God Bless This Lovely Land Of Mine Lyrics And Chords
Written by Joseph Denieffe [1833-1910] from The Irish Republican Brotherhood Of America Recorded by Eire Og / Gary Og and the video is Rebel Hearts from Tipperary. Gary Og also covered a lot of the old Irish ballads including Go On Home British Soldiers Song .
God bless this lovely land of mine,
God bless the mountains the hills and the valleys
Some day the sun will cease to shine,
And I'll desert this lovely land of mine.
This lovely land," the old man said,
Will be alive when we are dead."
My fathers words still haunt my mind,
It's God bless this lovely land of mine.
Through misty eyes, I see my land
I hunger for her future grand
What greater hunger can there be
I hunger still, to see her free
My gallant comrades have passed away,
But with this song I sing today,
I sing my song before I die,
It's God bless this lovely land of mine
God bless the mountains the hills and the valleys
Some day the sun will cease to shine,
And I'll desert this lovely land of mine.
This lovely land," the old man said,
Will be alive when we are dead."
My fathers words still haunt my mind,
It's God bless this lovely land of mine.
Through misty eyes, I see my land
I hunger for her future grand
What greater hunger can there be
I hunger still, to see her free
My gallant comrades have passed away,
But with this song I sing today,
I sing my song before I die,
It's God bless this lovely land of mine
The Guitar Chords
[D] God bless this lovely land of mine,
[A] God bless the mountains the [G] hills and the[D]valleys
Some day the sun will cease to [Em] shine,
And I'll [A] desert this [G] lovely land of [D] mine.
This lovely [D] land," the old man [Em] said,
Will be [A] alive when we are [D] dead."
My fathers words still haunt my [Em] mind,
It's [A] God bless this [A7] lovely land of [D] mine.
Irish Songs From G-J
[D] God bless this lovely land of mine,
[A] God bless the mountains the [G] hills and the[D]valleys
Some day the sun will cease to [Em] shine,
And I'll [A] desert this [G] lovely land of [D] mine.
This lovely [D] land," the old man [Em] said,
Will be [A] alive when we are [D] dead."
My fathers words still haunt my [Em] mind,
It's [A] God bless this [A7] lovely land of [D] mine.
Irish Songs From G-J
Gary Og Song God Bless This Lovely Land Of Mine
Lyrical & thematic strength
Right from its opening lines — “God bless this lovely land of mine / God bless the mountains the hills and the valleys” — the song taps into a deep well of patriotic love, nostalgia, and longing.
The imagery is simple yet evocative: the hills, mountains and valleys become more than scenery — they are infused with identity, memory and hope.
There’s also a bittersweet shade: “Some day the sun will cease to shine / And I’ll desert this lovely land of mine”.
This line hints at exile, departure or the fragility of belonging, which gives the song emotional depth beyond mere praise of country.
Musical and performance qualities
Musically, the song is accessible yet poignant. The chord progression (D–A–G etc) allows for a warm accompaniment on guitar or fiddle, making it suitable for both solo performance and group singing. On the site Irish-Folk-Songs.com you’ll find the chords laid out for guitar, making it practical for emerging folk musicians.
Irish folk songs
In performance, the song benefits from a restrained delivery — its strength lies in the sincerity of voice, rather than flashy ornamentation. Singers such as Shea Doolin (who recorded it in 2022) bring a modern clarity to the piece while still retaining its traditional soul.
Cultural context and significance
Written in a period when expressions of Irish identity, emigration and homeland were deeply felt, this song stands alongside many folk-ballads that give voice to longing and pride. It is less about militant nationalism and more about personal connection — the land as a beloved, living entity.
Because the song is less widely known than some major classics, it occupies a somewhat special niche: one of quietly conveyed patriotism, inviting performers and audiences to reflect rather than rally.
Why it’s worth learning
For singers: The lyrical phrasing allows for emotive storytelling without demanding extreme vocal acrobatics — ideal for folk gatherings or intimate sessions.
For instrumentalists: The structure works beautifully with simple chords, making it approachable for guitar, keyboard or accordion.
For folk enthusiasts: It enriches any setlist with a song that balances love for the land with introspective tenderness, adding depth beyond the upbeat reel or jig.
For educators or community choirs: The message is inclusive and heartfelt, making it a strong piece for teaching about Irish musical heritage, diaspora themes and connection to place.
Right from its opening lines — “God bless this lovely land of mine / God bless the mountains the hills and the valleys” — the song taps into a deep well of patriotic love, nostalgia, and longing.
The imagery is simple yet evocative: the hills, mountains and valleys become more than scenery — they are infused with identity, memory and hope.
There’s also a bittersweet shade: “Some day the sun will cease to shine / And I’ll desert this lovely land of mine”.
This line hints at exile, departure or the fragility of belonging, which gives the song emotional depth beyond mere praise of country.
Musical and performance qualities
Musically, the song is accessible yet poignant. The chord progression (D–A–G etc) allows for a warm accompaniment on guitar or fiddle, making it suitable for both solo performance and group singing. On the site Irish-Folk-Songs.com you’ll find the chords laid out for guitar, making it practical for emerging folk musicians.
Irish folk songs
In performance, the song benefits from a restrained delivery — its strength lies in the sincerity of voice, rather than flashy ornamentation. Singers such as Shea Doolin (who recorded it in 2022) bring a modern clarity to the piece while still retaining its traditional soul.
Cultural context and significance
Written in a period when expressions of Irish identity, emigration and homeland were deeply felt, this song stands alongside many folk-ballads that give voice to longing and pride. It is less about militant nationalism and more about personal connection — the land as a beloved, living entity.
Because the song is less widely known than some major classics, it occupies a somewhat special niche: one of quietly conveyed patriotism, inviting performers and audiences to reflect rather than rally.
Why it’s worth learning
For singers: The lyrical phrasing allows for emotive storytelling without demanding extreme vocal acrobatics — ideal for folk gatherings or intimate sessions.
For instrumentalists: The structure works beautifully with simple chords, making it approachable for guitar, keyboard or accordion.
For folk enthusiasts: It enriches any setlist with a song that balances love for the land with introspective tenderness, adding depth beyond the upbeat reel or jig.
For educators or community choirs: The message is inclusive and heartfelt, making it a strong piece for teaching about Irish musical heritage, diaspora themes and connection to place.
