John Williams lyrics and chords by Johnny McEvoy

Words and music of John Williams are by Irish folk singer and songwriter Johnny McEvoy. Included is the sheet music which I put into the key of D Major. Recorded by Irish singer Jack Keogh in 2023.

[G]When last I saw John Williams, a[C] young man [G]full of[D] pride
His lovely bride of just four[C] days was [G]standing[D] by his[G] side
He[G] smiled and took me by the hand, saying [C]"Boyo[G] can't you [D]see
I've[G] seen the last of windswept bogs and[C] [G]bogs the[D] last of [G]me!
And the[C] peelers and the land[G]lords and the[C] risings [G]of the[D] moon
And if [G]ever I return a[C]gain, 'twill[G]] be too[D] bloody[G] soon"
 
CHO:[D]] Rich man ,[D7] poor man,[C]] beggar man,[G] wife
[D]Sailed a[D7]way into the[G] night
Where they'll wind up [C]no-one[G] knows
[G]Round and round the[D] story[G] goes
 
He said "I'll go and take my chance in far off New York Town
For they say there's lots of work there and a good man's not put down
And with my lassie by my side we'll build a better home
And when the sea trip's over lads we never more will roam"
So we said farewell upon the quay, there was nothing left to do
But to pray for John and his lovely bride, that their dreams
might all come true
 
How I envied you, John Williams, and your lovely fair haired bride
To be sailing on that mighty ship across the ocean wide
For she's the finest liner, that was ever built by man
And they say there's naught can sink her, no not even God's own hand
Man's pride can be his own downfall, that big ship sailed form home
And I thought I heard the banshee cry, and it chilled me to the bone
CHO: Rich man , poor man, beggar man, wife
Sailed away into the night
Where they'll wind up no-one knows
Round and round the story goes
Round and around the icebergs flow.

​Alternative guitar chords for the key of D Major.
[D]When last I saw John Williams, a[G] young man [D]full of[A] pride
His lovely bride of just four[G] days was [D]standing[A] by his[D] side
He[D] smiled and took me by the hand, saying [G]"Boyo[D] can't you [A]see
I've[D] seen the last of windswept bogs and[G], [D]bogs the[A] last of [D]me!
And the[G] peelers and the land[D]lords and the[G] risings [D]of the[A] moon
And if [D]ever I return a[G]gain, 'twill[D] be too[A] bloody[D] soon"
 
CHO:[A] Rich man ,[A7] poor man,[G] beggar man,[D] wife
[A]Sailed a[A7]way into the[D] night
Where they'll wind up [G]no-one[D] knows
[D]Round and round the[A] story[D] goes

Here's the sheet music for The Ballad Of John Williams In D Major

Johnny McEvoy Irish folk singer