Goodbye Johnny Dear Lyrics And Chords
Words and music by Johnny Patterson. Recorded by Dan The Street Singer, Bridie Gallagher, Margo and Kate Purcell. Bridie sings it in the key of Bb. The sheet music tab /notes for tin whistle are included. The version of the guitar chords here is for Dan The Street Singer. Dan uses a key change near the end of the song, this is optional. Among the many other songs on the site A Mother's Love's A Blessing Song is one of the top by Bridie.
"Goodbye Johnny Dear" is a traditional Irish song that tells a heartfelt story of emigration and separation, a theme that resonates deeply with Ireland’s history of mass emigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Summary and ThemesThe song is centered around a poignant farewell between Johnny, the emigrant, and his loved ones, particularly his mother. It reflects the emotions tied to leaving home and the uncertainty of whether they will ever reunite.
Key Themes:
Lyrics Excerpt and Meaning"Goodbye Johnny dear, when you're far away,
Don't forget your dear old mother, far across the sea."
Cultural and Historical Significance
Performances and Recordings"Goodbye Johnny Dear" has been performed by numerous Irish folk singers and remains a staple at Irish music sessions. The song’s simple melody and deeply emotional lyrics ensure its lasting place in the canon of Irish emigration songs.
Summary and ThemesThe song is centered around a poignant farewell between Johnny, the emigrant, and his loved ones, particularly his mother. It reflects the emotions tied to leaving home and the uncertainty of whether they will ever reunite.
Key Themes:
- Emigration:
The central theme is the pain of leaving home, a reality faced by countless Irish families over generations. Many left for America, Canada, or Australia in search of a better life. - Mother’s Love:
A significant focus of the song is the sorrow and longing of the mother left behind, highlighting the deep bond between mother and child. - Hope and Uncertainty:
While farewells often carried hope for a reunion, there was also the underlying fear that they may never meet again.
Lyrics Excerpt and Meaning"Goodbye Johnny dear, when you're far away,
Don't forget your dear old mother, far across the sea."
- The mother’s plea is for Johnny to remember her and his homeland as he embarks on a new life.
- The imagery of the "sea" emphasizes the vast physical and emotional distance caused by emigration.
Cultural and Historical Significance
- Historical Context:
Mass emigration was a defining part of Irish history, particularly during the Great Famine (1845–1852) and the subsequent economic hardships. Songs like "Goodbye Johnny Dear" became a means to express collective grief and resilience. - Emotional Resonance:
The song remains beloved in Irish folk circles for its emotional authenticity and connection to a shared cultural experience of loss, love, and longing.
Performances and Recordings"Goodbye Johnny Dear" has been performed by numerous Irish folk singers and remains a staple at Irish music sessions. The song’s simple melody and deeply emotional lyrics ensure its lasting place in the canon of Irish emigration songs.
[C]Just twenty years ago today, I held my [G]mother's [C]hand,
As she [F]kissed and blessed her [C]only [Am]son, going [D]to a foreign land[G]
The [C]neighbours took me from her breast and told her I [G]must [C]go,
And [F]then I hear my [C]mother's say in [F]tones so sweet and [C]low
[C]Goodbye, Johnny dear, when you're far away,
[F]Don't forget your [Am]dear old mother [D]far across the sea[G]
[C]Write a letter now and then and send her all you can,
And [F]don't forget where [C]e'er you roam that [C#]you're an Irish[C]man.
[C]I sailed away from Queenstown, that is the Cove of Cork,
A [F]pleasant voyage we [C]surly [Am]had and [D]landed in New York[G]
My [C]friends came to meet me there and work I [G]got next [C]day,
But [F]still I thought that [C]I could hear my [C#]mother's sweet voice [C]say.
[C]Goodbye, Johnny dear, when you're far away,
[F]Don't forget your [Am]dear old mother [D]far across the sea[G]
[C]Write a letter now and then and send her all you can,
And [F]don't forget where [C]e'er you roam that [C#]you're an Irish[C]man. [ F] [C] [F] [C]
Key change for last verse is optional
One [C#]day a letter came to me, it came from Ireland,
The [F#]postmark showed it [Bbm]came from home, it was [Eb]not my mother's hand[Ab]
'Twas [C#]father John who had wrote to say that she [Ab]had passed a[C#]way,
And [F#]then just as if from [C#]Heaven above I could[F#] hear my mother [C#]say.
[C#]Goodbye, Johnny dear, when you're far away,
[F#]Don't forget your [C#]dear old [Bbm]mother [Eb]far across the sea[Ab]
[C#]Write a letter now and then and send her all you can,
And [F#]don't forget where [C#]e'er you roam that [D]you're an Irish[C#]
As she [F]kissed and blessed her [C]only [Am]son, going [D]to a foreign land[G]
The [C]neighbours took me from her breast and told her I [G]must [C]go,
And [F]then I hear my [C]mother's say in [F]tones so sweet and [C]low
[C]Goodbye, Johnny dear, when you're far away,
[F]Don't forget your [Am]dear old mother [D]far across the sea[G]
[C]Write a letter now and then and send her all you can,
And [F]don't forget where [C]e'er you roam that [C#]you're an Irish[C]man.
[C]I sailed away from Queenstown, that is the Cove of Cork,
A [F]pleasant voyage we [C]surly [Am]had and [D]landed in New York[G]
My [C]friends came to meet me there and work I [G]got next [C]day,
But [F]still I thought that [C]I could hear my [C#]mother's sweet voice [C]say.
[C]Goodbye, Johnny dear, when you're far away,
[F]Don't forget your [Am]dear old mother [D]far across the sea[G]
[C]Write a letter now and then and send her all you can,
And [F]don't forget where [C]e'er you roam that [C#]you're an Irish[C]man. [ F] [C] [F] [C]
Key change for last verse is optional
One [C#]day a letter came to me, it came from Ireland,
The [F#]postmark showed it [Bbm]came from home, it was [Eb]not my mother's hand[Ab]
'Twas [C#]father John who had wrote to say that she [Ab]had passed a[C#]way,
And [F#]then just as if from [C#]Heaven above I could[F#] hear my mother [C#]say.
[C#]Goodbye, Johnny dear, when you're far away,
[F#]Don't forget your [C#]dear old [Bbm]mother [Eb]far across the sea[Ab]
[C#]Write a letter now and then and send her all you can,
And [F#]don't forget where [C#]e'er you roam that [D]you're an Irish[C#]
Here are the chords in the key of G in case the other version doesn't suit.
[G]Just twenty years ago today, I held my [D]mother's [G]hand,
As she [C]kissed and blessed her [G]only [Em]son, going [A]to a foreign land[D]
The [G]neighbours took me from her breast and told her I [D]must [G]go,
And [C]then I hear my [G]mother's say in [C]tones so sweet and [G]low
[G]Goodbye, Johnny dear, when you're far away,
[C]Don't forget your [Em]dear old mother [A]far across the sea[D]
[G]Write a letter now and then and send her all you can,
And [C]don't forget where [G]e'er you roam that [G#]you're an Irish[G]man.
Margo song Goodbye Johnny Dear
