa
go dtaga sí arís chughainn (A)slán,
go (D)mbeidh rincí fada ag (G)gabháil (D)timpeall,
ceol veidhlín is (A)tinte (D)cnámh;
go dtógtar an baile seo ár (G)sin(A)sear
Cill (D)Chais bhreá arís go (A)hard,
is go (D)bráth nó go dtiocfaidh an (G)dí(D)le
ná feictear é (A)arís ar(D)lár.
“Cill Chais” (Cad a Dhéanfaimid Feasta gan Adhmad?) is one of the most haunting Irish laments.
It should be played slowly and reverently in 3/4 time — a lamenting waltz feel, soft and flowing, with long ringing chords and gentle movement.
Here's a strumming pattern and a fingerpicking tab for the first verse, in D major.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Slow Air / Waltz Feel)
Count: 1 2 3
A slow, expressive waltz — you’ll feel 1 as a soft bass beat, 2–3 as a light brush.
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
(count: 1 2& 3&)
Beat 1: Downstroke on the bass note (gentle emphasis)
Beats 2–3: Light down-up brushing motion on higher strings
Let chords ring and overlap — no sharp cuts.
Example (D chord):
| D | D |
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
1 2& 3&
Optional bass alternation:
D → alternate between 4th & 5th strings
G → alternate between 6th & 4th strings
A → alternate between 5th & 4th strings
This creates a soft “ONE-two-three” rocking motion.
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
We’ll use a 3/4 arpeggio pattern with an alternating bass for each chord.
Each measure = three beats:
Thumb (p) → Index (i) → Middle (m)
Then repeat for each bar.
Use:
Thumb (p) on bass (E, A, D)
Index (i) on G
Middle (m) on B
This creates a gentle “rolling waltz” feel.
First Verse Tab
D G D
e|--------2-------------2--------|--------3-------------3--------|--------2-------------2--------|
B|------3---3---------3---3------|------0---0---------0---0------|------3---3---------3---3------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--0-----------0----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|----------------2---------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-3------------------------------|-------------------------------|
Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad? Tá deireadh na gcoillte ar lár;
D A D
e|--------2-------------2--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------2-------------2--------|
B|------3---3---------3---3------|------2---2---------2---2------|------3---3---------3---3------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------|
níl trácht ar Chill Cháis ná ar a teaghlach, is ní bainfear a cling go bráth.
D G A
e|--------2-------------2-------|--------3-------------3-------|--------0-------------0-------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----|------0---0---------0---0-----|------2---2---------2---2-----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----0-------0-----0-------0---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|
D|--0-----------0---------------|--0-----------0---------------|--2-----------2---------------|
A|-------------------------------|----------------2--------------|0-----------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|------------------------------|
An áit úd a gcónaiodh an deighbhean, fuair gradam is meidhir thar mhnáibh,
D G D A D
e|--------2-------------2-------|--------3-------------3-------|--------2-------------2-------|--------0-------------0-------|--------2-------------2-------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----|------0---0---------0---0-----|------3---3---------3---3-----|------2---2---------2---2-----|------3---3---------3---3-----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----0-------0-----0-------0---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|
D|--0-----------0---------------|--0-----------0---------------|--0-----------0---------------|--2-----------2---------------|--0-----------0---------------|
A|-------------------------------|----------------2--------------|-------------------------------|0-----------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-3------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------|
bhíodh iarlaí ag tarraingt tar toinn ann, is an t-aifreann binn á rá.
🎶 Performance Tips
Keep tempo slow and expressive (≈ 60–70 bpm).
Let bass notes linger slightly before plucking the upper strings.
Slightly emphasize the first beat of each bar — the “heart” of the waltz.
Allow natural pauses at phrase ends (the song breathes like a lament).
Use fingers only (no pick) for warmth and intimacy.
It should be played slowly and reverently in 3/4 time — a lamenting waltz feel, soft and flowing, with long ringing chords and gentle movement.
Here's a strumming pattern and a fingerpicking tab for the first verse, in D major.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Slow Air / Waltz Feel)
Count: 1 2 3
A slow, expressive waltz — you’ll feel 1 as a soft bass beat, 2–3 as a light brush.
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
(count: 1 2& 3&)
Beat 1: Downstroke on the bass note (gentle emphasis)
Beats 2–3: Light down-up brushing motion on higher strings
Let chords ring and overlap — no sharp cuts.
Example (D chord):
| D | D |
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
1 2& 3&
Optional bass alternation:
D → alternate between 4th & 5th strings
G → alternate between 6th & 4th strings
A → alternate between 5th & 4th strings
This creates a soft “ONE-two-three” rocking motion.
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
We’ll use a 3/4 arpeggio pattern with an alternating bass for each chord.
Each measure = three beats:
Thumb (p) → Index (i) → Middle (m)
Then repeat for each bar.
Use:
Thumb (p) on bass (E, A, D)
Index (i) on G
Middle (m) on B
This creates a gentle “rolling waltz” feel.
First Verse Tab
D G D
e|--------2-------------2--------|--------3-------------3--------|--------2-------------2--------|
B|------3---3---------3---3------|------0---0---------0---0------|------3---3---------3---3------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--0-----------0----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|----------------2---------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-3------------------------------|-------------------------------|
Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad? Tá deireadh na gcoillte ar lár;
D A D
e|--------2-------------2--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------2-------------2--------|
B|------3---3---------3---3------|------2---2---------2---2------|------3---3---------3---3------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------|
níl trácht ar Chill Cháis ná ar a teaghlach, is ní bainfear a cling go bráth.
D G A
e|--------2-------------2-------|--------3-------------3-------|--------0-------------0-------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----|------0---0---------0---0-----|------2---2---------2---2-----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----0-------0-----0-------0---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|
D|--0-----------0---------------|--0-----------0---------------|--2-----------2---------------|
A|-------------------------------|----------------2--------------|0-----------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|------------------------------|
An áit úd a gcónaiodh an deighbhean, fuair gradam is meidhir thar mhnáibh,
D G D A D
e|--------2-------------2-------|--------3-------------3-------|--------2-------------2-------|--------0-------------0-------|--------2-------------2-------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----|------0---0---------0---0-----|------3---3---------3---3-----|------2---2---------2---2-----|------3---3---------3---3-----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----0-------0-----0-------0---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|
D|--0-----------0---------------|--0-----------0---------------|--0-----------0---------------|--2-----------2---------------|--0-----------0---------------|
A|-------------------------------|----------------2--------------|-------------------------------|0-----------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-3------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------|
bhíodh iarlaí ag tarraingt tar toinn ann, is an t-aifreann binn á rá.
🎶 Performance Tips
Keep tempo slow and expressive (≈ 60–70 bpm).
Let bass notes linger slightly before plucking the upper strings.
Slightly emphasize the first beat of each bar — the “heart” of the waltz.
Allow natural pauses at phrase ends (the song breathes like a lament).
Use fingers only (no pick) for warmth and intimacy.
These are the tin whistle notes as played by Jean in the video.
B A G F E G A B E D B G A B B A G A
B A G F E G A B E D B G A B A G G
D D B C D E F G F E E D B B A G A
B A G F E G A B E D B G A B A G G
Gaelic Lyrics And Chords
B A G F E G A B E D B G A B B A G A
B A G F E G A B E D B G A B A G G
D D B C D E F G F E E D B B A G A
B A G F E G A B E D B G A B A G G
Gaelic Lyrics And Chords
