Farewell Ye Banks O'Sicily Lyrics And chords
Farewell Ye Banks O'Sicily Lyrics And easy guitar chords. chordsThe lyrics are by Hamish Henderson. The ukulele and five string banjo chords are included. It is an old pipe tune called "Farewell to the Creeks".The tune was written by a Pipe major from the Gordon's who was captured at Le Cateau in August 1914 as the German Army swept into France. I think he wrote the tune in POW camp (he got some kind of medal for his resistance in camp). Anyway he was Pipe Major J.B. Robinson and the "Creeks" referred to in the tune are at Portknockie on the Mory Firth in Scotland. The above info. was sent to me by Brian MacLeod.This song is based on the experiences of the writer while he served in Sicily after North Africa during the second world war, he later took part in the invasion of Italy in 1943.Captain Hamish Henderson made a name for himself after the war as a fine poet songwriter and folklorist.Hamish was the founder of the School of Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University. He passed away in 2002. The song is sang here in the youtube video by Ryans Fancy who formed in Canada in 1971 and continue to play around Newfoundland and Labrador spreading and keeping the folk tradition alive. The main singer in the band Dermot O'Reilly passed away in 2007. With Ryan's Fancy Dermot also done a great job covering The Streets Of London Song by folk singer / songwriter Ralph McTell. The guitar chords are in the Chordpro format.
[C]The pipie is dozy the [F]pipie is [C]fey
[C]He wullnae come roon for his vino the [G]day
The [C]sky o'er Messina is [F]unco and [C]grey
[C]And a' the bricht chaulmers are [G]eeri[C]e
[C]Fare[F]weel ye [C]banks o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]valley and shaw
There's [C]nae [F]Jock will [C]mourn the [Am]kyles o' ye
[C]Puir bluidy squaddies are [G]weari[C]e
Fare[F]weel ye [C]banks o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]valley and shaw
There's [C]nae [F]hame can [C]smoor the [Am]wiles o' ye
[C]Puir bluidy squaddies are [G]weari[C]e
Then doon the stair and line the waterside
Wait your turn the ferry's awa
Then doon the stair and line the waterside
A' the bricht chaulmers are eerie
The drummie is polisht, the drummie is braw
He cannae be seen for his webbin awa
He's beezed himsel' up for a photy and a'
Tae leave wi' his Lola his dearie
Fare ye weel ye dives o' Sicily
Fare ye weel ye shieling and ha'
We'll a' mind shebeens and bothies
Whaur kind signoritas were cheerie
Fare ye weel ye banks o' Sicily
Fare ye weel ye shieling and ha'
We'll a' mind shebeens and bothies
Whaur Jock made a date wi' his dearie
Then tune the pipes and drub the tenor drum
Leave your kit this side o' the wa'
Then tune the pipes and drub the tenor drum
A' the bricht chaulmers are eerie.
Lyrics And Chords C-F
[C]He wullnae come roon for his vino the [G]day
The [C]sky o'er Messina is [F]unco and [C]grey
[C]And a' the bricht chaulmers are [G]eeri[C]e
[C]Fare[F]weel ye [C]banks o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]valley and shaw
There's [C]nae [F]Jock will [C]mourn the [Am]kyles o' ye
[C]Puir bluidy squaddies are [G]weari[C]e
Fare[F]weel ye [C]banks o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]valley and shaw
There's [C]nae [F]hame can [C]smoor the [Am]wiles o' ye
[C]Puir bluidy squaddies are [G]weari[C]e
Then doon the stair and line the waterside
Wait your turn the ferry's awa
Then doon the stair and line the waterside
A' the bricht chaulmers are eerie
The drummie is polisht, the drummie is braw
He cannae be seen for his webbin awa
He's beezed himsel' up for a photy and a'
Tae leave wi' his Lola his dearie
Fare ye weel ye dives o' Sicily
Fare ye weel ye shieling and ha'
We'll a' mind shebeens and bothies
Whaur kind signoritas were cheerie
Fare ye weel ye banks o' Sicily
Fare ye weel ye shieling and ha'
We'll a' mind shebeens and bothies
Whaur Jock made a date wi' his dearie
Then tune the pipes and drub the tenor drum
Leave your kit this side o' the wa'
Then tune the pipes and drub the tenor drum
A' the bricht chaulmers are eerie.
Lyrics And Chords C-F
“Farewell Ye Banks o’ Sicily”, a fine Hamish Henderson song often sung in slow march rhythm.
Here’s the full version with chords for every verse in C major, plus a fitting Scottish ballad strumming pattern to match its solemn, rolling tone.
🎵 Farewell Ye Banks o’ Sicily
Key: C Major
Tempo: Slow march / lament (around 70–80 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Strumming Pattern
A soft, steady folk march works best here:
Down – Down – Up – Down – Up
or simplified: ↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Accent the first down lightly, and let the upstrokes ring for that wistful, pipe-like cadence.
Alternatively, for a more solemn mood:
Down… Down… Down-Up… (slow ballad feel)
Verse 1
[C]The pipie is dozy, the [F]pipie is [C]fey
[C]He wullnae come roon for his vino the [G]day
The [C]sky o'er Messina is [F]unco and [C]grey
[C]And a' the bricht chaulmers are [G]eeri[C]e
Chorus
[C]Fare[F]weel ye [C]banks o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]valley and shaw
There's [C]nae [F]Jock will [C]mourn the [Am]kyles o' ye
[C]Puir bluidy squaddies are [G]weari[C]e
(Repeat chorus after each verse — optional for performance)
Verse 2
Then [C]doon the stair and [F]line the [C]waterside
[C]Wait your turn, the [G]ferry's awa'
Then [C]doon the stair and [F]line the [C]waterside
[C]A' the bricht chaulmers are [G]eeri[C]e
→ Chorus (same as above)
Verse 3
The [C]drummie is polisht, the [F]drummie is [C]braw
He [C]cannae be seen for his webbin [G]awa'
He's [C]beezed himsel' up for a [F]photy and [C]a'
[C]Tae leave wi' his Lola, his [G]deari[C]e
→ Chorus: “Fare ye weel ye dives o’ Sicily…”
Alternative Chorus for Verse 3
Fare[F]ye weel ye [C]dives o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]shieling and ha'
We'll a'[C]mind shebeens and [F]bothies
Whaur [C]kind signoritas were [G]cheeri[C]e
Verse 4
Fare[F]ye weel ye [C]banks o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]shieling and ha'
We'll a'[C]mind shebeens and [F]bothies
Whaur [C]Jock made a date wi' his [G]deari[C]e
Verse 5 / Closing Verse
Then [C]tune the pipes and [F]drub the [C]tenor drum
[C]Leave your kit this [G]side o' the wa'
Then [C]tune the pipes and [F]drub the [C]tenor drum
[C]A' the bricht chaulmers are [G]eeri[C]e
→ Finish softly with one final chorus and let the last C chord ring out.
🎶 Performance Tips
Light strum with open chords — or fingerpick softly for verses, strum for chorus.
You can add a gentle bass note pick on beats 1 and 3 for a pipe-band feel (e.g. pluck 5th string → strum → pluck → strum).
End slowly, letting the final “eerie” chord fade out naturally.
Here’s the full version with chords for every verse in C major, plus a fitting Scottish ballad strumming pattern to match its solemn, rolling tone.
🎵 Farewell Ye Banks o’ Sicily
Key: C Major
Tempo: Slow march / lament (around 70–80 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Strumming Pattern
A soft, steady folk march works best here:
Down – Down – Up – Down – Up
or simplified: ↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Accent the first down lightly, and let the upstrokes ring for that wistful, pipe-like cadence.
Alternatively, for a more solemn mood:
Down… Down… Down-Up… (slow ballad feel)
Verse 1
[C]The pipie is dozy, the [F]pipie is [C]fey
[C]He wullnae come roon for his vino the [G]day
The [C]sky o'er Messina is [F]unco and [C]grey
[C]And a' the bricht chaulmers are [G]eeri[C]e
Chorus
[C]Fare[F]weel ye [C]banks o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]valley and shaw
There's [C]nae [F]Jock will [C]mourn the [Am]kyles o' ye
[C]Puir bluidy squaddies are [G]weari[C]e
(Repeat chorus after each verse — optional for performance)
Verse 2
Then [C]doon the stair and [F]line the [C]waterside
[C]Wait your turn, the [G]ferry's awa'
Then [C]doon the stair and [F]line the [C]waterside
[C]A' the bricht chaulmers are [G]eeri[C]e
→ Chorus (same as above)
Verse 3
The [C]drummie is polisht, the [F]drummie is [C]braw
He [C]cannae be seen for his webbin [G]awa'
He's [C]beezed himsel' up for a [F]photy and [C]a'
[C]Tae leave wi' his Lola, his [G]deari[C]e
→ Chorus: “Fare ye weel ye dives o’ Sicily…”
Alternative Chorus for Verse 3
Fare[F]ye weel ye [C]dives o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]shieling and ha'
We'll a'[C]mind shebeens and [F]bothies
Whaur [C]kind signoritas were [G]cheeri[C]e
Verse 4
Fare[F]ye weel ye [C]banks o' [Am]Sicily
[F]Fare ye [C]weel ye [G]shieling and ha'
We'll a'[C]mind shebeens and [F]bothies
Whaur [C]Jock made a date wi' his [G]deari[C]e
Verse 5 / Closing Verse
Then [C]tune the pipes and [F]drub the [C]tenor drum
[C]Leave your kit this [G]side o' the wa'
Then [C]tune the pipes and [F]drub the [C]tenor drum
[C]A' the bricht chaulmers are [G]eeri[C]e
→ Finish softly with one final chorus and let the last C chord ring out.
🎶 Performance Tips
Light strum with open chords — or fingerpick softly for verses, strum for chorus.
You can add a gentle bass note pick on beats 1 and 3 for a pipe-band feel (e.g. pluck 5th string → strum → pluck → strum).
End slowly, letting the final “eerie” chord fade out naturally.
🎵 Farewell Ye Banks o’ Sicily
Key: G Major
Tempo: Slow Scottish March (70–80 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Strumming Pattern
For a steady, march-like ballad feel:
Down – Down – Up – Down – Up
(↓ ↓↑ ↓↑)
Emphasize the first Down beat each measure, or for a softer, mournful verse feel, use:
Down… Down… Down-Up…
Verse 1
[G]The pipie is dozy, the [C]pipie is [G]fey
[G]He wullnae come roon for his vino the [D]day
The [G]sky o'er Messina is [C]unco and [G]grey
[G]And a' the bricht chaulmers are [D]eeri[G]e
Chorus
[G]Fare[C]weel ye [G]banks o' [Em]Sicily
[C]Fare ye [G]weel ye [D]valley and shaw
There's [G]nae [C]Jock will [G]mourn the [Em]kyles o' ye
[G]Puir bluidy squaddies are [D]weari[G]e
Verse 2
Then [G]doon the stair and [C]line the [G]waterside
[G]Wait your turn, the [D]ferry's awa'
Then [G]doon the stair and [C]line the [G]waterside
[G]A' the bricht chaulmers are [D]eeri[G]e
→ Repeat Chorus
Verse 3
The [G]drummie is polisht, the [C]drummie is [G]braw
He [G]cannae be seen for his webbin [D]awa'
He's [G]beezed himsel' up for a [C]photy and [G]a'
[G]Tae leave wi' his Lola, his [D]deari[G]e
Alternative Chorus (Verse 3 onward)
Fare[C]ye weel ye [G]dives o' [Em]Sicily
[C]Fare ye [G]weel ye [D]shieling and ha'
We'll a'[G]mind shebeens and [C]bothies
Whaur [G]kind signoritas were [D]cheeri[G]e
Verse 4
Fare[C]ye weel ye [G]banks o' [Em]Sicily
[C]Fare ye [G]weel ye [D]shieling and ha'
We'll a'[G]mind shebeens and [C]bothies
Whaur [G]Jock made a date wi' his [D]deari[G]e
Verse 5 / Final Verse
Then [G]tune the pipes and [C]drub the [G]tenor drum
[G]Leave your kit this [D]side o' the wa'
Then [G]tune the pipes and [C]drub the [G]tenor drum
[G]A' the bricht chaulmers are [D]eeri[G]e
→ End softly with one final chorus and let the G chord ring out.
🎶 Performance Notes
Use light downstrokes for verses, then stronger full strums for each chorus.
For a traditional feel, try alternating bass notes (6th → 5th) between downstrokes.
On the final “eerie,” slow the tempo and let the G chord fade naturally.
🎵 FINGERPICKING PATTERN (3/4 Rolling Arpeggio)
Used on all chords:
G chord
e|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--0-----------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|
C chord
e|--------0-----------|
B|------1---1---------|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--2-----------------|
A|3-------------------|
E|--------------------|
D chord
e|--------2-----------|
B|------3---3---------|
G|----2-------2-------|
D|--0-----------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|
Em chord
e|--------0-----------|
B|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--2-----------------|
A|2-------------------|
E|0-------------------|
🎶 VERSE 1 — 3 bars per line (3/4)
[G]The pipie is dozy, the [C]pipie is [G]fey
G C G
e|--3---------3----------0---------0----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------1-----1-----1--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------3--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
[G]He wullnae come roon for his vino the [D]day
G G D
e|--3---------3----------3---------3----------2---------2----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------0-----0-----0--------3-----3--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------2---2----------|
D|--0---------------------0--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
E|--3---------------------3-----------------------------------|
The [G]sky o'er Messina is [C]unco and [G]grey
G C G
e|--3---------3----------0---------0----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------1-----1-----1--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------3--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
[G]And a' the bricht chaulmers are [D]eeri[G]e
G D G
e|--3---------3----------2---------2----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------3-----3-----3--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------2---2---2-----2------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------0--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------0--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
🎵 CHORUS — 3 bars per line (3/4)
[G]Fare[C]weel ye [G]banks o' [Em]Sicily
G C G
e|--3---------3----------0---------0----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------1-----1-----1--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------3--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
[C]Fare ye [G]weel ye [D]valley and shaw
C G D
e|--0---------0----------3---------3----------2---------2----|
B|--1-----1-----1--------0-----0-----0--------3-----3--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------2---2----------|
D|--2---------------------0--------------------0--------------|
A|--3---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
E|------------------------3-----------------------------------|
There's [G]nae [C]Jock will [G]mourn the [Em]kyles o' ye
G C G
e|--3---------3----------0---------0----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------1-----1-----1--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------3--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
[G]Puir bluidy squaddies are [D]weari[G]e
G D G
e|--3---------3----------2---------2----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------3-----3-----3--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------2---2---2-----2------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------0--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------0--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
Key: G Major
Tempo: Slow Scottish March (70–80 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Strumming Pattern
For a steady, march-like ballad feel:
Down – Down – Up – Down – Up
(↓ ↓↑ ↓↑)
Emphasize the first Down beat each measure, or for a softer, mournful verse feel, use:
Down… Down… Down-Up…
Verse 1
[G]The pipie is dozy, the [C]pipie is [G]fey
[G]He wullnae come roon for his vino the [D]day
The [G]sky o'er Messina is [C]unco and [G]grey
[G]And a' the bricht chaulmers are [D]eeri[G]e
Chorus
[G]Fare[C]weel ye [G]banks o' [Em]Sicily
[C]Fare ye [G]weel ye [D]valley and shaw
There's [G]nae [C]Jock will [G]mourn the [Em]kyles o' ye
[G]Puir bluidy squaddies are [D]weari[G]e
Verse 2
Then [G]doon the stair and [C]line the [G]waterside
[G]Wait your turn, the [D]ferry's awa'
Then [G]doon the stair and [C]line the [G]waterside
[G]A' the bricht chaulmers are [D]eeri[G]e
→ Repeat Chorus
Verse 3
The [G]drummie is polisht, the [C]drummie is [G]braw
He [G]cannae be seen for his webbin [D]awa'
He's [G]beezed himsel' up for a [C]photy and [G]a'
[G]Tae leave wi' his Lola, his [D]deari[G]e
Alternative Chorus (Verse 3 onward)
Fare[C]ye weel ye [G]dives o' [Em]Sicily
[C]Fare ye [G]weel ye [D]shieling and ha'
We'll a'[G]mind shebeens and [C]bothies
Whaur [G]kind signoritas were [D]cheeri[G]e
Verse 4
Fare[C]ye weel ye [G]banks o' [Em]Sicily
[C]Fare ye [G]weel ye [D]shieling and ha'
We'll a'[G]mind shebeens and [C]bothies
Whaur [G]Jock made a date wi' his [D]deari[G]e
Verse 5 / Final Verse
Then [G]tune the pipes and [C]drub the [G]tenor drum
[G]Leave your kit this [D]side o' the wa'
Then [G]tune the pipes and [C]drub the [G]tenor drum
[G]A' the bricht chaulmers are [D]eeri[G]e
→ End softly with one final chorus and let the G chord ring out.
🎶 Performance Notes
Use light downstrokes for verses, then stronger full strums for each chorus.
For a traditional feel, try alternating bass notes (6th → 5th) between downstrokes.
On the final “eerie,” slow the tempo and let the G chord fade naturally.
🎵 FINGERPICKING PATTERN (3/4 Rolling Arpeggio)
Used on all chords:
G chord
e|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--0-----------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|
C chord
e|--------0-----------|
B|------1---1---------|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--2-----------------|
A|3-------------------|
E|--------------------|
D chord
e|--------2-----------|
B|------3---3---------|
G|----2-------2-------|
D|--0-----------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|
Em chord
e|--------0-----------|
B|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--2-----------------|
A|2-------------------|
E|0-------------------|
🎶 VERSE 1 — 3 bars per line (3/4)
[G]The pipie is dozy, the [C]pipie is [G]fey
G C G
e|--3---------3----------0---------0----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------1-----1-----1--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------3--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
[G]He wullnae come roon for his vino the [D]day
G G D
e|--3---------3----------3---------3----------2---------2----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------0-----0-----0--------3-----3--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------2---2----------|
D|--0---------------------0--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
E|--3---------------------3-----------------------------------|
The [G]sky o'er Messina is [C]unco and [G]grey
G C G
e|--3---------3----------0---------0----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------1-----1-----1--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------3--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
[G]And a' the bricht chaulmers are [D]eeri[G]e
G D G
e|--3---------3----------2---------2----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------3-----3-----3--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------2---2---2-----2------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------0--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------0--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
🎵 CHORUS — 3 bars per line (3/4)
[G]Fare[C]weel ye [G]banks o' [Em]Sicily
G C G
e|--3---------3----------0---------0----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------1-----1-----1--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------3--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
[C]Fare ye [G]weel ye [D]valley and shaw
C G D
e|--0---------0----------3---------3----------2---------2----|
B|--1-----1-----1--------0-----0-----0--------3-----3--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------2---2----------|
D|--2---------------------0--------------------0--------------|
A|--3---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
E|------------------------3-----------------------------------|
There's [G]nae [C]Jock will [G]mourn the [Em]kyles o' ye
G C G
e|--3---------3----------0---------0----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------1-----1-----1--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------0---0---0-----0------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------2--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------3--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
[G]Puir bluidy squaddies are [D]weari[G]e
G D G
e|--3---------3----------2---------2----------3---------3----|
B|--0-----0-----0--------3-----3-----3--------0-----0--------|
G|--0---0---0-----0------2---2---2-----2------0---0----------|
D|--0---------------------0--------------------0--------------|
A|--2---------------------0--------------------2--------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
This song is also known as "The 51st. Highland Division`s Farewell to Sicily" and is most likely the correct name.
Included below are the five string banjo chords.
Included below are the five string banjo chords.
