ÉALAIGH LIOM, Lyrics and Guitar Chords
The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included. ÉALAIGH LIOM / NO BIDÍ NÍ MHAOLDÚIN 3/4 Lyrics from Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin's "A Hidden Ulster". Chords fit the Highland-Sessions’ version on YouTube which only uses the verses 1,3,4,6,5 +several instrumental parts of the same chords. The guitar work is courtesy of Marc Fahrbach. What a beautiful song and well sang, great musicians, this is one of the very few songs that uses both Irish Gaelic and the English language together in song. Return to the list of As Gaeilge Song Lyrics .
1. A (G)Bhidí bheag mhúinte, is tú d'fhág mo chroí (Em)dúnta,
(G)Scéimh na gcúig gcúige in do (C)chuirlín deas (D)donn,
Tá (G)rós i gclár d'éadain 'chuirfeadh maise ar mhná(ibh) (Am)Éireann,
Is in (G)ainneaoin chlann na (Em)nGael, 'sí (Am)Bidí mo (G)rún. -Em-Am-G
Cúrfa/ Chorus (Repeat after each verse)
I (G)cast my eye on this charming fair (Em)maiden,
Is (G)bhí mé dhá teannadh (C)anonn le mo (D)chroí,
Orú (G)éist is a stór, if you go with (Am)anyone,
(G)Leave your (Em)mammy and (Am)come with (G)me. -Em-Am-G
2. Little (G)Biddy, my darling, I'll dress you in (Em)scarlet,
In the (G)neatest of broadcloth that (C)e'er crossed the (D)main,
I'd (G)rather my darling than ten thousand (Am)sterling,
I had (G)you in my (Em)arms from (Am)morning till (G)noon. -Em-Am-G
3. Tá (G)buachaillí óga do m'iarraidh le (Em)pósadh,
Cha (G)phósaim go deo(idh) aon (C)fhear in mur (D)dtír,
Ar (G)neamhchead na slóite tá mo ghean go (Am)rómhór ort,
Cha (G)déanaim lá (Em)róúil go (Am)dtillidh tú (G)aríst. -Em-Am-G
4. There are (G)young men and many coming to me and (Em)from me
They all (G)swear they'll have me but (C)it's all in (D)vain,
Sure it's (G)well known to many I'm in deep love with (Am)Jemmy,
And I (G)never will (Em)marry till I (Am)see him a(G)gain. -Em-Am-G
5. Oh (G)once in my youth 'twas I took a (Em)ramble,
Le mo (G)chúl álainn, feamainneach, (C)triopallach (D)donn,
(G)I asked her kindly if she would (Am)marry me,
(G)Fág do (Em)mhamaí is (Am)éalaigh (G)liom. -Em-Am-G
6. Dá (G)mbeinnse do mo thórramh, mo chomhrá dá (Em)treorú,
Is (G)mé ar mo bhéirdrín ag (C)dul 'un na (D)cill',
Dá (G)gcluinfeadh mo stór é nach mbeadh sí (Am)róbhrónach?
Póg (G)amháin óna (Em)béal, gach (Am)leigheas bheadh (G)ann. -Em-Am-G
7. If (G)I were a-waking, my coffin a-(Em)making,
And (G)I on my bearer going (C)straight to the (D)grave,
If my (G)true love should hear it, I'm sure it would (Am)grieve her,
One (G)kiss from her (Em)sweet lips would (Am)raise me a(G)gain. -Em-Am-G
8. A (G)Bhríde, a théagair, ná bíodh ortsa (Em)buaireamh,
Do (G)chúl a bhí feamainneach, (C)triopallach (D)donn,
Tá (G)réaltaí i d'éadan, 'chuirfeadh maise ar mhná(ibh) (Am)Éireann,
'Sí (G)aingeal 'thug (Em)Dia dúinn, 'sí (Am)Bidí Ní (Mhao) (G)'ldúin. -Em-Am-G
“Bidí Beag Mhúinte” is a soft, romantic Irish air that works wonderfully in 4/4 with a gentle folk rhythm.
It’s heartfelt, lilting, and should sound flowing — like a slow walk or love confession.
Let’s set it in G major, and I’ll give you both:
A strumming pattern (4/4 ballad feel)
A fingerpicking tab for the first verse and chorus
🎸 Strumming Pattern (4/4 Slow Folk Ballad)
Count: 1 2 3 4
This song wants a steady, warm flow — no sharp accents.
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
(count: 1 2& &3 4&)
Beat 1: Slow downstroke on the bass (root)
Beat 2: Light down-up
Beat 3–4: Soft up-down-up motion to keep the feel moving
Use fingertips or soft pick — keep dynamics gentle.
Example (G chord):
| G | G |
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
1 2& &3 4&
Bass alternation ideas:
G → 6th / 4th strings
C → 5th / 4th strings
D → 4th / 5th strings
Am → 5th / 4th strings
Em → 6th / 4th strings
You can also lightly palm mute the bass strings for intimacy.
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse + Chorus)
We’ll use a 4/4 arpeggio pattern common in Irish folk:
Thumb (p) → Index (i) → Middle (m) → Ring (a)
It repeats once per measure — flowing and harp-like.
Use:
Thumb (p) on bass (E, A, or D)
Index (i) on G string
Middle (m) on B string
Ring (a) on high E
Let notes ring together for a warm, full sound.
First Verse Tab
G Em
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------0---0---------0---0------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|
A|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|0-----------0------------------|
A Bhidí bheag mhúinte, is tú d'fhág mo chroí dúnta,
G C D
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------2-------------2--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1------|------3---3---------3---3------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|3-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
Scéimh na gcúig gcúige in do churlín deas donn,
G Am G
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------3-------------3--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1------|------0---0---------0---0------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|-------------------------------|-3-----------3-----------------|
Tá rós i gclár d’éadain ’chuirfeadh maise ar mhnáibh Éireann,
G Em Am G
e|--------3-------------3-----|--------0-------------0-----|--------0-------------0-----|--------3-------------3-----|
B|------0---0---------0---0---|------0---0---------0---0---|------1---1---------1---1---|------0---0---------0---0---|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-|----0-------0-----0-------0-|----2-------2-----2-------2-|----0-------0-----0-------0-|
D|--0-----------0-------------|--2-----------2-------------|--2-----------2-------------|--0-----------0-------------|
A|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|0---------------------------|-----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3---------------|0-----------0---------------|-----------------------------|-3-----------3---------------|
Is in ainneoin chlann na nGael, ’sí Bidí mo rún.
Chorus Tab
G Em
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------0---0---------0---0------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|
A|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|0-----------0------------------|
I cast my eye on this charming fair maiden,
G C D
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------2-------------2--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1------|------3---3---------3---3------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|3-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
Is bhí mé dhá teannadh anonn le mo chroí,
G Am G
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------3-------------3--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1------|------0---0---------0---0------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|-------------------------------|-3-----------3-----------------|
Orú éist is a stór, if you go with anyone,
G Em Am G
e|--------3-------------3----|--------0-------------0----|--------0-------------0----|--------3-------------3----|
B|------0---0---------0---0--|------0---0---------0---0--|------1---1---------1---1--|------0---0---------0---0--|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0|----0-------0-----0-------0|----2-------2-----2-------2|----0-------0-----0-------0|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|----------------------------|0--------------------------|----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|0-----------0--------------|----------------------------|-3-----------3--------------|
Leave your mammy and come with me.
English Translation:
O wee modest Biddy, it's you left my heart aching,
The beauty of Ireland in your brown curly hair,
There's a rose on your forehead would enhance Irish women
In spite of the Irish people, she's Biddy my dear.
(I cast my eye on this charming fair maiden,)
To my heart I was coaxing her close as could be,
(O listen, my love, if you go with anyone,)
Leave your mammy & come with me.
Little Biddy, my darling....
There are young men here wanting to marry me,
But I'll not ever marry any man in your land,
In spite of them all I love you too much,
I'll not have a day's pleasure till you come again.
There are young men & many....
(Once in my youth, 'twas I took a ramble,)
with my beautiful, brown, curly-haired dear,
(I asked her kindly if she would marry me,)
Leave your mammy & come with me.
If I were being mourned & my coffin being borne,
& I on my bearer going along to the grave [burial place]
If my love she'd hear of it, wouldn't she be too grieved?
One kiss from her mouth would heal me again.
If I were a-waking....
O Biddy, my darling, don't you be down-hearted,
Your curly brown hair is in waves flowing down,
There are stars in your face would enhance Irish ladies,
An angel from God, she's Biddy Muldoon.
(G)Scéimh na gcúig gcúige in do (C)chuirlín deas (D)donn,
Tá (G)rós i gclár d'éadain 'chuirfeadh maise ar mhná(ibh) (Am)Éireann,
Is in (G)ainneaoin chlann na (Em)nGael, 'sí (Am)Bidí mo (G)rún. -Em-Am-G
Cúrfa/ Chorus (Repeat after each verse)
I (G)cast my eye on this charming fair (Em)maiden,
Is (G)bhí mé dhá teannadh (C)anonn le mo (D)chroí,
Orú (G)éist is a stór, if you go with (Am)anyone,
(G)Leave your (Em)mammy and (Am)come with (G)me. -Em-Am-G
2. Little (G)Biddy, my darling, I'll dress you in (Em)scarlet,
In the (G)neatest of broadcloth that (C)e'er crossed the (D)main,
I'd (G)rather my darling than ten thousand (Am)sterling,
I had (G)you in my (Em)arms from (Am)morning till (G)noon. -Em-Am-G
3. Tá (G)buachaillí óga do m'iarraidh le (Em)pósadh,
Cha (G)phósaim go deo(idh) aon (C)fhear in mur (D)dtír,
Ar (G)neamhchead na slóite tá mo ghean go (Am)rómhór ort,
Cha (G)déanaim lá (Em)róúil go (Am)dtillidh tú (G)aríst. -Em-Am-G
4. There are (G)young men and many coming to me and (Em)from me
They all (G)swear they'll have me but (C)it's all in (D)vain,
Sure it's (G)well known to many I'm in deep love with (Am)Jemmy,
And I (G)never will (Em)marry till I (Am)see him a(G)gain. -Em-Am-G
5. Oh (G)once in my youth 'twas I took a (Em)ramble,
Le mo (G)chúl álainn, feamainneach, (C)triopallach (D)donn,
(G)I asked her kindly if she would (Am)marry me,
(G)Fág do (Em)mhamaí is (Am)éalaigh (G)liom. -Em-Am-G
6. Dá (G)mbeinnse do mo thórramh, mo chomhrá dá (Em)treorú,
Is (G)mé ar mo bhéirdrín ag (C)dul 'un na (D)cill',
Dá (G)gcluinfeadh mo stór é nach mbeadh sí (Am)róbhrónach?
Póg (G)amháin óna (Em)béal, gach (Am)leigheas bheadh (G)ann. -Em-Am-G
7. If (G)I were a-waking, my coffin a-(Em)making,
And (G)I on my bearer going (C)straight to the (D)grave,
If my (G)true love should hear it, I'm sure it would (Am)grieve her,
One (G)kiss from her (Em)sweet lips would (Am)raise me a(G)gain. -Em-Am-G
8. A (G)Bhríde, a théagair, ná bíodh ortsa (Em)buaireamh,
Do (G)chúl a bhí feamainneach, (C)triopallach (D)donn,
Tá (G)réaltaí i d'éadan, 'chuirfeadh maise ar mhná(ibh) (Am)Éireann,
'Sí (G)aingeal 'thug (Em)Dia dúinn, 'sí (Am)Bidí Ní (Mhao) (G)'ldúin. -Em-Am-G
“Bidí Beag Mhúinte” is a soft, romantic Irish air that works wonderfully in 4/4 with a gentle folk rhythm.
It’s heartfelt, lilting, and should sound flowing — like a slow walk or love confession.
Let’s set it in G major, and I’ll give you both:
A strumming pattern (4/4 ballad feel)
A fingerpicking tab for the first verse and chorus
🎸 Strumming Pattern (4/4 Slow Folk Ballad)
Count: 1 2 3 4
This song wants a steady, warm flow — no sharp accents.
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
(count: 1 2& &3 4&)
Beat 1: Slow downstroke on the bass (root)
Beat 2: Light down-up
Beat 3–4: Soft up-down-up motion to keep the feel moving
Use fingertips or soft pick — keep dynamics gentle.
Example (G chord):
| G | G |
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
1 2& &3 4&
Bass alternation ideas:
G → 6th / 4th strings
C → 5th / 4th strings
D → 4th / 5th strings
Am → 5th / 4th strings
Em → 6th / 4th strings
You can also lightly palm mute the bass strings for intimacy.
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse + Chorus)
We’ll use a 4/4 arpeggio pattern common in Irish folk:
Thumb (p) → Index (i) → Middle (m) → Ring (a)
It repeats once per measure — flowing and harp-like.
Use:
Thumb (p) on bass (E, A, or D)
Index (i) on G string
Middle (m) on B string
Ring (a) on high E
Let notes ring together for a warm, full sound.
First Verse Tab
G Em
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------0---0---------0---0------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|
A|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|0-----------0------------------|
A Bhidí bheag mhúinte, is tú d'fhág mo chroí dúnta,
G C D
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------2-------------2--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1------|------3---3---------3---3------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|3-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
Scéimh na gcúig gcúige in do churlín deas donn,
G Am G
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------3-------------3--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1------|------0---0---------0---0------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|-------------------------------|-3-----------3-----------------|
Tá rós i gclár d’éadain ’chuirfeadh maise ar mhnáibh Éireann,
G Em Am G
e|--------3-------------3-----|--------0-------------0-----|--------0-------------0-----|--------3-------------3-----|
B|------0---0---------0---0---|------0---0---------0---0---|------1---1---------1---1---|------0---0---------0---0---|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-|----0-------0-----0-------0-|----2-------2-----2-------2-|----0-------0-----0-------0-|
D|--0-----------0-------------|--2-----------2-------------|--2-----------2-------------|--0-----------0-------------|
A|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|0---------------------------|-----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3---------------|0-----------0---------------|-----------------------------|-3-----------3---------------|
Is in ainneoin chlann na nGael, ’sí Bidí mo rún.
Chorus Tab
G Em
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------0---0---------0---0------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|
A|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|0-----------0------------------|
I cast my eye on this charming fair maiden,
G C D
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------2-------------2--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1------|------3---3---------3---3------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|3-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
Is bhí mé dhá teannadh anonn le mo chroí,
G Am G
e|--------3-------------3--------|--------0-------------0--------|--------3-------------3--------|
B|------0---0---------0---0------|------1---1---------1---1------|------0---0---------0---0------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0----|----2-------2-----2-------2----|----0-------0-----0-------0----|
D|--0-----------0----------------|--2-----------2----------------|--0-----------0----------------|
A|-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|-------------------------------|-3-----------3-----------------|
Orú éist is a stór, if you go with anyone,
G Em Am G
e|--------3-------------3----|--------0-------------0----|--------0-------------0----|--------3-------------3----|
B|------0---0---------0---0--|------0---0---------0---0--|------1---1---------1---1--|------0---0---------0---0--|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0|----0-------0-----0-------0|----2-------2-----2-------2|----0-------0-----0-------0|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------------------|----------------------------|0--------------------------|----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3--------------|0-----------0--------------|----------------------------|-3-----------3--------------|
Leave your mammy and come with me.
English Translation:
O wee modest Biddy, it's you left my heart aching,
The beauty of Ireland in your brown curly hair,
There's a rose on your forehead would enhance Irish women
In spite of the Irish people, she's Biddy my dear.
(I cast my eye on this charming fair maiden,)
To my heart I was coaxing her close as could be,
(O listen, my love, if you go with anyone,)
Leave your mammy & come with me.
Little Biddy, my darling....
There are young men here wanting to marry me,
But I'll not ever marry any man in your land,
In spite of them all I love you too much,
I'll not have a day's pleasure till you come again.
There are young men & many....
(Once in my youth, 'twas I took a ramble,)
with my beautiful, brown, curly-haired dear,
(I asked her kindly if she would marry me,)
Leave your mammy & come with me.
If I were being mourned & my coffin being borne,
& I on my bearer going along to the grave [burial place]
If my love she'd hear of it, wouldn't she be too grieved?
One kiss from her mouth would heal me again.
If I were a-waking....
O Biddy, my darling, don't you be down-hearted,
Your curly brown hair is in waves flowing down,
There are stars in your face would enhance Irish ladies,
An angel from God, she's Biddy Muldoon.
ÉALAIGH LIOM Irish sheet music
