Joe McDonnell Lyrics Guitar Chords
The Tin Whistle Sheet Music Notes are included as are the five string banjo chords. The Wolfe Tones, Written By Brian Warfield, I think this is one of Brian's best pieces of work ever. It's also Tommy Byrne's favorite song to sing on stage.-A Classic. On Tuesday 5 May 1981 Bobby Sands died on the hunger strike after 66 days, Joe McDonnell took his place on Friday 8th May 1981 after 61 days, Joe McDonnell died. The mandolin, banjo tab is included along with the letter notes for recorder and flute. Also recorded by Eire Og, The Davitts, The Irish Brigade, and Athenrye. Joe McDonnell beginner piano notes now added. The youtube video is by Irish ballad group, back to the The Wolfe Tones Songs.
Joe McDonnell(Words & Music: Brian Warfield — The Wolfe Tones)
[Verse 1]
Oh [G]me name is Joe McDonnell, from [C]Belfast town I [G]came,
That [C]city I will [G]never see a [D]gain,
For [G]in the town of Belfast I spent [C]many happy [G]days,
I [C]love that town in [G]oh, so many [D]ways.
For it’s [Am]there I [C]spent my child[Am]hood and found for [C]me a [G]wife,
I then [Am]set [C]out to [G]make for me a [D]life,
But [G]all my young ambitions met with [C]bitterness and [G]hate,
I [C]soon found myself in [G]side a prison [D]gate.
[Chorus]
And you [Am]dare to [C]call me a terror[Am]ist while you [C]look down your [G]gun,
When I [Am]think of [C]all the [G]things that you have [D]done,
You have [G]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [C]terrorised my [Am]people, you ruled [C]with an iron [D]hand,
And you [G]brought this reign of [C]terror to my [D]land.
[Verse 2]
Through those [G]many months internment in the [C]Maidstone and the [G]Maze,
I [C]thought about my [G]land through all those [D]days,
Why my [G]country was divided, why I [C]was now in [G]jail,
Im[C]prisoned without [G]crime or without [D]trial.
And though [Am]I love [C]my country, I am [Am]not a bitter [C]man,
I’ve [Am]seen [C]cruelty and [G]injustice first[Am]hand,
So then [G]one fateful morning I shook [C]bold freedom’s [G]hand,
For [C]right or wrong, I’d [G]tried to free my [D]land.
[Chorus]
And you [Am]dare to [C]call me a terror[Am]ist while you [C]look down your [G]gun,
When I [Am]think of [C]all the [G]things that you have [D]done,
You have [G]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [C]terrorised my [Am]people, you ruled [C]with an iron [D]hand,
And you [G]brought this reign of [C]terror to my [D]land.
[Verse 3]
Then one [G]cold October morning, trapped [C]in a lion’s [G]den,
I [C]found myself in [G]prison once a[D]gain,
I was [G]committed to the H-Blocks for [C]fourteen years or [G]more,
On the [C]blanket the condi[G]tions they were [D]poor.
Then a [Am]hunger [C]strike we did com[Am]mence for the [C]dignity of [G]man,
But it [Am]seemed to [C]me that [G]no one gave a [D]damn,
Now I’m a [G]sad and broken-hearted man, I’ve [C]watched my comrades [G]die,
If [C]only people [G]cared or wondered [D]why.
[Chorus]
And you [Am]dare to [C]call me a terror[Am]ist while you [C]look down your [G]gun,
When I [Am]think of [C]all the [G]things that you have [D]done,
You have [G]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [C]terrorised my [Am]people, you ruled [C]with an iron [D]hand,
And you [G]brought this reign of [C]terror to my [D]land.
[Verse 4]
May [G]God shine on you, Bobby Sands, for the [C]courage you have [G]shown,
May your [C]glory and your [G]fame be widely [D]known,
And [G]Francis Hughes and Ray McCreesh, who [C]died unselfish[G]ly,
And [C]Patsy O’Hara, [G]and the next in line is [D]me.
And those [Am]who lie be[C]hind me, may your [Am]courage be the [C]same,
And I [Am]pray to [C]God my [G]life is not in [D]vain,
Oh but [G]sad and bitter was the [C]year of ’[G]81,
For [C]everything I’ve [G]lost and [D]nothing’s won.
[Final Chorus]
And you [Am]dare to [C]call me a terror[Am]ist while you [C]look down your [G]gun,
When I [Am]think of [C]all the [G]things that you have [D]done,
You have [G]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [C]terrorised my [Am]people, you ruled [C]with an iron [D]hand,
And you [G]brought this reign of [C]terror to my [D]land.
[Verse 1]
Oh [G]me name is Joe McDonnell, from [C]Belfast town I [G]came,
That [C]city I will [G]never see a [D]gain,
For [G]in the town of Belfast I spent [C]many happy [G]days,
I [C]love that town in [G]oh, so many [D]ways.
For it’s [Am]there I [C]spent my child[Am]hood and found for [C]me a [G]wife,
I then [Am]set [C]out to [G]make for me a [D]life,
But [G]all my young ambitions met with [C]bitterness and [G]hate,
I [C]soon found myself in [G]side a prison [D]gate.
[Chorus]
And you [Am]dare to [C]call me a terror[Am]ist while you [C]look down your [G]gun,
When I [Am]think of [C]all the [G]things that you have [D]done,
You have [G]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [C]terrorised my [Am]people, you ruled [C]with an iron [D]hand,
And you [G]brought this reign of [C]terror to my [D]land.
[Verse 2]
Through those [G]many months internment in the [C]Maidstone and the [G]Maze,
I [C]thought about my [G]land through all those [D]days,
Why my [G]country was divided, why I [C]was now in [G]jail,
Im[C]prisoned without [G]crime or without [D]trial.
And though [Am]I love [C]my country, I am [Am]not a bitter [C]man,
I’ve [Am]seen [C]cruelty and [G]injustice first[Am]hand,
So then [G]one fateful morning I shook [C]bold freedom’s [G]hand,
For [C]right or wrong, I’d [G]tried to free my [D]land.
[Chorus]
And you [Am]dare to [C]call me a terror[Am]ist while you [C]look down your [G]gun,
When I [Am]think of [C]all the [G]things that you have [D]done,
You have [G]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [C]terrorised my [Am]people, you ruled [C]with an iron [D]hand,
And you [G]brought this reign of [C]terror to my [D]land.
[Verse 3]
Then one [G]cold October morning, trapped [C]in a lion’s [G]den,
I [C]found myself in [G]prison once a[D]gain,
I was [G]committed to the H-Blocks for [C]fourteen years or [G]more,
On the [C]blanket the condi[G]tions they were [D]poor.
Then a [Am]hunger [C]strike we did com[Am]mence for the [C]dignity of [G]man,
But it [Am]seemed to [C]me that [G]no one gave a [D]damn,
Now I’m a [G]sad and broken-hearted man, I’ve [C]watched my comrades [G]die,
If [C]only people [G]cared or wondered [D]why.
[Chorus]
And you [Am]dare to [C]call me a terror[Am]ist while you [C]look down your [G]gun,
When I [Am]think of [C]all the [G]things that you have [D]done,
You have [G]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [C]terrorised my [Am]people, you ruled [C]with an iron [D]hand,
And you [G]brought this reign of [C]terror to my [D]land.
[Verse 4]
May [G]God shine on you, Bobby Sands, for the [C]courage you have [G]shown,
May your [C]glory and your [G]fame be widely [D]known,
And [G]Francis Hughes and Ray McCreesh, who [C]died unselfish[G]ly,
And [C]Patsy O’Hara, [G]and the next in line is [D]me.
And those [Am]who lie be[C]hind me, may your [Am]courage be the [C]same,
And I [Am]pray to [C]God my [G]life is not in [D]vain,
Oh but [G]sad and bitter was the [C]year of ’[G]81,
For [C]everything I’ve [G]lost and [D]nothing’s won.
[Final Chorus]
And you [Am]dare to [C]call me a terror[Am]ist while you [C]look down your [G]gun,
When I [Am]think of [C]all the [G]things that you have [D]done,
You have [G]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [C]terrorised my [Am]people, you ruled [C]with an iron [D]hand,
And you [G]brought this reign of [C]terror to my [D]land.
🎸 Strumming Pattern
For the verses, you’ll want something steady and reflective, fitting the storytelling tone. Try:
Strumming Pattern (Verse):
D – D U – U D U
(D = down, U = up)
Use a gentle, flowing rhythm in 4/4 time.
Keep your right hand moving steadily, emphasizing beats 1 and 3 slightly.
Lightly palm mute the bass strings for a tighter, more percussive feel if you like.
For the chorus, let the emotion rise with fuller strumming:
Strumming Pattern (Chorus):
D D U U D U (played more firmly, no muting)
You can accentuate the first downstroke of each bar to give it drive.
🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern (Verse & Chorus)
Here’s a Travis-style picking pattern in 4/4 that works well for this song.
Let’s assume standard tuning (EADGBE), with thumb (p) for bass strings, index (i), and middle (m) for treble strings.
🎵 Basic Picking Pattern
For each chord:
4/4 Travis-style pattern
p i p m
|------0-------0---|
|----0-------0-----|
|------------------|
|--0-------0-------|
|------2-------2---|
|3-----------------|
Alternate thumb between root and 5th notes.
Keep a steady, even rhythm (1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &).
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse
[Intro – G]
G
e|-------3-------3-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----0-------0---|-----0-------0---|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
A|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|
C G
e|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|-------3-------3-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|-----0-------0---|-----0-------0---|
G|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
D|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
A|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|
D
e|-------2-------2-|-------2-------2-|
B|-----3-------3---|-----3-------3---|
G|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|
D|-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|
Keep this alternating pattern going throughout the verse lines, matching the chord changes.
🎶 Chorus Fingerpicking Tab (more open and expressive)
Am C
e|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|
B|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|
G|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
D|-2-------2-------|-2-------2-------|-2-------2-------|-2-------2-------|
A|0-------0-------0|0-------0-------0|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
G D
e|-------3-------3-|-------3-------3-|-------2-------2-|-------2-------2-|
B|-----0-------0---|-----0-------0---|-----3-------3---|-----3-------3---|
G|-----------------|-----------------|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|
D|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|-----------------|-----------------|
G (ending)
e|-------3-------3-|-----------------|
B|-----0-------0---|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|---0-------0-----|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3-------3-------|-----------------|
💡 Tips:
Use a steady thumb for bass alternating between root and fifth (e.g., G → D string, C → G string).
Let melody notes ring slightly longer for a warm, storytelling texture.
If you sing, keep the picking pattern consistent — it supports the vocal beautifully without overpowering it.
For the verses, you’ll want something steady and reflective, fitting the storytelling tone. Try:
Strumming Pattern (Verse):
D – D U – U D U
(D = down, U = up)
Use a gentle, flowing rhythm in 4/4 time.
Keep your right hand moving steadily, emphasizing beats 1 and 3 slightly.
Lightly palm mute the bass strings for a tighter, more percussive feel if you like.
For the chorus, let the emotion rise with fuller strumming:
Strumming Pattern (Chorus):
D D U U D U (played more firmly, no muting)
You can accentuate the first downstroke of each bar to give it drive.
🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern (Verse & Chorus)
Here’s a Travis-style picking pattern in 4/4 that works well for this song.
Let’s assume standard tuning (EADGBE), with thumb (p) for bass strings, index (i), and middle (m) for treble strings.
🎵 Basic Picking Pattern
For each chord:
4/4 Travis-style pattern
p i p m
|------0-------0---|
|----0-------0-----|
|------------------|
|--0-------0-------|
|------2-------2---|
|3-----------------|
Alternate thumb between root and 5th notes.
Keep a steady, even rhythm (1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &).
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse
[Intro – G]
G
e|-------3-------3-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----0-------0---|-----0-------0---|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
A|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|
C G
e|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|-------3-------3-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|-----0-------0---|-----0-------0---|
G|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
D|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
A|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|
D
e|-------2-------2-|-------2-------2-|
B|-----3-------3---|-----3-------3---|
G|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|
D|-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|
Keep this alternating pattern going throughout the verse lines, matching the chord changes.
🎶 Chorus Fingerpicking Tab (more open and expressive)
Am C
e|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|-------0-------0-|
B|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|-----1-------1---|
G|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
D|-2-------2-------|-2-------2-------|-2-------2-------|-2-------2-------|
A|0-------0-------0|0-------0-------0|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
G D
e|-------3-------3-|-------3-------3-|-------2-------2-|-------2-------2-|
B|-----0-------0---|-----0-------0---|-----3-------3---|-----3-------3---|
G|-----------------|-----------------|---2-------2-----|---2-------2-----|
D|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3-------3-------|-3-------3-------|-----------------|-----------------|
G (ending)
e|-------3-------3-|-----------------|
B|-----0-------0---|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|---0-------0-----|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3-------3-------|-----------------|
💡 Tips:
Use a steady thumb for bass alternating between root and fifth (e.g., G → D string, C → G string).
Let melody notes ring slightly longer for a warm, storytelling texture.
If you sing, keep the picking pattern consistent — it supports the vocal beautifully without overpowering it.
Here are the guitar chords as played by Tommy Byrne of The Wolfe Tones.
Key of D Major
Oh [D]me name is Joe McDonnell, from [G]Belfast town I [D]came,
That [G]city I will [D]never see a [A]gain,
For [D]in the town of Belfast I spent [G]many happy [D]days,
I [G]love that town in [D]oh, so many [A]ways.
For it's [Em]there I [G]spent my child[Em]hood and found for [G]me a [D]wife,
I then [Em]set [G]out to [D]make for me a [A]life,
But [D]all my young ambitions met with [G]bitterness and [D]hate,
I [G]soon found myself in [D]side a prison [A]gate.
And you [Em]dare to [G]call me a terror[Em]ist while you [G]look down your [D]gun,
When I [Em]think of [G]all the [D]things that you have [A]done,
You have [D]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [G]terrorised my [Em]people, you ruled [G]with an iron [A]hand,
And you [D]brought this reign of [G]terror to my [A]land.
Through those [D]many months internment in the [G]Maidstone and the [D]Maze,
I [G]thought about my [D]land through all those [A]days,
Why my [D]country was divided, why I [G]was now in [D]jail,
Im[G]prisoned without [D]crime or without [A]trial.
And though [Em]I love [G]my country, I am [Em]not a bitter [G]man,
I've [Em]seen [G]cruelty and [D]injustice first[Em]hand,
So then [D]one fateful morning I shook [G]bold freedom's [D]hand,
For [G]right or wrong, I'd [D]tried to free my [A]land.
And you [Em]dare to [G]call me a terror[Em]ist while you [G]look down your [D]gun,
When I [Em]think of [G]all the [D]things that you have [A]done,
You have [D]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [G]terrorised my [Em]people, you ruled [G]with an iron [A]hand,
And you [D]brought this reign of [G]terror to my [A]land.
Then one [D]cold October morning, trapped [G]in a lion's [D]den,
I [G]found myself in [D]prison once a[A]gain,
I was [D]committed to the H-Blocks for [G]fourteen years or [D]more,
On the [G]blanket the condi[D]tions they were [A]poor.
Then a [Em]hunger [G]strike we did com[Em]mence for the [G]dignity of [D]man,
But it [Em]seemed to [G]me that [D]no one gave a [A]damn,
Now I'm a [D]sad and broken-hearted man, I've [G]watched my comrades [D]die,
If [G]only people [D]cared or wondered [A]why.
And you [Em]dare to [G]call me a terror[Em]ist while you [G]look down your [D]gun,
When I [Em]think of [G]all the [D]things that you have [A]done,
You have [D]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [G]terrorised my [Em]people, you ruled [G]with an iron [A]hand,
And you [D]brought this reign of [G]terror to my [A]land.
[Verse 4]
May [D]God shine on you, Bobby Sands, for the [G]courage you have [D]shown,
May your [G]glory and your [D]fame be widely [A]known,
And [D]Francis Hughes and Ray McCreesh, who [G]died unselfish[D]ly,
And [G]Patsy O'Hara, [D]and the next in line is [A]me.
And those [Em]who lie be[G]hind me, may your [Em]courage be the [G]same,
And I [Em]pray to [G]God my [D]life is not in [A]vain,
Oh but [D]sad and bitter was the [G]year of '[D]81,
For [G]everything I've [D]lost and [A]nothing's won.
And you [Em]dare to [G]call me a terror[Em]ist while you [G]look down your [D]gun,
When I [Em]think of [G]all the [D]things that you have [A]done,
You have [D]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [G]terrorised my [Em]people, you ruled [G]with an iron [A]hand,
And you [D]brought this reign of [G]terror to my [A]land.
Key of D Major
Oh [D]me name is Joe McDonnell, from [G]Belfast town I [D]came,
That [G]city I will [D]never see a [A]gain,
For [D]in the town of Belfast I spent [G]many happy [D]days,
I [G]love that town in [D]oh, so many [A]ways.
For it's [Em]there I [G]spent my child[Em]hood and found for [G]me a [D]wife,
I then [Em]set [G]out to [D]make for me a [A]life,
But [D]all my young ambitions met with [G]bitterness and [D]hate,
I [G]soon found myself in [D]side a prison [A]gate.
And you [Em]dare to [G]call me a terror[Em]ist while you [G]look down your [D]gun,
When I [Em]think of [G]all the [D]things that you have [A]done,
You have [D]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [G]terrorised my [Em]people, you ruled [G]with an iron [A]hand,
And you [D]brought this reign of [G]terror to my [A]land.
Through those [D]many months internment in the [G]Maidstone and the [D]Maze,
I [G]thought about my [D]land through all those [A]days,
Why my [D]country was divided, why I [G]was now in [D]jail,
Im[G]prisoned without [D]crime or without [A]trial.
And though [Em]I love [G]my country, I am [Em]not a bitter [G]man,
I've [Em]seen [G]cruelty and [D]injustice first[Em]hand,
So then [D]one fateful morning I shook [G]bold freedom's [D]hand,
For [G]right or wrong, I'd [D]tried to free my [A]land.
And you [Em]dare to [G]call me a terror[Em]ist while you [G]look down your [D]gun,
When I [Em]think of [G]all the [D]things that you have [A]done,
You have [D]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [G]terrorised my [Em]people, you ruled [G]with an iron [A]hand,
And you [D]brought this reign of [G]terror to my [A]land.
Then one [D]cold October morning, trapped [G]in a lion's [D]den,
I [G]found myself in [D]prison once a[A]gain,
I was [D]committed to the H-Blocks for [G]fourteen years or [D]more,
On the [G]blanket the condi[D]tions they were [A]poor.
Then a [Em]hunger [G]strike we did com[Em]mence for the [G]dignity of [D]man,
But it [Em]seemed to [G]me that [D]no one gave a [A]damn,
Now I'm a [D]sad and broken-hearted man, I've [G]watched my comrades [D]die,
If [G]only people [D]cared or wondered [A]why.
And you [Em]dare to [G]call me a terror[Em]ist while you [G]look down your [D]gun,
When I [Em]think of [G]all the [D]things that you have [A]done,
You have [D]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [G]terrorised my [Em]people, you ruled [G]with an iron [A]hand,
And you [D]brought this reign of [G]terror to my [A]land.
[Verse 4]
May [D]God shine on you, Bobby Sands, for the [G]courage you have [D]shown,
May your [G]glory and your [D]fame be widely [A]known,
And [D]Francis Hughes and Ray McCreesh, who [G]died unselfish[D]ly,
And [G]Patsy O'Hara, [D]and the next in line is [A]me.
And those [Em]who lie be[G]hind me, may your [Em]courage be the [G]same,
And I [Em]pray to [G]God my [D]life is not in [A]vain,
Oh but [D]sad and bitter was the [G]year of '[D]81,
For [G]everything I've [D]lost and [A]nothing's won.
And you [Em]dare to [G]call me a terror[Em]ist while you [G]look down your [D]gun,
When I [Em]think of [G]all the [D]things that you have [A]done,
You have [D]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [G]terrorised my [Em]people, you ruled [G]with an iron [A]hand,
And you [D]brought this reign of [G]terror to my [A]land.
Brian Warfield wrote this song on the morning Joe McDonnell died.
''I had just heard it on the news that another hunger
striker had died and I was shocked, saddened and angry.
How could people let this happen ?. They weren't asking
for much, there should have been a solution.
They asked for the right to wear their own clothes, to
accociate with other prisoners in the same position as
they wanted the right to the same political status of
political prisoners. But the obstinate stubbornness of
Thatcher and her government refused to give an inch.
Then one by one they died unnecessarily the world
watching and no one crying halt or stop. In anger I put
pen to paper and continued writing for hours until the
song was finished. I always feel that Joe McDonnell
spoke through me on that morning, the story just flowed.
I then took my guitar and composed the melody, as I did
the tears ran down my face. I then put the words and
melody together and when I finished I broke down and
cried. There was 10 young men who died on hunger strike that
year. Joe McDonnell aged 30 was the fifth man to die.
Those before him were Martin Hurson 24, Kevin Lynch 25,
Thomas McElwee 23 and Micky Devine 27. All brave men
who deserve their place in the history of our country.
''I had just heard it on the news that another hunger
striker had died and I was shocked, saddened and angry.
How could people let this happen ?. They weren't asking
for much, there should have been a solution.
They asked for the right to wear their own clothes, to
accociate with other prisoners in the same position as
they wanted the right to the same political status of
political prisoners. But the obstinate stubbornness of
Thatcher and her government refused to give an inch.
Then one by one they died unnecessarily the world
watching and no one crying halt or stop. In anger I put
pen to paper and continued writing for hours until the
song was finished. I always feel that Joe McDonnell
spoke through me on that morning, the story just flowed.
I then took my guitar and composed the melody, as I did
the tears ran down my face. I then put the words and
melody together and when I finished I broke down and
cried. There was 10 young men who died on hunger strike that
year. Joe McDonnell aged 30 was the fifth man to die.
Those before him were Martin Hurson 24, Kevin Lynch 25,
Thomas McElwee 23 and Micky Devine 27. All brave men
who deserve their place in the history of our country.
Guitar chords in C Major
Oh [C]me name is Joe McDonnell, from [F]Belfast town I [C]came,
That [F]city I will [C]never see a [G]gain,
For [C]in the town of Belfast I spent [F]many happy [C]days,
I [F]love that town in [C]oh, so many [G]ways.
For it's [Dm]there I [F]spent my child[Dm]hood and found for [F]me a [C]wife,
I then [Dm]set [F]out to [C]make for me a [G]life,
But [C]all my young ambitions met with [F]bitterness and [C]hate,
I [F]soon found myself in [C]side a prison [G]gate.
And you [Dm]dare to [F]call me a terror[Dm]ist while you [F]look down your [C]gun,
When I [Dm]think of [F]all the [C]things that you have [G]done,
You have [C]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [F]terrorised my [Dm]people, you ruled [F]with an iron [G]hand,
And you [C]brought this reign of [F]terror to my [G]land.
Through those [C]many months internment in the [F]Maidstone and the [C]Maze,
I [F]thought about my [C]land through all those [G]days,
Why my [C]country was divided, why I [F]was now in [C]jail,
Im[F]prisoned without [C]crime or without [G]trial.
And though [Dm]I love [F]my country, I am [Dm]not a bitter [F]man,
I've [Dm]seen [F]cruelty and [C]injustice first[Dm]hand,
So then [C]one fateful morning I shook [F]bold freedom's [C]hand,
For [F]right or wrong, I'd [C]tried to free my [G]land.
And you [Dm]dare to [F]call me a terror[Dm]ist while you [F]look down your [C]gun,
When I [Dm]think of [F]all the [C]things that you have [G]done,
You have [C]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [F]terrorised my [Dm]people, you ruled [F]with an iron [G]hand,
And you [C]brought this reign of [F]terror to my [G]land.
Then one [C]cold October morning, trapped [F]in a lion's [C]den,
I [F]found myself in [C]prison once a[G]gain,
I was [C]committed to the H-Blocks for [F]fourteen years or [C]more,
On the [F]blanket the condi[C]tions they were [G]poor.
Then a [Dm]hunger [F]strike we did com[Dm]mence for the [F]dignity of [C]man,
But it [Dm]seemed to [F]me that [C]no one gave a [G]damn,
Now I'm a [C]sad and broken-hearted man, I've [F]watched my comrades [C]die,
If [F]only people [C]cared or wondered [G]why.
And you [Dm]dare to [F]call me a terror[Dm]ist while you [F]look down your [C]gun,
When I [Dm]think of [F]all the [C]things that you have [G]done,
You have [C]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [F]terrorised my [Dm]people, you ruled [F]with an iron [G]hand,
And you [C]brought this reign of [F]terror to my [G]land.
[Verse 4]
May [C]God shine on you, Bobby Sands, for the [F]courage you have [C]shown,
May your [F]glory and your [C]fame be widely [G]known,
And [C]Francis Hughes and Ray McCreesh, who [F]died unselfish[C]ly,
And [F]Patsy O'Hara, [C]and the next in line is [G]me.
And those [Dm]who lie be[F]hind me, may your [Dm]courage be the [F]same,
And I [Dm]pray to [F]God my [C]life is not in [G]vain,
Oh but [C]sad and bitter was the [F]year of '[C]81,
For [F]everything I've [C]lost and [G]nothing's won.
And you [Dm]dare to [F]call me a terror[Dm]ist while you [F]look down your [C]gun,
When I [Dm]think of [F]all the [C]things that you have [G]done,
You have [C]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [F]terrorised my [Dm]people, you ruled [F]with an iron [G]hand,
And you [C]brought this reign of [F]terror to my [G]land.
Oh [C]me name is Joe McDonnell, from [F]Belfast town I [C]came,
That [F]city I will [C]never see a [G]gain,
For [C]in the town of Belfast I spent [F]many happy [C]days,
I [F]love that town in [C]oh, so many [G]ways.
For it's [Dm]there I [F]spent my child[Dm]hood and found for [F]me a [C]wife,
I then [Dm]set [F]out to [C]make for me a [G]life,
But [C]all my young ambitions met with [F]bitterness and [C]hate,
I [F]soon found myself in [C]side a prison [G]gate.
And you [Dm]dare to [F]call me a terror[Dm]ist while you [F]look down your [C]gun,
When I [Dm]think of [F]all the [C]things that you have [G]done,
You have [C]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [F]terrorised my [Dm]people, you ruled [F]with an iron [G]hand,
And you [C]brought this reign of [F]terror to my [G]land.
Through those [C]many months internment in the [F]Maidstone and the [C]Maze,
I [F]thought about my [C]land through all those [G]days,
Why my [C]country was divided, why I [F]was now in [C]jail,
Im[F]prisoned without [C]crime or without [G]trial.
And though [Dm]I love [F]my country, I am [Dm]not a bitter [F]man,
I've [Dm]seen [F]cruelty and [C]injustice first[Dm]hand,
So then [C]one fateful morning I shook [F]bold freedom's [C]hand,
For [F]right or wrong, I'd [C]tried to free my [G]land.
And you [Dm]dare to [F]call me a terror[Dm]ist while you [F]look down your [C]gun,
When I [Dm]think of [F]all the [C]things that you have [G]done,
You have [C]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [F]terrorised my [Dm]people, you ruled [F]with an iron [G]hand,
And you [C]brought this reign of [F]terror to my [G]land.
Then one [C]cold October morning, trapped [F]in a lion's [C]den,
I [F]found myself in [C]prison once a[G]gain,
I was [C]committed to the H-Blocks for [F]fourteen years or [C]more,
On the [F]blanket the condi[C]tions they were [G]poor.
Then a [Dm]hunger [F]strike we did com[Dm]mence for the [F]dignity of [C]man,
But it [Dm]seemed to [F]me that [C]no one gave a [G]damn,
Now I'm a [C]sad and broken-hearted man, I've [F]watched my comrades [C]die,
If [F]only people [C]cared or wondered [G]why.
And you [Dm]dare to [F]call me a terror[Dm]ist while you [F]look down your [C]gun,
When I [Dm]think of [F]all the [C]things that you have [G]done,
You have [C]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [F]terrorised my [Dm]people, you ruled [F]with an iron [G]hand,
And you [C]brought this reign of [F]terror to my [G]land.
[Verse 4]
May [C]God shine on you, Bobby Sands, for the [F]courage you have [C]shown,
May your [F]glory and your [C]fame be widely [G]known,
And [C]Francis Hughes and Ray McCreesh, who [F]died unselfish[C]ly,
And [F]Patsy O'Hara, [C]and the next in line is [G]me.
And those [Dm]who lie be[F]hind me, may your [Dm]courage be the [F]same,
And I [Dm]pray to [F]God my [C]life is not in [G]vain,
Oh but [C]sad and bitter was the [F]year of '[C]81,
For [F]everything I've [C]lost and [G]nothing's won.
And you [Dm]dare to [F]call me a terror[Dm]ist while you [F]look down your [C]gun,
When I [Dm]think of [F]all the [C]things that you have [G]done,
You have [C]plundered many nations, divided many lands,
You have [F]terrorised my [Dm]people, you ruled [F]with an iron [G]hand,
And you [C]brought this reign of [F]terror to my [G]land.
Below is the list of sheet music and tin whistle songs that are in my ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle songs ever put together.[over 800 songs ] Including folk, pop and trad tunes plus German And French songs along with Christmas Carols.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
Joe McDonnell
Joe Mc Donnell Abc music notes for Mandolin/Banjo Whistle (Key = G) The video of the tin whistle is played by Jean-Baptiste Meynard
(Verse)
F#EDDDEF#A F#ABABD'F# ABAGF#AGF#GF#E
F#EDDDEF#A F#ABABD'F# ABAGF#AGF#GF#E
(Bridge)
AABE'D'BAB E'E'E'D'BD' ABE'D'BAD'F#GF#E
F#EDDDEF#A F#ABABD'F# ABAGF#AGF#GF#E
(Chorus)
AABE'D'BAB E'E'E'D'BD' ABE'D'BAD'F#GF#E
DEF#F#EDF#F# F#F#F#EDF# ABBAGBB BAGBABD'E'
D'E'F'#E'D'BAD'F#GF#E
Mandolin tab
//2 //0 /5 /5 /5 //0 //2 //5 //2 //5 ///0 //5 ///0 ///3 //2
//5 ///0 //5 //3 //2 //5 //3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
//2 //0 /5 /5 /5 //0 //2 //5 //2 //5 ///0 //5 ///0 ///3 //2
//5 ///0 //5 //3 //2 //5 //3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///5 ///5 ///3 ///0 ///3
///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
//2 //0 /5 /5 /5 //0 //2 //5 //2 //5 ///0 //5 ///0 ///3 //2
//5 ///0 //5 //3 //2 //5 //3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
[chorus]
///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///5 ///5 ///3 ///0 ///3
///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
/5 //0 //2 //2 //0 /5 //2 //2 /5 //0 //2 //2 //0 /5 //2
//5 ///0 ///0 //5 //3 ///0>///0 ///0 //5 //3 ///0 //5 ///0 ///3 ///5
///3 ///5 ///7 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
Here's my version of the tin whistle notes. If you're playing this on the recorder, banjo mandolin or other lead instrument then remember that all the F notes are sharp [#] and that all the notes in CAPITAL letters are the low notes up as far as B and the small letters are the high notes past the B.
F E D D D E F A A B A B d F
O' my name is Joe McDonnell From Belfast town I came
A B A G F A G F F E
That city I will never see again
FE D D D E F A F A B A B d F
For in that town of Belfast I spent many happy days
A B A G F A G F F E
I love that town in oh so many ways.
A A B e d B A B e e e d B d
For it's there I spent my childhood and found for me a wife
A B e d B A d F F E
I then set out to make for her a life.
F E D D D E F A A A B A B d F
Ah But all my young ambitions met with bitterness and hate
A A B A G F A G F F E
I soon found myself inside a prison gate.
CHORUS
A A B e d B B A A B
And you dare to call me a terrorist
e e e d B d
While you look down your gun
A A B e d B A d F F E
When I think of all the deeds that you have done,
D E F F E D F F F F F E D F
You have plundered many nations Divided many lands
A A B B A G B B A G B A B d e
You have terrorized their people You ruled with an iron hand.
d e f e d B A d F F E
And you brought this reign of terror to my land.
(Verse)
F#EDDDEF#A F#ABABD'F# ABAGF#AGF#GF#E
F#EDDDEF#A F#ABABD'F# ABAGF#AGF#GF#E
(Bridge)
AABE'D'BAB E'E'E'D'BD' ABE'D'BAD'F#GF#E
F#EDDDEF#A F#ABABD'F# ABAGF#AGF#GF#E
(Chorus)
AABE'D'BAB E'E'E'D'BD' ABE'D'BAD'F#GF#E
DEF#F#EDF#F# F#F#F#EDF# ABBAGBB BAGBABD'E'
D'E'F'#E'D'BAD'F#GF#E
Mandolin tab
//2 //0 /5 /5 /5 //0 //2 //5 //2 //5 ///0 //5 ///0 ///3 //2
//5 ///0 //5 //3 //2 //5 //3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
//2 //0 /5 /5 /5 //0 //2 //5 //2 //5 ///0 //5 ///0 ///3 //2
//5 ///0 //5 //3 //2 //5 //3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///5 ///5 ///3 ///0 ///3
///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
//2 //0 /5 /5 /5 //0 //2 //5 //2 //5 ///0 //5 ///0 ///3 //2
//5 ///0 //5 //3 //2 //5 //3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
[chorus]
///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///5 ///5 ///3 ///0 ///3
///0 //5 ///0 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
/5 //0 //2 //2 //0 /5 //2 //2 /5 //0 //2 //2 //0 /5 //2
//5 ///0 ///0 //5 //3 ///0>///0 ///0 //5 //3 ///0 //5 ///0 ///3 ///5
///3 ///5 ///7 ///5 ///3 ///0 //5 ///3 //2 //3 //2 //2 //0
Here's my version of the tin whistle notes. If you're playing this on the recorder, banjo mandolin or other lead instrument then remember that all the F notes are sharp [#] and that all the notes in CAPITAL letters are the low notes up as far as B and the small letters are the high notes past the B.
F E D D D E F A A B A B d F
O' my name is Joe McDonnell From Belfast town I came
A B A G F A G F F E
That city I will never see again
FE D D D E F A F A B A B d F
For in that town of Belfast I spent many happy days
A B A G F A G F F E
I love that town in oh so many ways.
A A B e d B A B e e e d B d
For it's there I spent my childhood and found for me a wife
A B e d B A d F F E
I then set out to make for her a life.
F E D D D E F A A A B A B d F
Ah But all my young ambitions met with bitterness and hate
A A B A G F A G F F E
I soon found myself inside a prison gate.
CHORUS
A A B e d B B A A B
And you dare to call me a terrorist
e e e d B d
While you look down your gun
A A B e d B A d F F E
When I think of all the deeds that you have done,
D E F F E D F F F F F E D F
You have plundered many nations Divided many lands
A A B B A G B B A G B A B d e
You have terrorized their people You ruled with an iron hand.
d e f e d B A d F F E
And you brought this reign of terror to my land.
Here's the list of Irish rebel songs sheet music / tin whistle notes in that pdf ebook.
The price is €8.90. You'll be diverted to the download page after payment.
Any problems please let me know. [email protected]
The price is €8.90. You'll be diverted to the download page after payment.
Any problems please let me know. [email protected]
Tommy Byrne of The Wolfe Tones singing Joe McDonnell
Joe McDonnell Photo
Joe McDonnell lyrics
