Carrigdhoun Lyrics And Chords
Written by Denny Lane and recorded by Cherish The Ladies but the video I've chosen is the great Mary O'Hara. traditional Irish, A song you don't hear much of anymore. The sheet music is also included. Mary O'Hara also done a little singing in her big movie The Quiet Man where she sits and plays piano in the little thatched cottage. All through that movie The Isle Of Innisfree Song can be heard in the background, which really made that film.
CARRAIGDHOUN
With no future at home, "many a lad of twenty" deter- mined to make his fortune on the continent before returning to wed his sweetheart. Not many came back. Those who did not fall in battle or succumb to disease were often reluctant to give up their fairly won status as respected veterans in exchange for serfdom in Ireland.
As this ballad by Cork-born poet Denny Lane indicates, young love was regularly thwarted by a combination of the reality of the Penal Laws and the blandishments of the continent. It was slowly sinking in that the thousands leaving to join the Irish Brigades of Europe might never return to fight for Ireland.
With no future at home, "many a lad of twenty" deter- mined to make his fortune on the continent before returning to wed his sweetheart. Not many came back. Those who did not fall in battle or succumb to disease were often reluctant to give up their fairly won status as respected veterans in exchange for serfdom in Ireland.
As this ballad by Cork-born poet Denny Lane indicates, young love was regularly thwarted by a combination of the reality of the Penal Laws and the blandishments of the continent. It was slowly sinking in that the thousands leaving to join the Irish Brigades of Europe might never return to fight for Ireland.
[G]On Carrigdhoun the[D] heath is[G] brown,
The[D] sky is dark over Ardna[G]lee
And[G] many’s the stream[Am] comes rushing[C] down
To[D7] swell the angry Owena[G]bwee.
The[C] moaning blast goes sweeping[G] fast
Thru’ many’s the[A7] leafless[D7] tree
And[G] I’m alone, for[G7] he is[C] gone,
My[D] hawk is flown, oc[C]hón, mo[G] chroí!
The heath is green on Carrigdhoun,
Bright shines the sun over Ardnalee.
The light green trees bent trembling down
To kiss the slumbering Owenabwee.
That happy day ‘twas but last May,
It’s like a dream to me.
When Domhnall swore, aye o’er and o’er,
We’d part no more, a stór mo chroí.
Soft April showers and bright May flowers
Will bring the summer back again.
But will they bring me back the hours
I spent with my brave Domhnall then
‘Tis but a chance, he’s gone to France,
To wear the Fleur-de-Lis.
I’d follow you, my Domhnall dhú,
For still I’m true to you, a chroí.
The[D] sky is dark over Ardna[G]lee
And[G] many’s the stream[Am] comes rushing[C] down
To[D7] swell the angry Owena[G]bwee.
The[C] moaning blast goes sweeping[G] fast
Thru’ many’s the[A7] leafless[D7] tree
And[G] I’m alone, for[G7] he is[C] gone,
My[D] hawk is flown, oc[C]hón, mo[G] chroí!
The heath is green on Carrigdhoun,
Bright shines the sun over Ardnalee.
The light green trees bent trembling down
To kiss the slumbering Owenabwee.
That happy day ‘twas but last May,
It’s like a dream to me.
When Domhnall swore, aye o’er and o’er,
We’d part no more, a stór mo chroí.
Soft April showers and bright May flowers
Will bring the summer back again.
But will they bring me back the hours
I spent with my brave Domhnall then
‘Tis but a chance, he’s gone to France,
To wear the Fleur-de-Lis.
I’d follow you, my Domhnall dhú,
For still I’m true to you, a chroí.
🎸 Carrigdhoun – Fingerpicked Intro & Outro (Key of G)
🎼 Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Tempo: Slow, 70–75 bpm
Time Signature: 3/4
🎵 Fingerpicking Pattern (use throughout intro/outro and verses)
Use a soft 3/4 waltz arpeggio:
P – i – m – i – P – i – m – i
(Thumb on bass, index on G, middle on B, ring on high E if needed)
Or simply:
Bass (thumb) – 2nd string – 3rd string
Count: 1 – 2 – 3
For example:
On G: pluck 6th string (G) → 3rd → 2nd
On C: pluck 5th string (C) → 3rd → 2nd
On D7: pluck 4th string (D) → 3rd → 2nd
Keep the motion steady and flowing.
🌄 Intro (4 bars – free rhythm, slowly)
| G | Em | C | D7 |
Play like this (tab style example):
G Em C D7
e|-------0-----------|-------0---------|-------0-----------|-------1-----------|
B|-----0---0---------|-----0---0-------|-----1---1---------|-----1---1---------|
G|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-------|---2-------2-------|
D|-------------------|-----------------|---2---------------|---0---------------|
A|-------------------|---2-------------|---3---------------|-------------------|
E|---3---------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------|
Repeat softly, then transition straight into the first lyric:
“On Carrigdhoun the heath is brown…”
🌅 Outro (slow, tender finish)
After the final line:
“My hawk is flown, ochón, mo chroí…”
Play this gentle ending progression, letting each chord ring:
| G | Em | C | G |
Final G chord (open shape):
Let it ring naturally for 4 full beats — or gently arpeggiate downward.
💫 Optional Variation for a more Celtic sound
Try hammer-ons and pull-offs during the intro:
On Em, hammer-on from open D to 2nd fret (D string)
On C, hammer-on from open D to 2nd fret (D string)
On G, slide from 2 → 4 on the G string for a wistful effect.
🪕 Performance Flow Suggestion
Intro (4 bars arpeggio)
Verse 1–3 (fingerpicked or strummed softly in 3/4)
Repeat last line slowly
Outro (4 bars arpeggio)
Let final G ring out.
🎼 Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Tempo: Slow, 70–75 bpm
Time Signature: 3/4
🎵 Fingerpicking Pattern (use throughout intro/outro and verses)
Use a soft 3/4 waltz arpeggio:
P – i – m – i – P – i – m – i
(Thumb on bass, index on G, middle on B, ring on high E if needed)
Or simply:
Bass (thumb) – 2nd string – 3rd string
Count: 1 – 2 – 3
For example:
On G: pluck 6th string (G) → 3rd → 2nd
On C: pluck 5th string (C) → 3rd → 2nd
On D7: pluck 4th string (D) → 3rd → 2nd
Keep the motion steady and flowing.
🌄 Intro (4 bars – free rhythm, slowly)
| G | Em | C | D7 |
Play like this (tab style example):
G Em C D7
e|-------0-----------|-------0---------|-------0-----------|-------1-----------|
B|-----0---0---------|-----0---0-------|-----1---1---------|-----1---1---------|
G|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-------|---2-------2-------|
D|-------------------|-----------------|---2---------------|---0---------------|
A|-------------------|---2-------------|---3---------------|-------------------|
E|---3---------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------|
Repeat softly, then transition straight into the first lyric:
“On Carrigdhoun the heath is brown…”
🌅 Outro (slow, tender finish)
After the final line:
“My hawk is flown, ochón, mo chroí…”
Play this gentle ending progression, letting each chord ring:
| G | Em | C | G |
Final G chord (open shape):
Let it ring naturally for 4 full beats — or gently arpeggiate downward.
💫 Optional Variation for a more Celtic sound
Try hammer-ons and pull-offs during the intro:
On Em, hammer-on from open D to 2nd fret (D string)
On C, hammer-on from open D to 2nd fret (D string)
On G, slide from 2 → 4 on the G string for a wistful effect.
🪕 Performance Flow Suggestion
Intro (4 bars arpeggio)
Verse 1–3 (fingerpicked or strummed softly in 3/4)
Repeat last line slowly
Outro (4 bars arpeggio)
Let final G ring out.
🎵 Carrigdhoun (The Lament of Carrigdhoun)
Key: G Major
Tempo: ~70–75 bpm
Time Signature: 3/4 (waltz feel)
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Waltz Ballad Style)
Bass – Down – Down
Count: 1 – 2 – 3
(Thumb hits the bass note on beat 1, soft downstrokes on beats 2 and 3)
Example for G chord:
G (low E) – down – down
💡 Keep it soft and flowing — almost like a heartbeat rhythm.
If you prefer strumming, use:
Down – Down-Up – Down – Down-Up
for a steady, full sound.
🎶 Verse 1
[G]On Carrigdhoun the [D]heath is [G]brown,
The [D]sky is dark over Ardna[G]lee,
And [G]many’s the stream [Am]comes rushing [C]down
To [D7]swell the angry Owena[G]bwee.
The [C]moaning blast goes [G]sweeping fast
Thru’ [Am]many’s the leafless [D7]tree,
And [G]I’m alone, for [G7]he is [C]gone,
My [D]hawk is flown, och [C]ón, mo [G]chroí!
🎵 Verse 2
[G]The heath is green on [D]Carrig[G]dhoun,
Bright [D]shines the sun over Ardnal[G]ee,
The [G]light green trees bend [Am]trembling [C]down
To [D7]kiss the slumbering Owena[G]bwee.
That [C]happy day, ‘twas [G]but last May,
It’s [Am]like a dream to [D7]me,
When [G]Domhnall swore, aye [G7]o’er and [C]o’er,
We’d [D]part no more, a [C]stór mo [G]chroí.
🎵 Verse 3
[G]Soft April showers and [D]bright May [G]flowers
Will [D]bring the summer back a[G]gain,
But [G]will they bring me [Am]back the [C]hours
I [D7]spent with my brave Domhnall [G]then?
‘Tis [C]but a chance, he’s [G]gone to France,
To [Am]wear the Fleur-de-[D7]Lis.
I’d [G]follow you, my [G7]Domhnall [C]dhú,
A[D]cross the sea, mo [C]stór mo [G]chroí.
🎶 Optional Ending Tag
End softly on:
My [D]hawk is flown, oc[C]hón, mo [G]chroí…
Then let the final G chord ring out naturally.
💡 Performance Tips
Emphasize the first beat of each measure — it gives the song a gentle sway.
Fingerpick softly (thumb + index + middle) for a harp-like texture.
When repeating verses, increase dynamic slightly each time to tell the story emotionally.
For the last line of the final verse, slow down (ritardando) to close gently.
Key: G Major
Tempo: ~70–75 bpm
Time Signature: 3/4 (waltz feel)
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Waltz Ballad Style)
Bass – Down – Down
Count: 1 – 2 – 3
(Thumb hits the bass note on beat 1, soft downstrokes on beats 2 and 3)
Example for G chord:
G (low E) – down – down
💡 Keep it soft and flowing — almost like a heartbeat rhythm.
If you prefer strumming, use:
Down – Down-Up – Down – Down-Up
for a steady, full sound.
🎶 Verse 1
[G]On Carrigdhoun the [D]heath is [G]brown,
The [D]sky is dark over Ardna[G]lee,
And [G]many’s the stream [Am]comes rushing [C]down
To [D7]swell the angry Owena[G]bwee.
The [C]moaning blast goes [G]sweeping fast
Thru’ [Am]many’s the leafless [D7]tree,
And [G]I’m alone, for [G7]he is [C]gone,
My [D]hawk is flown, och [C]ón, mo [G]chroí!
🎵 Verse 2
[G]The heath is green on [D]Carrig[G]dhoun,
Bright [D]shines the sun over Ardnal[G]ee,
The [G]light green trees bend [Am]trembling [C]down
To [D7]kiss the slumbering Owena[G]bwee.
That [C]happy day, ‘twas [G]but last May,
It’s [Am]like a dream to [D7]me,
When [G]Domhnall swore, aye [G7]o’er and [C]o’er,
We’d [D]part no more, a [C]stór mo [G]chroí.
🎵 Verse 3
[G]Soft April showers and [D]bright May [G]flowers
Will [D]bring the summer back a[G]gain,
But [G]will they bring me [Am]back the [C]hours
I [D7]spent with my brave Domhnall [G]then?
‘Tis [C]but a chance, he’s [G]gone to France,
To [Am]wear the Fleur-de-[D7]Lis.
I’d [G]follow you, my [G7]Domhnall [C]dhú,
A[D]cross the sea, mo [C]stór mo [G]chroí.
🎶 Optional Ending Tag
End softly on:
My [D]hawk is flown, oc[C]hón, mo [G]chroí…
Then let the final G chord ring out naturally.
💡 Performance Tips
Emphasize the first beat of each measure — it gives the song a gentle sway.
Fingerpick softly (thumb + index + middle) for a harp-like texture.
When repeating verses, increase dynamic slightly each time to tell the story emotionally.
For the last line of the final verse, slow down (ritardando) to close gently.
Here are alternative guitar chords for the key of D Major.
[D]On Carrigdhoun the[A] heath is[D] brown,
The[A] sky is dark over Ardna[D]lee
And[D] many’s the stream[Em] comes rushing[G] down
To[A7] swell the angry Owena[D]bwee.
The[G] moaning blast goes sweeping[D] fast
Thru’ many’s the[E7] leafless[A7] tree
And[D] I’m alone, for[D7] he is[G] gone,
My[A] hawk is flown, oc[G]hón, mo[D] chroí!
Back to Irish Song Lyrics From C-F
[D]On Carrigdhoun the[A] heath is[D] brown,
The[A] sky is dark over Ardna[D]lee
And[D] many’s the stream[Em] comes rushing[G] down
To[A7] swell the angry Owena[D]bwee.
The[G] moaning blast goes sweeping[D] fast
Thru’ many’s the[E7] leafless[A7] tree
And[D] I’m alone, for[D7] he is[G] gone,
My[A] hawk is flown, oc[G]hón, mo[D] chroí!
Back to Irish Song Lyrics From C-F
Carrigdhoun Sheet Music Notes
