Cruiskeen Lawn Lyrics and chords

The chords fit the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem [ songs ] on their album ‚Flowers In The Valley. Use a capo on the 5th fret. This traditional drinking song uses a chorus in Irish language which is given in English phonetics. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included, watch for that dreaded Bb note in the first line. 

Intro: Am-Em-Am-Am

Chorus
Oh! (C)Gramachree ma-cruiskeen, 
(G)Slainte geal mavoorneen 
(Am)Gra-machree ma-(E)cruiskeen, (Am)lawn, (G)lawn, (Am)lawn, (G)Oh!
(Am)Gramachree ma-(E)cruiskeen (Am)lawn.

Let the (Am)farmer praise his grounds, 
Let the huntsman praise his (E)hounds, 
And the (Am)shepherd praise his sweet scented (E)lawn; 
Oh but (C)I, more wise than they, 
Spend each (G)happy night and day 
With my (Am)charmin' little (E)cruiskeen (Am)lawn, (G)lawn, (Am)lawn (G)
Me (Am)smilin’ little (E)cruiskeen (Am)lawn.

Chorus

Im(Am)mortal and divine, 
Great Bacchus, god of (E)wine
Cre(Am)ate me by adoption your own (E)son. 
In (C)hopes that you'll comply, 
That my (G)glass shall ne'er run dry 
Nor my (Am)smilin' little (E)cruiskeen (Am)lawn, (G)lawn, (Am)lawn (G)
Me (Am)smilin’ little (E)cruiskeen (Am)lawn.
 
Chorus
 
 
And (Am)when grim Death appears,
In a few but pleasant (E)years, 
He’ll (Am)say wont you come along with (E)me
I'll (C)say, "Begone, you knave! 
For great (G)Bacchus gave me leave 
To (Am)take another (E)cruiskeen (Am)lawn, (G)lawn, (Am)lawn (G)
Me (Am)smilin’ little (E)cruiskeen (Am)lawn.
Chorus

Cruiskeen Lawn Sheet Music Notes

Cruiskeen Lawn Easy Sheet Music

​"Cruiskeen Lawn" (or "Crúiscín Lán") is a popular Irish drinking song with a rich history and a strong connection to the Irish folk revival of the mid-20th century, largely thanks to The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.


Origin and Meaning

• Linguistic Roots: The title "Cruiskeen Lawn" is an Anglicized spelling of the Irish phrase "Crúiscín Lán," which translates to "little full jug."
  
• A Toast to Drink: The song is a jovial and defiant ode to alcohol. It centers on a speaker who proclaims his preference for his "little full jug" over all other worldly pursuits, such as farming, hunting, or shepherding. The lyrics, written in a macaronic style (a mix of Irish and English), are a celebration of drink and companionship.
  
• Defiance of Death: The most famous verse is a humorous and boastful one where the speaker imagines a confrontation with "cruel death." He tells death to "begone, you knave" and asks for permission from Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, to have just "another cruiskeen lán" before he goes.
  

The Clancy Brothers' Version

The Clancy Brothers' recording of "Cruiskeen Lawn," particularly on their early albums, is considered a definitive version and was instrumental in bringing the song to a wider audience. Their style, which combined powerful, harmonized vocals with simple acoustic guitar and banjo accompaniment, breathed new life into traditional songs.

• Part of the Folk Revival: The group's performance of "Cruiskeen Lawn" was part of the American folk music revival of the 1960s. They were known for their spirited and authentic renditions of Irish songs, which contrasted with the often more polished studio recordings of the time. The song's raucous and defiant spirit fit perfectly with their rebellious image and stage presence.
  
• Rousing Chorus: The song's catchy and repetitive chorus, sung in a mix of Irish and English ("Oh, grá mo chroí, mo chruiscín, sláinte geal mo mhuirnín"), made it an instant crowd-pleaser and a staple of their live performances. The phrase "grá mo chroí" means "love of my heart," and "sláinte geal mo mhuirnín" means "bright health, my darling."
  
• Influence: The Clancy Brothers' version influenced many subsequent folk and rock artists, including Bob Dylan, who credited them with inspiring his songwriting. Their success in popularizing traditional Irish music paved the way for groups like The Dubliners and a new generation of Irish folk musicians.