Free The People Lyrics And Chords By The Dubliners
Free The People Lyrics And Chords- Written by Phil Coulter.Another classic from Phil who wrote brilliant songs like The Town I Loved So Well and preformed at its best by The Dubliners with Luke Kelly on vocals. There are 2 sets of chords here. The first is the easy version and the second set of guitar chords are in the same key as the Dubliners. Free The People Sheet Music By The Dubliners, link included along with a link to the tin whistle notes.
Laws were made for people
And the law can never scorn
The right of a man to be free
[Chorus]
Free[C] the[G] people ,[C] let them have their[G] say
[C]Free the[G] people[C] let them[D] see the light of [G]day
The[G] dismal dawn was breaking
When they[Em] took her man away
Not[C] knowing what was his[D] crime
Just[G] what was he guilty of
Not[Em] one of them could say
But[C] they'll think of[D] something in[G] time
He[C] says goodbye and re[G]members
[C]We shall[Am] over[D]come
Comforting her children
Softly crying in the night
She tried very hard to explain
You know your daddy never did a thing
That wasn't right
So soon he's bound to be home again
He is a good man
And we shall overcome
What does it profit him
The right to be born
If he suffers the loss of liberty
Laws were made for people
And the law can never scorn
The right of a man to be free
We are the people
And we shall overcome
We are the people
And we shall overcome
And the law can never scorn
The right of a man to be free
[Chorus]
Free[C] the[G] people ,[C] let them have their[G] say
[C]Free the[G] people[C] let them[D] see the light of [G]day
The[G] dismal dawn was breaking
When they[Em] took her man away
Not[C] knowing what was his[D] crime
Just[G] what was he guilty of
Not[Em] one of them could say
But[C] they'll think of[D] something in[G] time
He[C] says goodbye and re[G]members
[C]We shall[Am] over[D]come
Comforting her children
Softly crying in the night
She tried very hard to explain
You know your daddy never did a thing
That wasn't right
So soon he's bound to be home again
He is a good man
And we shall overcome
What does it profit him
The right to be born
If he suffers the loss of liberty
Laws were made for people
And the law can never scorn
The right of a man to be free
We are the people
And we shall overcome
We are the people
And we shall overcome
Key: G Major
Time Signature: 3/4
Tempo: 114 BPM (moderate waltz)
Let’s add:
✅ A folk-style strumming pattern for 3/4 timing
✅ A fingerpicking guitar tab that fits all verses
✅ A few performance notes for authentic Irish flavor
🎼 FREE THE PEOPLE – Guitar Arrangement
Key: G Major
Time: 3/4
Tempo: ~114 BPM
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Waltz Feel)
Think “ONE – two – three, ONE – two – three” — flowing, steady, not rushed.
🎵 Basic Pattern
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
1 2& 3&
Beat 1: Downstroke on bass strings (root note)
Beats 2 & 3: Soft down-up on mids/highs
Let it sway, not bounce — the mood is serious but hopeful.
🎵 Optional Folk Variation
↓ (x)↑ ↓ ↓↑
1 2& 3 4&
→ Light palm mute or “chuck” on beat 2 for rhythmic texture.
Bass alternation (for richness):
G → 6th → 4th string
C → 5th → 4th string
D → 4th → 3rd string
Em → 6th → 4th string
A → 5th → 4th string
🎵 Fingerpicking Pattern (for All Verses)
We’ll use a folk arpeggio that suits every chord change:
p–i–m = Thumb–Index–Middle
(bass → G string → B string)
Each measure of 3/4 = one gentle rolling arpeggio.
Universal 3/4 Picking Tab
G Major
e|--------3-------------3---------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-----|
D|--0-----------0-----------------|
A|----------------2----------------|
E|-3-------------------------------|
C Major / Cadd9
e|--------0-------------0---------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2-----------------|
A|3-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
D / Dsus4 / Dsus2
e|--------2-------------3---------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-------|
G|----2-------2-----0-------0-----|
D|--0-----------0-----------------|
A|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
(Switch to 3 on top string for Dsus4, 0 for Dsus2.)
Em / Em7
e|--------0-------------0---------|
B|------0---0---------3---3-------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2-----------------|
A|2-------------------------------|
E|0-------------------------------|
A / A7 / Asus4
e|--------0-------------0---------|
B|------2---2---------3---3-------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2-----|
D|--2-----------2-----------------|
A|0-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
🎶 How to Apply to the Song
Use the following texture pattern through each section:
Section Playing Style
Verse 1 (intro lines: “Free the people...”) Gentle fingerpicking
Verse 2 (builds with “Let them have their say...”) Add light strumming
Chorus or refrain (“We shall overcome...”) Slightly stronger strum
Ending Return to fingerpicking, fade softly
🌿 Performance Tips
Tempo: 114 BPM — moderate waltz; don’t rush the 3-count.
Tone: Use warm, open chords and let them ring.
Dynamics:
Start quietly, build toward “We shall overcome,” then back down.
Ornaments:
Hammer-on from 0→2 on G string (D or G chord).
Hammer-on 0→2 on A string (C chord).
Adds Irish ornamentation subtly.
Ending suggestion: Hold the final G chord, arpeggiate slowly, and let ring.
Time Signature: 3/4
Tempo: 114 BPM (moderate waltz)
Let’s add:
✅ A folk-style strumming pattern for 3/4 timing
✅ A fingerpicking guitar tab that fits all verses
✅ A few performance notes for authentic Irish flavor
🎼 FREE THE PEOPLE – Guitar Arrangement
Key: G Major
Time: 3/4
Tempo: ~114 BPM
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Waltz Feel)
Think “ONE – two – three, ONE – two – three” — flowing, steady, not rushed.
🎵 Basic Pattern
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
1 2& 3&
Beat 1: Downstroke on bass strings (root note)
Beats 2 & 3: Soft down-up on mids/highs
Let it sway, not bounce — the mood is serious but hopeful.
🎵 Optional Folk Variation
↓ (x)↑ ↓ ↓↑
1 2& 3 4&
→ Light palm mute or “chuck” on beat 2 for rhythmic texture.
Bass alternation (for richness):
G → 6th → 4th string
C → 5th → 4th string
D → 4th → 3rd string
Em → 6th → 4th string
A → 5th → 4th string
🎵 Fingerpicking Pattern (for All Verses)
We’ll use a folk arpeggio that suits every chord change:
p–i–m = Thumb–Index–Middle
(bass → G string → B string)
Each measure of 3/4 = one gentle rolling arpeggio.
Universal 3/4 Picking Tab
G Major
e|--------3-------------3---------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-----|
D|--0-----------0-----------------|
A|----------------2----------------|
E|-3-------------------------------|
C Major / Cadd9
e|--------0-------------0---------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2-----------------|
A|3-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
D / Dsus4 / Dsus2
e|--------2-------------3---------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-------|
G|----2-------2-----0-------0-----|
D|--0-----------0-----------------|
A|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
(Switch to 3 on top string for Dsus4, 0 for Dsus2.)
Em / Em7
e|--------0-------------0---------|
B|------0---0---------3---3-------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2-----------------|
A|2-------------------------------|
E|0-------------------------------|
A / A7 / Asus4
e|--------0-------------0---------|
B|------2---2---------3---3-------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2-----|
D|--2-----------2-----------------|
A|0-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
🎶 How to Apply to the Song
Use the following texture pattern through each section:
Section Playing Style
Verse 1 (intro lines: “Free the people...”) Gentle fingerpicking
Verse 2 (builds with “Let them have their say...”) Add light strumming
Chorus or refrain (“We shall overcome...”) Slightly stronger strum
Ending Return to fingerpicking, fade softly
🌿 Performance Tips
Tempo: 114 BPM — moderate waltz; don’t rush the 3-count.
Tone: Use warm, open chords and let them ring.
Dynamics:
Start quietly, build toward “We shall overcome,” then back down.
Ornaments:
Hammer-on from 0→2 on G string (D or G chord).
Hammer-on 0→2 on A string (C chord).
Adds Irish ornamentation subtly.
Ending suggestion: Hold the final G chord, arpeggiate slowly, and let ring.
Tin Whistle Notes For Free The People Are In The Rebel Songs Ebook Here .
These are the guitar chords as played by The Dubliners.
[Bb]Laws were made for people
And the law can never [Gm]scorn
The [C]right of a [F]man to be free
[Chorus]
Free[Bb] the[F] peo[Dm]ple ,[Bb] let them [C]have their[F] say
[Bb]Free the[F] peop[Dm]le[Bb] let them[C] see the light of [F]day[Bb][F][Bb]
The[F] dismal dawn was breaking
When they[Bb] took her man away
Not[Gm] knowing what was his[C] crime
Just[F] what was he guilty of
Not[Bb] one of them could say
But[C] they'll think of something in[F] time
He[Bb] says goodbye and re[Am]members
[Bb]We shall over[C]come
Free[Bb] the[F] peo[Dm]ple ,[Bb] let them [C]have their[F] say
[Bb]Free the[F] peop[Dm]le[Bb] let them[C] see the light of [F]day[Bb][F][Bb]
[F]Comforting her children
Softly [Bb]crying in the night
She [Gm]tried very hard to ex[C]plane
You [F]know your daddy never did a [Bb]thing
That wasn't right
So [Gm]soon he's bound to [C]be home a[F]gain
[Bb]He is a [Am]good man
And [Bb]we shall [Gm]over[C]come
What [F]does it profit him
The [Bb]right to be born
If he [Gm]suffers the loss of liberty
[C]Law's were made for people
And [F]the law can never scorn
[Bb]The right of a man to be free[Gm]
[C]We are the people
And we [F]shall overcome
[Bb]We are the [Am]people
And [Bb]we shall over[C]come
[Bb]Laws were made for people
And the law can never [Gm]scorn
The [C]right of a [F]man to be free
[Chorus]
Free[Bb] the[F] peo[Dm]ple ,[Bb] let them [C]have their[F] say
[Bb]Free the[F] peop[Dm]le[Bb] let them[C] see the light of [F]day[Bb][F][Bb]
The[F] dismal dawn was breaking
When they[Bb] took her man away
Not[Gm] knowing what was his[C] crime
Just[F] what was he guilty of
Not[Bb] one of them could say
But[C] they'll think of something in[F] time
He[Bb] says goodbye and re[Am]members
[Bb]We shall over[C]come
Free[Bb] the[F] peo[Dm]ple ,[Bb] let them [C]have their[F] say
[Bb]Free the[F] peop[Dm]le[Bb] let them[C] see the light of [F]day[Bb][F][Bb]
[F]Comforting her children
Softly [Bb]crying in the night
She [Gm]tried very hard to ex[C]plane
You [F]know your daddy never did a [Bb]thing
That wasn't right
So [Gm]soon he's bound to [C]be home a[F]gain
[Bb]He is a [Am]good man
And [Bb]we shall [Gm]over[C]come
What [F]does it profit him
The [Bb]right to be born
If he [Gm]suffers the loss of liberty
[C]Law's were made for people
And [F]the law can never scorn
[Bb]The right of a man to be free[Gm]
[C]We are the people
And we [F]shall overcome
[Bb]We are the [Am]people
And [Bb]we shall over[C]come
