Come Out You Black And Tans, Irish Song Lyrics And Guitar chords
Come out you black and tans fingerstyle guitar tab now included plus the 5 string banjo tab in open G tuning. This Irish rebel song was recorded by The Wolfe Tones, Written By singer / songwriter Dominic Behan. The 5 string banjo chords are now included. Also recorded by Gary Og [Eire Og] and Paddy Reilly. The notes for mandolin / banjo are included. The Wolfe Tones play this song in the key of Cm. It was also recorded by The Irish Discendants, The Battering Ram, Paddy Reilly, The Davitts and Charlie And The Bhoys to name a handful. There's a version on youtube that's called ''Come Out And Fight'' which was recorded by The Battering Ram. On the 8th of January 2020 Come Out You Black And Tans went to the number 1 spot in Ireland and the U.K. on the itunes singles chart with the Wolfe Tones live version. The song is about the father of songwriter, Dominic Behan, and how he used to tease the Black And Tans when he'd be coming home from the pub. Go to The Wolfe Tones Lyrics And Chords .
I[Am] was born in a Dublin street where the[G] loyal drums do beat
And those[Am] loving English feet they walked all over us
And every single night when me[C] da would come home[Am] tight
He'd[Am] invite the neighbors[G] out with this fine[Am] chorus
[Chorus]
Come out you black and tans,come out and fight me like a man
Show your wives how you won medals down in Flanders
Tell them how the I.R.A. made you run like hell away
From the green and lovely lakes of Killesshandra.
[2]
Come tell us how you slew them poor arabs two by two
Like the Zulu they had spears and bow and arrows
How bravely you faced one with your sixteen pounder gun
Till you frightened them poor natives to their marrow
[3]
Come let us hear you tell how you slandered great Parnell
When you though and well and truly persecuted
Where are the sneers and jeers that you bravely let us hear
When our leaders of '16 were executed
[4]
Well the time is coming fast and I think those days are near
When each yeoman he will run before us
And if there be a need then our kids will sing God speed
With a verse or two of Stephen Behan's chorus .
Here's a slightly different version of the above chords.
I[Am] was born in a Dublin street [G]where the loyal [Em]drums do beat
And those[Am] loving English feet they walked [Em]all over [Am]us
And [C]every single night when me[G] da would come home[Em] tight
He'd in[Am]vite the neighbors[Em] out with this fine[Am] chorus
[Am]Come out you black and tans,come out and [G]fight me like a [Em]man
Show your [Am]wives how you won medals down in Flanders
Tell them [C]how theI.R.A. made you [G]run like hell a[Em]way
From the [Am]green and lovely [Em]lakes of Killes[Am]shandra.
I usually play the above version with a capo on the second fret, give it a try, it might just suit your voice.
And those[Am] loving English feet they walked all over us
And every single night when me[C] da would come home[Am] tight
He'd[Am] invite the neighbors[G] out with this fine[Am] chorus
[Chorus]
Come out you black and tans,come out and fight me like a man
Show your wives how you won medals down in Flanders
Tell them how the I.R.A. made you run like hell away
From the green and lovely lakes of Killesshandra.
[2]
Come tell us how you slew them poor arabs two by two
Like the Zulu they had spears and bow and arrows
How bravely you faced one with your sixteen pounder gun
Till you frightened them poor natives to their marrow
[3]
Come let us hear you tell how you slandered great Parnell
When you though and well and truly persecuted
Where are the sneers and jeers that you bravely let us hear
When our leaders of '16 were executed
[4]
Well the time is coming fast and I think those days are near
When each yeoman he will run before us
And if there be a need then our kids will sing God speed
With a verse or two of Stephen Behan's chorus .
Here's a slightly different version of the above chords.
I[Am] was born in a Dublin street [G]where the loyal [Em]drums do beat
And those[Am] loving English feet they walked [Em]all over [Am]us
And [C]every single night when me[G] da would come home[Em] tight
He'd in[Am]vite the neighbors[Em] out with this fine[Am] chorus
[Am]Come out you black and tans,come out and [G]fight me like a [Em]man
Show your [Am]wives how you won medals down in Flanders
Tell them [C]how theI.R.A. made you [G]run like hell a[Em]way
From the [Am]green and lovely [Em]lakes of Killes[Am]shandra.
I usually play the above version with a capo on the second fret, give it a try, it might just suit your voice.
🎵 Full lyrics with chords for all verses
🎸 A strumming pattern
🎶 A fingerpicking tab for the first verse
🎸 Chords Used
Am x02210
G 320003
C x32010
This key (A minor) keeps the original feel — gritty, driving, and very singable.
🥁 Strumming Pattern (4/4 March Feel)
You want that steady marching rhythm that drives the song forward.
✅ Pattern:
D – D U – U D U
(Down, down-up, up-down-up)
Count:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
💡 Tips:
Strong downstrokes on 1 and 3 give it that rebel march feel.
Lightly palm-mute during the verses for a percussive tone, then open up for the chorus.
🎶 “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” – with Chords
Verse 1
I[Am] was born in a Dublin street where the [G]loyal drums do beat
And those [Am]loving English feet, they walked all over us
And every single night when me [C]da would come home [Am]tight
He'd [Am]invite the neighbors [G]out with this fine [Am]chorus:
Chorus
Come [Am]out, ye black and tans, come out and [G]fight me like a man,
Show your [Am]wives how you won medals down in [C]Flanders,
Tell them [Am]how the I.R.A. made you [G]run like hell away,
From the [Am]green and lovely [G]lakes of Killesh[Am]andra.
Verse 2
Come [Am]tell us how you slew them poor [G]Arabs two by two,
Like the [Am]Zulu they had spears and bows and arrows,
How [Am]bravely you faced one with your [C]sixteen-pounder [Am]gun,
Till you [Am]frightened them poor [G]natives to their [Am]marrow.
(→ then back to the chorus)
Verse 3
Come [Am]let us hear you tell how you [G]slandered great Parnell,
When you [Am]thought him well and truly persecuted,
Where are the [Am]sneers and jeers that you [C]bravely let us [Am]hear,
When our [Am]leaders of 'six[G]teen were execut[Am]ed.
(→ then chorus)
Verse 4
Well, the [Am]time is coming fast and I [G]think those days are near,
When each [Am]yeoman he will run before us,
And if there [Am]be a need, then our [C]kids will sing God [Am]speed,
With a [Am]verse or two of [G]Stephen Behan’s [Am]chorus.
(→ then final chorus)
🎸 Fingerpicking TAB – First Verse
Use a steady 4/4 arpeggio pattern:
T – i – m – i – m – i
(T = thumb, i = index, m = middle)
Keep the thumb alternating between A and D strings on Am, and E and A strings on G.
Fingerpicking TAB (Verse 1)
Am G Am
e|-----------0-----------|-----------3-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---|-------0-----------0---|-------1-----------1---|
G|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|
D|---2-----------2-------|-----------------------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---0-------------------|-----------------------|---0-------------------|
E|-----------------------|---3-----------3-------|-----------------------|
Am C Am
e|-----------0-----------|-----------0-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---|-------1-----------1---|-------1-----------1---|
G|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|
D|---2-----------2-------|---2-----------2-------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---0-------------------|---3-------------------|---0-------------------|
E|-----------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
Am G Am
e|-----------0-----------|-----------3-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---|-------0-----------0---|-------1-----------1---|
G|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|
D|---2-----------2-------|-----------------------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---0-------------------|-----------------------|---0-------------------|
E|-----------------------|---3-----------3-------|-----------------------|
🔊 Playing Tips
Play the verse softly and let the words shine.
Add light percussive taps or muted strums on beats 2 and 4 to mimic a snare march.
Switch to strumming for the chorus for energy.
🎸 A strumming pattern
🎶 A fingerpicking tab for the first verse
🎸 Chords Used
Am x02210
G 320003
C x32010
This key (A minor) keeps the original feel — gritty, driving, and very singable.
🥁 Strumming Pattern (4/4 March Feel)
You want that steady marching rhythm that drives the song forward.
✅ Pattern:
D – D U – U D U
(Down, down-up, up-down-up)
Count:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
💡 Tips:
Strong downstrokes on 1 and 3 give it that rebel march feel.
Lightly palm-mute during the verses for a percussive tone, then open up for the chorus.
🎶 “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” – with Chords
Verse 1
I[Am] was born in a Dublin street where the [G]loyal drums do beat
And those [Am]loving English feet, they walked all over us
And every single night when me [C]da would come home [Am]tight
He'd [Am]invite the neighbors [G]out with this fine [Am]chorus:
Chorus
Come [Am]out, ye black and tans, come out and [G]fight me like a man,
Show your [Am]wives how you won medals down in [C]Flanders,
Tell them [Am]how the I.R.A. made you [G]run like hell away,
From the [Am]green and lovely [G]lakes of Killesh[Am]andra.
Verse 2
Come [Am]tell us how you slew them poor [G]Arabs two by two,
Like the [Am]Zulu they had spears and bows and arrows,
How [Am]bravely you faced one with your [C]sixteen-pounder [Am]gun,
Till you [Am]frightened them poor [G]natives to their [Am]marrow.
(→ then back to the chorus)
Verse 3
Come [Am]let us hear you tell how you [G]slandered great Parnell,
When you [Am]thought him well and truly persecuted,
Where are the [Am]sneers and jeers that you [C]bravely let us [Am]hear,
When our [Am]leaders of 'six[G]teen were execut[Am]ed.
(→ then chorus)
Verse 4
Well, the [Am]time is coming fast and I [G]think those days are near,
When each [Am]yeoman he will run before us,
And if there [Am]be a need, then our [C]kids will sing God [Am]speed,
With a [Am]verse or two of [G]Stephen Behan’s [Am]chorus.
(→ then final chorus)
🎸 Fingerpicking TAB – First Verse
Use a steady 4/4 arpeggio pattern:
T – i – m – i – m – i
(T = thumb, i = index, m = middle)
Keep the thumb alternating between A and D strings on Am, and E and A strings on G.
Fingerpicking TAB (Verse 1)
Am G Am
e|-----------0-----------|-----------3-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---|-------0-----------0---|-------1-----------1---|
G|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|
D|---2-----------2-------|-----------------------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---0-------------------|-----------------------|---0-------------------|
E|-----------------------|---3-----------3-------|-----------------------|
Am C Am
e|-----------0-----------|-----------0-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---|-------1-----------1---|-------1-----------1---|
G|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|
D|---2-----------2-------|---2-----------2-------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---0-------------------|---3-------------------|---0-------------------|
E|-----------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
Am G Am
e|-----------0-----------|-----------3-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---|-------0-----------0---|-------1-----------1---|
G|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|
D|---2-----------2-------|-----------------------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---0-------------------|-----------------------|---0-------------------|
E|-----------------------|---3-----------3-------|-----------------------|
🔊 Playing Tips
Play the verse softly and let the words shine.
Add light percussive taps or muted strums on beats 2 and 4 to mimic a snare march.
Switch to strumming for the chorus for energy.
Here’s “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” fully transposed to E minor, complete with:
🎵 All verses and choruses with chords in Em
🎸 A strumming pattern (rebel march style)
🎶 A fingerpicking tab for the first verse (in Em)
🎸 Chords Used
Em 022000
D xx0232
G 320003
C x32010
🥁 Strumming Pattern (4/4 March Feel)
The rhythm should feel steady and militant, like a marching song.
Pattern:
D – D U – U D U
(Down, down-up, up-down-up)
Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
💡 Tips:
Emphasize the first downstroke (beat 1) and the upstroke after 3
Use palm-muting on the verses for a tight, driving sound
Open up the strums on the chorus for power
🎶 “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” — in E Minor
Verse 1
I[Em] was born in a Dublin street where the [D]loyal drums do beat
And those [Em]loving English feet, they walked all over us
And every single night when me [C]da would come home [Em]tight
He'd [Em]invite the neighbors [D]out with this fine [Em]chorus:
Chorus
Come [Em]out, ye black and tans, come out and [D]fight me like a man,
Show your [Em]wives how you won medals down in [C]Flanders,
Tell them [Em]how the I.R.A. made you [D]run like hell away,
From the [Em]green and lovely [D]lakes of Killes[Em]handra.
Verse 2
Come [Em]tell us how you slew them poor [D]Arabs two by two,
Like the [Em]Zulu they had spears and bows and arrows,
How [Em]bravely you faced one with your [C]sixteen-pounder [Em]gun,
Till you [Em]frightened them poor [D]natives to their [Em]marrow.
(→ then chorus)
Verse 3
Come [Em]let us hear you tell how you [D]slandered great Parnell,
When you [Em]thought him well and truly persecuted,
Where are the [Em]sneers and jeers that you [C]bravely let us [Em]hear,
When our [Em]leaders of 'six[D]teen were execut[Em]ed.
(→ then chorus)
Verse 4
Well, the [Em]time is coming fast and I [D]think those days are near,
When each [Em]yeoman he will run before us,
And if there [Em]be a need, then our [C]kids will sing God [Em]speed,
With a [Em]verse or two of [D]Stephen Behan’s [Em]chorus.
(→ then final chorus)
🎸 Fingerpicking TAB (First Verse – in E minor)
Use a steady 4/4 arpeggio pattern:
T – i – m – i – m – i
(T = thumb, i = index, m = middle)
Keep your thumb alternating between E and D strings for Em, and D and A for D.
Fingerpicking TAB
Em D Em
e|-----------0-----------|-----------2-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---|-------3-----------3---|-------0-----------0---|
G|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|
D|---2-----------2-------|---0-----------0-------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---2-------------------|-----------------------|---2-------------------|
E|---0-------------------|---2-----------2-------|---0-------------------|
Em C Em
e|-----------0-----------|-----------0-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---|-------1-----------1---|-------0-----------0---|
G|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----0---0-------0---0-|
D|---2-----------2-------|---2-----------2-------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---2-------------------|---3-------------------|---2-------------------|
E|---0-------------------|-----------------------|---0-------------------|
Em D Em
e|-----------0-----------|-----------2-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---|-------3-----------3---|-------0-----------0---|
G|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|
D|---2-----------2-------|---0-----------0-------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---2-------------------|-----------------------|---2-------------------|
E|---0-------------------|---2-----------2-------|---0-------------------|
🔊 Performance Tips
Fingerpick softly for the verse, then strum the chorus for dynamic contrast.
Use a percussive slap or light palm mute between lines to keep rhythm tight.
For a fuller sound in a group, you can alternate between Em–D–C–Em picking patterns on repeat.
Here’s “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” fully transposed to E minor, complete with:
🎵 All verses and choruses with chords in Em
🎸 A strumming pattern (rebel march style)
🎶 A fingerpicking tab for the first verse (in Em)
🎸 Chords Used
Em 022000
D xx0232
G 320003
C x32010
🥁 Strumming Pattern (4/4 March Feel)
The rhythm should feel steady and militant, like a marching song.
Pattern:
D – D U – U D U
(Down, down-up, up-down-up)
Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
💡 Tips:
Emphasize the first downstroke (beat 1) and the upstroke after 3
Use palm-muting on the verses for a tight, driving sound
Open up the strums on the chorus for power
🎶 “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” — in E Minor
Verse 1
I[Em] was born in a Dublin street where the [D]loyal drums do beat
And those [Em]loving English feet, they walked all over us
And every single night when me [C]da would come home [Em]tight
He'd [Em]invite the neighbors [D]out with this fine [Em]chorus:
Chorus
Come [Em]out, ye black and tans, come out and [D]fight me like a man,
Show your [Em]wives how you won medals down in [C]Flanders,
Tell them [Em]how the I.R.A. made you [D]run like hell away,
From the [Em]green and lovely [D]lakes of Killes[Em]handra.
Verse 2
Come [Em]tell us how you slew them poor [D]Arabs two by two,
Like the [Em]Zulu they had spears and bows and arrows,
How [Em]bravely you faced one with your [C]sixteen-pounder [Em]gun,
Till you [Em]frightened them poor [D]natives to their [Em]marrow.
(→ then chorus)
Verse 3
Come [Em]let us hear you tell how you [D]slandered great Parnell,
When you [Em]thought him well and truly persecuted,
Where are the [Em]sneers and jeers that you [C]bravely let us [Em]hear,
When our [Em]leaders of 'six[D]teen were execut[Em]ed.
(→ then chorus)
Verse 4
Well, the [Em]time is coming fast and I [D]think those days are near,
When each [Em]yeoman he will run before us,
And if there [Em]be a need, then our [C]kids will sing God [Em]speed,
With a [Em]verse or two of [D]Stephen Behan’s [Em]chorus.
(→ then final chorus)
🎸 Fingerpicking TAB (First Verse – in E minor)
Use a steady 4/4 arpeggio pattern:
T – i – m – i – m – i
(T = thumb, i = index, m = middle)
Keep your thumb alternating between E and D strings for Em, and D and A for D.
Fingerpicking TAB
Em D Em
e|-----------0-----------|-----------2-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---|-------3-----------3---|-------0-----------0---|
G|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|
D|---2-----------2-------|---0-----------0-------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---2-------------------|-----------------------|---2-------------------|
E|---0-------------------|---2-----------2-------|---0-------------------|
Em C Em
e|-----------0-----------|-----------0-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---|-------1-----------1---|-------0-----------0---|
G|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----0---0-------0---0-|
D|---2-----------2-------|---2-----------2-------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---2-------------------|---3-------------------|---2-------------------|
E|---0-------------------|-----------------------|---0-------------------|
Em D Em
e|-----------0-----------|-----------2-----------|-----------0-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---|-------3-----------3---|-------0-----------0---|
G|-----0---0-------0---0-|-----2---2-------2---2-|-----0---0-------0---0-|
D|---2-----------2-------|---0-----------0-------|---2-----------2-------|
A|---2-------------------|-----------------------|---2-------------------|
E|---0-------------------|---2-----------2-------|---0-------------------|
🔊 Performance Tips
Fingerpick softly for the verse, then strum the chorus for dynamic contrast.
Use a percussive slap or light palm mute between lines to keep rhythm tight.
For a fuller sound in a group, you can alternate between Em–D–C–Em picking patterns on repeat.
Rebel songs sheet music / tin whistle tabs
Come out you black and tans fingerstyle guitar tab
Mandolin/Banjo Tin Whistle Notes For Come Out You Black And Tans
C C C C C D' C
A# G F# F# F# G F#
A# A# C B C B C B C D' C A# G
A# A# A# A# C C
A# G F# D C D A#
C D E E D C G F E D C A# C
(Chorus)
C C C C C D' C
A# G F# F# F# G F#
A# A# C B C B C B C D' C A# G
G A# A# A# A# A# C A#
A# G F# D C D A#
C D E E D C G F E D C A# C
The sheet music for Come Out You Black And Tans .
C C C C C D' C
A# G F# F# F# G F#
A# A# C B C B C B C D' C A# G
A# A# A# A# C C
A# G F# D C D A#
C D E E D C G F E D C A# C
(Chorus)
C C C C C D' C
A# G F# F# F# G F#
A# A# C B C B C B C D' C A# G
G A# A# A# A# A# C A#
A# G F# D C D A#
C D E E D C G F E D C A# C
The sheet music for Come Out You Black And Tans .
Here's the guitar chords as played by The Wolfe Tones.
The intro. Eb Gm Cm
I[Cm] was born in a Dublin street [Bb]where the loyal [Gm]drums do beat
And those[Cm] loving English feet they walked [Gm]all over [Cm]us
And [Eb]every single night when me[Bb] da would come home[Gm] tight
He'd in[Cm]vite the neighbors[Gm] out with this fine[Cm] chorus
[Chorus]
[Cm]Come out you black and tans,come out and [Bb]fight me like a [Gm]man
Show your [Cm]wives how you won medals down in Flanders
Tell them [Eb]how theI.R.A. made you [Bb]run like hell a[Gm]way
From the [Cm]green and lovely [Gm]lakes of Killes[Cm]shandra.
The intro. Eb Gm Cm
I[Cm] was born in a Dublin street [Bb]where the loyal [Gm]drums do beat
And those[Cm] loving English feet they walked [Gm]all over [Cm]us
And [Eb]every single night when me[Bb] da would come home[Gm] tight
He'd in[Cm]vite the neighbors[Gm] out with this fine[Cm] chorus
[Chorus]
[Cm]Come out you black and tans,come out and [Bb]fight me like a [Gm]man
Show your [Cm]wives how you won medals down in Flanders
Tell them [Eb]how theI.R.A. made you [Bb]run like hell a[Gm]way
From the [Cm]green and lovely [Gm]lakes of Killes[Cm]shandra.
Here's the guitar chords as played by The Irish Descendants
The intro. Bm A F#m Bm D A F#m Bm A Bm
I[Bm] was born in a Dublin street where the [[A]loyal drums do [F#m]beat
And those[Bm] loving English feet they walked all over us
And [D]every single night when me[A] da would come home[F#m] tight
He'd in[Bm]vite the neighbors[A] out with this [Bm] chorus
[Chorus]
[Bm]Come out you black and tans,come out and [A]fight me like a [F#m]man
Show your [Bm]wives how you won medals down in Flanders
Tell them [D]how theI.R.A. made you [A]run like hell a[G#m]way
From the [Bm]green and lovely [A]lakes of Kille[Bm]shandra.
The intro. Bm A F#m Bm D A F#m Bm A Bm
I[Bm] was born in a Dublin street where the [[A]loyal drums do [F#m]beat
And those[Bm] loving English feet they walked all over us
And [D]every single night when me[A] da would come home[F#m] tight
He'd in[Bm]vite the neighbors[A] out with this [Bm] chorus
[Chorus]
[Bm]Come out you black and tans,come out and [A]fight me like a [F#m]man
Show your [Bm]wives how you won medals down in Flanders
Tell them [D]how theI.R.A. made you [A]run like hell a[G#m]way
From the [Bm]green and lovely [A]lakes of Kille[Bm]shandra.
The Wolfe Tones Song Come Out Ye Black And Tans
5 string banjo tab included below [ open G tuning ]
