I Will Go Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords
A Traditional Scottish song recorded by The McCalmans and The Corries. The youtube video is of Stephen Quigg who used to play with The McCalmans. The ukulele chords are included. This song was translated from Scottish Gaelic to English. The second version [On The Right] was made into an Irish version by Marc Fahrbach by replacing a few words. The sheet music is included.
Chorus
I will [G]go, I will go
When the [C]fighting is [Am]over
Tae the [G]land o' MacLeod
Which I [C]left to be a [Am]soldier
I will [G]go, I will go
The [G]King's son came along
And [C]gathered us to[Am]gether
Sayin', [G]Brave Highland men
Will you [C]fight for my [Am]father?
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
I've a [G]buckle on my belt
A [C]sword in my [Am]scabbard
A [G]red coat on my back
And a [C]shillin' in my [Am]pocket
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When they [G]brought us all on board
The [C]lasses were [Am]singin'
But the [G]tears came to their eyes
When the [C]bells started [Am]ringin'
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When we [G]landed on the shore
And [C]saw the foreign [Am]heather
We [G]knew that some would fall
And would [C]lie there for[Am]ever
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When we [G]came back to the glen
The [C]winter was [Am]coming
Our [G]goods lay in the snow
And our [C]houses were [Am]burnin'
I will [G]go... I will go
Chorus
I will [G]go, I will go
When the [C]fighting is [Am]over
Tae the [G]land o' MacLeod
Which I [C]left to be a [Am]soldier
I will [G]go, I will go
The [G]King's son came along
And [C]gathered us to[Am]gether
Sayin', [G]Brave Highland men
Will you [C]fight for my [Am]father?
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
I've a [G]buckle on my belt
A [C]sword in my [Am]scabbard
A [G]red coat on my back
And a [C]shillin' in my [Am]pocket
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When they [G]brought us all on board
The [C]lasses were [Am]singin'
But the [G]tears came to their eyes
When the [C]bells started [Am]ringin'
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When we [G]landed on the shore
And [C]saw the foreign [Am]heather
We [G]knew that some would fall
And would [C]lie there for[Am]ever
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When we [G]came back to the glen
The [C]winter was [Am]coming
Our [G]goods lay in the snow
And our [C]houses were [Am]burnin'
I will [G]go... I will go
Chorus
🎵 I Will Go
Key: G Major
Tempo: ~95 bpm
Time: 4/4 (steady march feel)
Mood: Brave and reflective
🎸 STRUMMING PATTERN
For a confident folk march, use this driving rhythm:
👉 ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
(count: 1 2-and 3-and 4-and)
Or for a simpler “walking” feel:
👉 Bass ↓ (Down–Up) ↓ (Down–Up)
🎧 Tips:
Play with a strong downbeat (beat 1) to emphasize the marching pulse.
Let the chords ring — this is a song of movement, not speed.
You can slap the strings lightly on beat 3 for a percussive “march stomp.”
🎶 CHORDS (Verse + Chorus)
Verse
I will [G]go, I will go
When the [C]fighting is [Am]over
Tae the [G]land o' MacLeod
Which I [C]left to be a [Am]soldier
I will [G]go, I will go
The [G]King's son came along
And [C]gathered us to[Am]gether
Sayin', [G]"Brave Highland men,
Will you [C]fight for my [Am]father?"
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
I've a [G]buckle on my belt,
A [C]sword in my [Am]scabbard,
A [G]red coat on my back,
And a [C]shillin' in my [Am]pocket,
I will [G]go, I will go.
🪕 FINGERPICKING TAB (Verse + Chorus)
This song fits a steady Travis-picking or alternating bass pattern perfectly.
Right-hand pattern:
T I M I T I M I
(Thumb–Index–Middle–Index repeating)
T (thumb): Bass notes (E/A/D)
I (index): G string
M (middle): B string
Keep the thumb steady — it drives the march rhythm.
🎸 TAB – Verse 1
[G]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
E|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
I will go, I will go when the fighting is over...
[C]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
Tae the land o’ MacLeod which I left to be a soldier...
[Am]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
I will go, I will go...
🎸 TAB – Chorus
[G]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
E|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
I've a buckle on my belt...
[C]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A sword in my scabbard...
[Am]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A red coat on my back and a shillin’ in my pocket...
[G]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
E|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
I will go, I will go.
✅ Performance Tips
Keep the thumb pulse steady — this drives the “march” of the song.
Let open strings ring for a full, bright tone.
Add dynamics: play the verse softly and dig in on the chorus.
Optional: lightly tap the guitar top on beats 2 & 4 for a drum-like feel.
Key: G Major
Tempo: ~95 bpm
Time: 4/4 (steady march feel)
Mood: Brave and reflective
🎸 STRUMMING PATTERN
For a confident folk march, use this driving rhythm:
👉 ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
(count: 1 2-and 3-and 4-and)
Or for a simpler “walking” feel:
👉 Bass ↓ (Down–Up) ↓ (Down–Up)
🎧 Tips:
Play with a strong downbeat (beat 1) to emphasize the marching pulse.
Let the chords ring — this is a song of movement, not speed.
You can slap the strings lightly on beat 3 for a percussive “march stomp.”
🎶 CHORDS (Verse + Chorus)
Verse
I will [G]go, I will go
When the [C]fighting is [Am]over
Tae the [G]land o' MacLeod
Which I [C]left to be a [Am]soldier
I will [G]go, I will go
The [G]King's son came along
And [C]gathered us to[Am]gether
Sayin', [G]"Brave Highland men,
Will you [C]fight for my [Am]father?"
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
I've a [G]buckle on my belt,
A [C]sword in my [Am]scabbard,
A [G]red coat on my back,
And a [C]shillin' in my [Am]pocket,
I will [G]go, I will go.
🪕 FINGERPICKING TAB (Verse + Chorus)
This song fits a steady Travis-picking or alternating bass pattern perfectly.
Right-hand pattern:
T I M I T I M I
(Thumb–Index–Middle–Index repeating)
T (thumb): Bass notes (E/A/D)
I (index): G string
M (middle): B string
Keep the thumb steady — it drives the march rhythm.
🎸 TAB – Verse 1
[G]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
E|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
I will go, I will go when the fighting is over...
[C]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
Tae the land o’ MacLeod which I left to be a soldier...
[Am]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
I will go, I will go...
🎸 TAB – Chorus
[G]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
E|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
I've a buckle on my belt...
[C]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A sword in my scabbard...
[Am]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|------1---------|
G|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|----2---2-------|
D|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
A|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|0---------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A red coat on my back and a shillin’ in my pocket...
[G]
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|------0---------|
G|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|----0---0-------|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|--2-------2-----|
E|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|3---------------|
I will go, I will go.
✅ Performance Tips
Keep the thumb pulse steady — this drives the “march” of the song.
Let open strings ring for a full, bright tone.
Add dynamics: play the verse softly and dig in on the chorus.
Optional: lightly tap the guitar top on beats 2 & 4 for a drum-like feel.
I WILL GO (Proposed Irish Version)
Chorus
I will [G]go, I will go
When the [C]fighting is [Am]over
Tae the [G]land of the Gael
Which I [C]left to be a [Am]soldier
I will [G]go, I will go
The [G]King's Sergeant came along
And [C]gathered us to[Am]gether
Sayin', [G]Brave Irishmen
Will you [C]fight for your [Am]sovereign?
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
I've a [G]buckle on my belt
A [C]sword in my [Am]scabbard
A [G]red coat on my back
And a [C]shillin' in my [Am]pocket
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When they [G]brought us all on board
The [C]lasses were [Am]singin'
But the [G]tears came to their eyes
When the [C]bells started [Am]ringin'
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When we [G]landed on the shore
And [C]saw the foreign [Am]heather
We [G]knew that some would fall
And would [C]lie there for[Am]ever
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When we [G]came back to our land
The [C]winter was [Am]coming
Our [G]crop lay in the mud
And our [C]houses were [Am]burnin'
I will [G]go... I will go
Chorus
Chorus
I will [G]go, I will go
When the [C]fighting is [Am]over
Tae the [G]land of the Gael
Which I [C]left to be a [Am]soldier
I will [G]go, I will go
The [G]King's Sergeant came along
And [C]gathered us to[Am]gether
Sayin', [G]Brave Irishmen
Will you [C]fight for your [Am]sovereign?
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
I've a [G]buckle on my belt
A [C]sword in my [Am]scabbard
A [G]red coat on my back
And a [C]shillin' in my [Am]pocket
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When they [G]brought us all on board
The [C]lasses were [Am]singin'
But the [G]tears came to their eyes
When the [C]bells started [Am]ringin'
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When we [G]landed on the shore
And [C]saw the foreign [Am]heather
We [G]knew that some would fall
And would [C]lie there for[Am]ever
I will [G]go, I will go
Chorus
When we [G]came back to our land
The [C]winter was [Am]coming
Our [G]crop lay in the mud
And our [C]houses were [Am]burnin'
I will [G]go... I will go
Chorus
I Will Go Sheet Music With Letter Notes
I will go sheet music notes in the key of D Major in Solfege [ Do re mi format ]
The Corries ''I Will Go Song''
