Donald Where's Your Trousers Lyrics And Chords By The Irish Rovers
score The lyrics and chords fit the Irish Rovers on their album ‚The First Of The Irish Rovers’ (1966) and their compilation album Greatest Hits (1974).
Use a capo on the 4th fret to change key to G# minor. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included.
Use a capo on the 4th fret to change key to G# minor. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included.
Intro: 3 Instrumental verses with spoken background information as follows:
“For many hundreds of years in the highlands of Scotland men have given up wearing trousers and have taken to wear the skirts or the kilts. But nevertheless these kilted boys in the last war where named ‘the ladies from hell’. So you have to be terribly careful if you ever get curious about the kilts. Never ask them: “Donald, where’s your trousers?”!”
Chorus
Let the (Em)wind blow high, let the wind blow low
(D)Through the streets in my kilt I'll go
(Em)All the lassies say “Hello.
Donald (D)where's your (Em)trousers?”
I've (Em)just come down from the isle of Skye
I'm no (D)very big an' I'm awfully shy
The (Em)lassies say as I go by
“Donald (D)where's your (Em)trousers?”
Chorus
(Em)Now I went to a fancy ball
And (D)it was slippery in the hall
And (Em)I was feared that I might fall
For I (D)hadnae on me (Em)trousers
Chorus
Instrumental verse
Repeat Chorus
Now (Em)I went down to London town
To (D)have a little fun on the underground
The (Em)ladies turned their heads around
Saying “Donald (D)where are your (Em)trousers?”
Chorus
The (Em)lassies love me every one
But (D)let them catch me if they can
You (Em)cannae take the breeks off a Hielan' man
Saying “Donald (D)where’s your (Em)trousers?”
Chorus
“(Em)Donald (D)where's your (Em)tro(D)u(Em)sers?”
“For many hundreds of years in the highlands of Scotland men have given up wearing trousers and have taken to wear the skirts or the kilts. But nevertheless these kilted boys in the last war where named ‘the ladies from hell’. So you have to be terribly careful if you ever get curious about the kilts. Never ask them: “Donald, where’s your trousers?”!”
Chorus
Let the (Em)wind blow high, let the wind blow low
(D)Through the streets in my kilt I'll go
(Em)All the lassies say “Hello.
Donald (D)where's your (Em)trousers?”
I've (Em)just come down from the isle of Skye
I'm no (D)very big an' I'm awfully shy
The (Em)lassies say as I go by
“Donald (D)where's your (Em)trousers?”
Chorus
(Em)Now I went to a fancy ball
And (D)it was slippery in the hall
And (Em)I was feared that I might fall
For I (D)hadnae on me (Em)trousers
Chorus
Instrumental verse
Repeat Chorus
Now (Em)I went down to London town
To (D)have a little fun on the underground
The (Em)ladies turned their heads around
Saying “Donald (D)where are your (Em)trousers?”
Chorus
The (Em)lassies love me every one
But (D)let them catch me if they can
You (Em)cannae take the breeks off a Hielan' man
Saying “Donald (D)where’s your (Em)trousers?”
Chorus
“(Em)Donald (D)where's your (Em)tro(D)u(Em)sers?”
🎸 **Key:** E minor
🪘 **Time Signature:** 4/4
🎶 **Tempo:** ~100 bpm (cheerful Scottish bounce)
---
### 🎸 Strumming Pattern (Pub Swing)
> **Pattern:** ↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
> Count: 1 2& &3&4
> - Light palm mute on beats 1 and 3
> - Let the upstrokes ring for a cheeky rhythm
---
### 🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern
> **Pattern (per bar):** p – i – m – a – m – i
> - **Thumb (p):** bass (E or D string)
> - **Fingers (i–m–a):** roll upward across G–B–E
> - Keep it bright and rhythmic, like a jig
---
## 🎵 Verse 1
**Let the (Em)wind blow high, let the wind blow low**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**(D)Through the streets in my kilt I'll go**
```
D Em D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**(Em)All the lassies say “Hello.
Donald (D)where's your (Em)trousers?”**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Verse 2
**I've (Em)just come down from the isle of Skye**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**I'm no (D)very big an' I'm awfully shy**
```
D Em D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**The (Em)lassies say as I go by
“Donald (D)where's your (Em)trousers?”**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Chorus
**(Em)Now I went to a fancy ball**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**And (D)it was slippery in the hall**
```
D Em D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**And (Em)I was feared that I might fall
For I (D)hadnae on me (Em)trousers**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
### 💡 Playing Tips
- For **solo performance**: alternate between fingerpicking on verses and strumming on choruses.
- On the lyric **“Donald where’s your trousers?”**, add a quick **percussive slap** (lightly mute strings on beat 2).
- Let the **bass strings drive the rhythm** — gives that Scottish swagger.
- Optionally, finish with a big **E minor strum** and let it ring for comedic effect.
🪘 **Time Signature:** 4/4
🎶 **Tempo:** ~100 bpm (cheerful Scottish bounce)
---
### 🎸 Strumming Pattern (Pub Swing)
> **Pattern:** ↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
> Count: 1 2& &3&4
> - Light palm mute on beats 1 and 3
> - Let the upstrokes ring for a cheeky rhythm
---
### 🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern
> **Pattern (per bar):** p – i – m – a – m – i
> - **Thumb (p):** bass (E or D string)
> - **Fingers (i–m–a):** roll upward across G–B–E
> - Keep it bright and rhythmic, like a jig
---
## 🎵 Verse 1
**Let the (Em)wind blow high, let the wind blow low**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**(D)Through the streets in my kilt I'll go**
```
D Em D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**(Em)All the lassies say “Hello.
Donald (D)where's your (Em)trousers?”**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Verse 2
**I've (Em)just come down from the isle of Skye**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**I'm no (D)very big an' I'm awfully shy**
```
D Em D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**The (Em)lassies say as I go by
“Donald (D)where's your (Em)trousers?”**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Chorus
**(Em)Now I went to a fancy ball**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**And (D)it was slippery in the hall**
```
D Em D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**And (Em)I was feared that I might fall
For I (D)hadnae on me (Em)trousers**
```
Em D Em
e|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------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-------------------|---------------------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|-0-----------0-------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
### 💡 Playing Tips
- For **solo performance**: alternate between fingerpicking on verses and strumming on choruses.
- On the lyric **“Donald where’s your trousers?”**, add a quick **percussive slap** (lightly mute strings on beat 2).
- Let the **bass strings drive the rhythm** — gives that Scottish swagger.
- Optionally, finish with a big **E minor strum** and let it ring for comedic effect.
About The Song.
Right then! Here’s this tartan-tinted cheeky wee masterpiece described in pure Scottish wit — with a splash of slang thicker than porridge and twice as hearty:
Ah, this song is the national anthem of Scottish knees-out confidence.
We’ve got Donald — a wee lad from the Isle of Skye
who’s shy enough to blush at a passing sheep,
but bold enough to let the wind whistle through his kilt
like a Highland bagpipe at full volume.
Every lassie on the street’s yelling:
“Donald, where’re yer troosers?!”
Which is Scottish for:
“Are ye brave, daft, or frozen solid — or all three at once?”
🥃 Donald’s Personal Kilt Philosophy. To Donald, wearing trousers is like betraying the flag.
He believes:
“Through the streets, in my kilt I’ll go!”
Translation:
“I’ll flash my kneecaps like the proud Highlander I am!”
🕺 The Ball IncidentA lassie takes him to a fancy dance.
The floor’s as slippery as a whisky-soaked seal,
and Donald’s terrified that one wrong step
will have him mooning the entire village accidentally.
But hey --
that’s the risk of true kilt-based living.
🚇 LondonWhen he goes down to London,
the posh ladies in the Underground
nearly twist their necks off gawking.
Londoners be like:
“Good heavens — is that lad allergic to trousers?!”
Donald’s just thinking:
“Aye, ye southern softies --
ye wouldn’t last five minutes in a Highland breeze.”
🦌 Highland Pride. He says the Highlanders would faint dead away
if they ever saw him in trousers.
That’s practically cultural treason!
It’d be like:
💘 The Lassies. All the women want a piece of Donald --
he’s basically Highland Elvis.
And he warns them:
“Ye cannae tame a Highlander!”
He’s like a stag on the moors --
wild, woolly-kneed, and untrousered.
🎸 The Rock-n-Roll Interlude. Then the song itself starts arguing with itself:
Scottish style vs. international rock version.
Even in music, Donald refuses trousers:
he’s rocking, rolling, and still airing the legs.
🏴 Final Verdict. This whole song is:
Why wear trousers when you’ve got a kilt --
and a healthy disregard for weather and modesty?
So aye — whether you sing it Scottish-style
or rock-and-roll-style --
just remember the chorus:
“Let the wind blow high, let the wind blow low --
through the streets in my kilt I’ll go!”
And if anyone asks…
Donald — where ARE yer troosers?!
Answer with full Highland pride:
“In the drawer — where they belong!”
Right then! Here’s this tartan-tinted cheeky wee masterpiece described in pure Scottish wit — with a splash of slang thicker than porridge and twice as hearty:
Ah, this song is the national anthem of Scottish knees-out confidence.
We’ve got Donald — a wee lad from the Isle of Skye
who’s shy enough to blush at a passing sheep,
but bold enough to let the wind whistle through his kilt
like a Highland bagpipe at full volume.
Every lassie on the street’s yelling:
“Donald, where’re yer troosers?!”
Which is Scottish for:
“Are ye brave, daft, or frozen solid — or all three at once?”
🥃 Donald’s Personal Kilt Philosophy. To Donald, wearing trousers is like betraying the flag.
He believes:
- trousers = southern nonsense
- kilts = manly freedom + ventilation
- wind = natural Scottish air-conditioning
“Through the streets, in my kilt I’ll go!”
Translation:
“I’ll flash my kneecaps like the proud Highlander I am!”
🕺 The Ball IncidentA lassie takes him to a fancy dance.
The floor’s as slippery as a whisky-soaked seal,
and Donald’s terrified that one wrong step
will have him mooning the entire village accidentally.
But hey --
that’s the risk of true kilt-based living.
🚇 LondonWhen he goes down to London,
the posh ladies in the Underground
nearly twist their necks off gawking.
Londoners be like:
“Good heavens — is that lad allergic to trousers?!”
Donald’s just thinking:
“Aye, ye southern softies --
ye wouldn’t last five minutes in a Highland breeze.”
🦌 Highland Pride. He says the Highlanders would faint dead away
if they ever saw him in trousers.
That’s practically cultural treason!
It’d be like:
- A Scot refusing whisky
- A bagpipe playing quietly
- Nessie applying for a passport
💘 The Lassies. All the women want a piece of Donald --
he’s basically Highland Elvis.
And he warns them:
“Ye cannae tame a Highlander!”
He’s like a stag on the moors --
wild, woolly-kneed, and untrousered.
🎸 The Rock-n-Roll Interlude. Then the song itself starts arguing with itself:
Scottish style vs. international rock version.
Even in music, Donald refuses trousers:
he’s rocking, rolling, and still airing the legs.
🏴 Final Verdict. This whole song is:
- 40% Highland swagger
- 30% wind-assisted bravado
- 20% patriotic knee exposure
- 10% accidental indecency
Why wear trousers when you’ve got a kilt --
and a healthy disregard for weather and modesty?
So aye — whether you sing it Scottish-style
or rock-and-roll-style --
just remember the chorus:
“Let the wind blow high, let the wind blow low --
through the streets in my kilt I’ll go!”
And if anyone asks…
Donald — where ARE yer troosers?!
Answer with full Highland pride:
“In the drawer — where they belong!”
Donald where's your trousers piano sheet music
Andy Steward song Donald Where's Your Trousers
Donald where's your trousers sheet music notes in Do Re Mi, in the key of D Major.
