Ireland Boys Hurrah Lyrics Guitar Chords
Written by T.D. O'Sullivan. in 1857 , also sometimes called 'Deep In The Canadian Woods'. The guitar chords in chordpro are in G. Recorded by The Irish Rovers , Dermot O'Brien who recorded The Galway Shawl song and is renowned for his accordion playing. Also by The Wolfe Tones and The Abbey Tavern Singers. Go to The Irish Rovers Songs for more old ballads.
Lyrics And Chords In G Major
Deep [G] in Canadian woods we've met, from [D] one bright island [G] flown,
Great is the land we tread, but yet our [D] hearts are with our [G] own.
And [D] here we leave this [C] shanty small, while [G] fades the autumn [D] day,
We'll [G] toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland, [D] Ireland boys, [G] hurrah!
[chorus]
[D] Ireland boys hurrah! [G] Ireland boys hurrah!
We'll [G] toast old Ireland, dear old [D] Ireland, Ireland boys [G] hurrah!
We've heard her faults a hundred times, the new ones and the old.
In songs and sermons, rants and rhymes, enlarged some fifty-fold.
But take them all, the great and small, and this we've got to say,
"Here's dear old Ireland! Good old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!"
We know that brave and good men tried, to snap her rusty chain.
The patriots suffered, martyrs died, and all, 'tis in vain,
But no, boys, no! A glance will show how far they've won their way -
Here's good old Ireland! Loved old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!
We've seen the wedding and the wake, the patron and the fair;
And lithe young frames at the dear old games in the kindly Irish air.
And the loud, 'Hurroo', we have heard it too, and a thundering, "Clear the way!"
Here's gay old Ireland! Dear old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!
And well we know in cool grey eyes, when the hard day's work is o'er,
How soft and sweet are the words that greet the friends who meet once more,
With, "Mary Machree" and "My Pat, 'tis he!" and "My own heart night and day,"
Ah, fond old Ireland! Dear old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!
And happy and bright are the groups that pass, from their peaceful homes for miles
O'er fields and roads and hills to Mass, when Sunday morning smiles!
And deep in the zeal their true hearts feel, when low they kneel and pray,
Oh dear old Ireland! Blest old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!
But deep in Canadian woods, we've met and we never may see again
The dear old isle where our hearts are set, and our first fond hopes remain!
But come, fill up another cup, and with every sup let's say,
"Here's loved old Ireland! Good old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!"
Deep [G] in Canadian woods we've met, from [D] one bright island [G] flown,
Great is the land we tread, but yet our [D] hearts are with our [G] own.
And [D] here we leave this [C] shanty small, while [G] fades the autumn [D] day,
We'll [G] toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland, [D] Ireland boys, [G] hurrah!
[chorus]
[D] Ireland boys hurrah! [G] Ireland boys hurrah!
We'll [G] toast old Ireland, dear old [D] Ireland, Ireland boys [G] hurrah!
We've heard her faults a hundred times, the new ones and the old.
In songs and sermons, rants and rhymes, enlarged some fifty-fold.
But take them all, the great and small, and this we've got to say,
"Here's dear old Ireland! Good old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!"
We know that brave and good men tried, to snap her rusty chain.
The patriots suffered, martyrs died, and all, 'tis in vain,
But no, boys, no! A glance will show how far they've won their way -
Here's good old Ireland! Loved old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!
We've seen the wedding and the wake, the patron and the fair;
And lithe young frames at the dear old games in the kindly Irish air.
And the loud, 'Hurroo', we have heard it too, and a thundering, "Clear the way!"
Here's gay old Ireland! Dear old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!
And well we know in cool grey eyes, when the hard day's work is o'er,
How soft and sweet are the words that greet the friends who meet once more,
With, "Mary Machree" and "My Pat, 'tis he!" and "My own heart night and day,"
Ah, fond old Ireland! Dear old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!
And happy and bright are the groups that pass, from their peaceful homes for miles
O'er fields and roads and hills to Mass, when Sunday morning smiles!
And deep in the zeal their true hearts feel, when low they kneel and pray,
Oh dear old Ireland! Blest old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!
But deep in Canadian woods, we've met and we never may see again
The dear old isle where our hearts are set, and our first fond hopes remain!
But come, fill up another cup, and with every sup let's say,
"Here's loved old Ireland! Good old Ireland! Ireland boys, hurrah!"
🍀 Here’s the full “Ireland Boys, Hurrah!” arranged in G Major with chords for all verses and a lively strumming pattern that captures that hearty emigrant singalong energy — perfect for guitar or a small session group.
🎵 Ireland Boys, Hurrah!
Key: G Major
Tempo: Moderate march (≈ 90–100 bpm)
Time Signature: 4/4
Mood: Proud, nostalgic, singalong
🎸 Strumming Pattern
For a traditional folk/marching feel, use:
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
Count: 1 2-& &-3-&-4-&
Keep it steady and driving, with a light accent on beat 2 and 4 (like a marching song).
Alternatively, if you want it more “pub singalong,” you can use:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Either works — try both to match your style!
☘️ — a 2-bar intro melody makes “Ireland Boys, Hurrah!” sound authentic and immediately recognizable, just like a session tune starting up before the singing begins.
Here’s a simple, traditional-style intro line you can play on guitar (or whistle/fiddle/mandolin) that leads beautifully into the first verse.
☘️ — a 2-bar intro melody makes “Ireland Boys, Hurrah!” sound authentic and immediately recognizable, just like a session tune starting up before the singing begins.
Here’s a simple, traditional-style intro line you can play on guitar (or whistle/fiddle/mandolin) that leads beautifully into the first verse.
🎵 Intro Melody (Lead-In to Verse 1)
Key: G Major
Tempo: Moderate March (≈ 90–100 bpm)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Chords to play underneath:
| G | D | G | D G |
🎶 Melody (standard notation / tab)
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Play light and bright — this feels like a marching “call.”
e|-----------------|--------------------|
B|--0--0--0-2--3---|--3--2--0-----------|
G|-----------------|--------2--0--------|
D|-----------------|-------------0--2-4-|
A|--2--0-----------|--------------------|
E|--------3--------|--------------------|
(Last note G rings right before you sing “Deep in Canadian woods we’ve met…”)
🎶 How it fits rhythmically
The first bar sets up the rhythm (like a quick march).
The last two notes (“G” on 6th string, “D” on 4th string) cue the singer.
Start singing on beat 1 of the next bar as you switch to the first G chord.
🎸 Strumming under the melody
You can lightly play:
Down – Down-Up – (pause) – Down-Up
Keep the volume low so the melody shines through, then increase energy as the singing begins.
🎵 Outro (optional matching ending)
To close the song nicely, repeat this 2-bar phrase after the final “hurrah!” — but let the last G note ring out instead of leading into another verse.
e|-----------------|--------------------|
B|--0--0--0-2--3---|--3--2--0-----------|
G|-----------------|--------2--0--------|
D|-----------------|-------------0--2-0-|
A|--2--0-----------|--------------------|
E|--------3--------|--------------------|
Let that final low G resonate as your closing note. 🎶
🎶 Lyrics with Chords
Verse 1
Deep [G]in Canadian woods we've met, from [D]one bright island [G]flown,
Great is the land we tread, but yet our [D]hearts are with our [G]own.
And [D]here we leave this [C]shanty small, while [G]fades the autumn [D]day,
We'll [G]toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland, [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!
Chorus
[D]Ireland boys, hurrah! [G]Ireland boys, hurrah!
We'll [G]toast old Ireland, dear old [D]Ireland, Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!
Verse 2
We've [G]heard her faults a hundred times, the [D]new ones and the [G]old.
In songs and sermons, rants and rhymes, en[D]larged some fifty-[G]fold.
But [D]take them all, the [C]great and small, and [G]this we've got to [D]say,
"Here's [G]dear old Ireland! Good old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 3
We [G]know that brave and good men tried, to [D]snap her rusty [G]chain.
The patriots suffered, martyrs died, and [D]all, ‘twas said, in [G]vain.
But [D]no, boys, no! A [C]glance will show how [G]far they've won their [D]way -
Here's [G]good old Ireland! Loved old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 4
We've [G]seen the wedding and the wake, the [D]patron and the [G]fair;
And lithe young frames at the dear old games in [D]the kindly Irish [G]air.
And the [D]loud, “Hurroo,” we’ve [C]heard it too, and [G]thundering, “Clear the [D]way!”
Here's [G]gay old Ireland! Dear old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 5
And [G]well we know in cool grey eyes, when [D]the hard day's work is [G]o'er,
How soft and sweet are the words that greet the [D]friends who meet once [G]more,
With, [D]"Mary Machree" and [C]"My Pat, 'tis he!" and [G]"My own heart, night and [D]day,"
Ah, [G]fond old Ireland! Dear old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 6
And [G]happy and bright are the groups that pass, from [D]their peaceful homes for [G]miles
O’er fields and roads and hills to Mass, when [D]Sunday morning [G]smiles!
And [D]deep in the zeal their [C]true hearts feel, when [G]low they kneel and [D]pray,
Oh [G]dear old Ireland! Blest old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 7 (Final)
But [G]deep in Canadian woods, we've met and [D]we never may see a[G]gain
The dear old isle where our hearts are set, and [D]our first fond hopes re[G]main!
But [D]come, fill up another [C]cup, and with [G]every sup let's [D]say,
"Here's [G]loved old Ireland! Good old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Final Chorus (repeat twice for big finish)
[D]Ireland boys, hurrah! [G]Ireland boys, hurrah!
We'll [G]toast old Ireland, dear old [D]Ireland, Ireland boys, [G]hurrah! (x2)
🎸 Optional Intro & Outro Progression
Play before and after the song for a classic session-style flow:
| G | C | D | G |
| G | D | G | G |
Strum softly at first, then build energy going into the first verse.
☘️ Performance Tips
Verses: Medium volume, steady strumming.
Chorus: Louder, add vocal harmonies if possible.
Last Chorus: Big finish — everyone singing “hurrah!” together, then slow the final “Ireland boys, hurrah!” for dramatic effect.
Outro: One final strong G chord (ring it out).
🎵 Ireland Boys, Hurrah!
Key: G Major
Tempo: Moderate march (≈ 90–100 bpm)
Time Signature: 4/4
Mood: Proud, nostalgic, singalong
🎸 Strumming Pattern
For a traditional folk/marching feel, use:
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
Count: 1 2-& &-3-&-4-&
Keep it steady and driving, with a light accent on beat 2 and 4 (like a marching song).
Alternatively, if you want it more “pub singalong,” you can use:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Either works — try both to match your style!
☘️ — a 2-bar intro melody makes “Ireland Boys, Hurrah!” sound authentic and immediately recognizable, just like a session tune starting up before the singing begins.
Here’s a simple, traditional-style intro line you can play on guitar (or whistle/fiddle/mandolin) that leads beautifully into the first verse.
☘️ — a 2-bar intro melody makes “Ireland Boys, Hurrah!” sound authentic and immediately recognizable, just like a session tune starting up before the singing begins.
Here’s a simple, traditional-style intro line you can play on guitar (or whistle/fiddle/mandolin) that leads beautifully into the first verse.
🎵 Intro Melody (Lead-In to Verse 1)
Key: G Major
Tempo: Moderate March (≈ 90–100 bpm)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Chords to play underneath:
| G | D | G | D G |
🎶 Melody (standard notation / tab)
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Play light and bright — this feels like a marching “call.”
e|-----------------|--------------------|
B|--0--0--0-2--3---|--3--2--0-----------|
G|-----------------|--------2--0--------|
D|-----------------|-------------0--2-4-|
A|--2--0-----------|--------------------|
E|--------3--------|--------------------|
(Last note G rings right before you sing “Deep in Canadian woods we’ve met…”)
🎶 How it fits rhythmically
The first bar sets up the rhythm (like a quick march).
The last two notes (“G” on 6th string, “D” on 4th string) cue the singer.
Start singing on beat 1 of the next bar as you switch to the first G chord.
🎸 Strumming under the melody
You can lightly play:
Down – Down-Up – (pause) – Down-Up
Keep the volume low so the melody shines through, then increase energy as the singing begins.
🎵 Outro (optional matching ending)
To close the song nicely, repeat this 2-bar phrase after the final “hurrah!” — but let the last G note ring out instead of leading into another verse.
e|-----------------|--------------------|
B|--0--0--0-2--3---|--3--2--0-----------|
G|-----------------|--------2--0--------|
D|-----------------|-------------0--2-0-|
A|--2--0-----------|--------------------|
E|--------3--------|--------------------|
Let that final low G resonate as your closing note. 🎶
🎶 Lyrics with Chords
Verse 1
Deep [G]in Canadian woods we've met, from [D]one bright island [G]flown,
Great is the land we tread, but yet our [D]hearts are with our [G]own.
And [D]here we leave this [C]shanty small, while [G]fades the autumn [D]day,
We'll [G]toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland, [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!
Chorus
[D]Ireland boys, hurrah! [G]Ireland boys, hurrah!
We'll [G]toast old Ireland, dear old [D]Ireland, Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!
Verse 2
We've [G]heard her faults a hundred times, the [D]new ones and the [G]old.
In songs and sermons, rants and rhymes, en[D]larged some fifty-[G]fold.
But [D]take them all, the [C]great and small, and [G]this we've got to [D]say,
"Here's [G]dear old Ireland! Good old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 3
We [G]know that brave and good men tried, to [D]snap her rusty [G]chain.
The patriots suffered, martyrs died, and [D]all, ‘twas said, in [G]vain.
But [D]no, boys, no! A [C]glance will show how [G]far they've won their [D]way -
Here's [G]good old Ireland! Loved old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 4
We've [G]seen the wedding and the wake, the [D]patron and the [G]fair;
And lithe young frames at the dear old games in [D]the kindly Irish [G]air.
And the [D]loud, “Hurroo,” we’ve [C]heard it too, and [G]thundering, “Clear the [D]way!”
Here's [G]gay old Ireland! Dear old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 5
And [G]well we know in cool grey eyes, when [D]the hard day's work is [G]o'er,
How soft and sweet are the words that greet the [D]friends who meet once [G]more,
With, [D]"Mary Machree" and [C]"My Pat, 'tis he!" and [G]"My own heart, night and [D]day,"
Ah, [G]fond old Ireland! Dear old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 6
And [G]happy and bright are the groups that pass, from [D]their peaceful homes for [G]miles
O’er fields and roads and hills to Mass, when [D]Sunday morning [G]smiles!
And [D]deep in the zeal their [C]true hearts feel, when [G]low they kneel and [D]pray,
Oh [G]dear old Ireland! Blest old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Chorus
Verse 7 (Final)
But [G]deep in Canadian woods, we've met and [D]we never may see a[G]gain
The dear old isle where our hearts are set, and [D]our first fond hopes re[G]main!
But [D]come, fill up another [C]cup, and with [G]every sup let's [D]say,
"Here's [G]loved old Ireland! Good old Ireland! [D]Ireland boys, [G]hurrah!"
→ Final Chorus (repeat twice for big finish)
[D]Ireland boys, hurrah! [G]Ireland boys, hurrah!
We'll [G]toast old Ireland, dear old [D]Ireland, Ireland boys, [G]hurrah! (x2)
🎸 Optional Intro & Outro Progression
Play before and after the song for a classic session-style flow:
| G | C | D | G |
| G | D | G | G |
Strum softly at first, then build energy going into the first verse.
☘️ Performance Tips
Verses: Medium volume, steady strumming.
Chorus: Louder, add vocal harmonies if possible.
Last Chorus: Big finish — everyone singing “hurrah!” together, then slow the final “Ireland boys, hurrah!” for dramatic effect.
Outro: One final strong G chord (ring it out).
Ireland boys horrah lyrics
Here are the guitar chords for the version of the youtube video of The Irish Rovers.
This version is slightly different than the first version.
Ireland Boys Hurrah Words And Chords In G Major
Deep [G] in Canadian [Em]woods we've met, from [D] one bright island [G] flown,
Great is the land we [Em]tread, but yet our [D] hearts are with our [G] own.
And [Am] here we leave this [D] shanty small, while [G] fades the autumn [D] day,
We'll [G] toast old Ireland, [Em]dear old Ireland, [D] Ireland boys, [G] hurrah!
[chorus]
[Am] Ireland boys [D]hurrah! [G] Ireland boys hur[D]rah!
We'll [G] toast old Ireland, [Em]dear old [D] Ireland, Ireland boys [G] hurrah!
This version is slightly different than the first version.
Ireland Boys Hurrah Words And Chords In G Major
Deep [G] in Canadian [Em]woods we've met, from [D] one bright island [G] flown,
Great is the land we [Em]tread, but yet our [D] hearts are with our [G] own.
And [Am] here we leave this [D] shanty small, while [G] fades the autumn [D] day,
We'll [G] toast old Ireland, [Em]dear old Ireland, [D] Ireland boys, [G] hurrah!
[chorus]
[Am] Ireland boys [D]hurrah! [G] Ireland boys hur[D]rah!
We'll [G] toast old Ireland, [Em]dear old [D] Ireland, Ireland boys [G] hurrah!
Irish tricolour flag flying
