Kitty Lyrics Chords and whistle notes
Shane MacGowan And The Pogues Kitty sheet music and tin whistle tab by The Pogues now included. This song was brought back to life by The Pogues [ songs ]I recall Shane Mc Gowan saying that he heard it from his mother It's a love song about a Fenian saying goodbye to his sweetheart. A mighty sad song. Handy song to play, three easy chords. I have also included the tin whistle notes in the letter format, these notes are for any lead instrument including accordion keyboard banjo and so on. Recorder by Finbar Furey in 2024.
Kitty Harmonica Tab Is In This Ebook
Kitty Harmonica Tab Is In This Ebook
Oh[D] Kitty my darling remember
That the doom will be mine if I[G] stay
'Tis far[D] better to part though it's hard to
Than to[G] rot in their[A] prison a[D]way
'Tis far[D] better to part though it's hard to
Than to[G] rot in their[A] prison a[D]way.
So softly he then kissed her pale lips
Twas the same story over and ore
Hush mo mhuirnin the police are watching
And you know that I must go ashore
Hush my mhuirnin the police are watching
And you know that I must go ashore
In a day I'll be over the mountain
Therell be time enough left for to cry
So goodnight and God guard you forever
And write to me wont you goodbye
So goodnight and God guard you forever
And write to me wont you goodbye
That the doom will be mine if I[G] stay
'Tis far[D] better to part though it's hard to
Than to[G] rot in their[A] prison a[D]way
'Tis far[D] better to part though it's hard to
Than to[G] rot in their[A] prison a[D]way.
So softly he then kissed her pale lips
Twas the same story over and ore
Hush mo mhuirnin the police are watching
And you know that I must go ashore
Hush my mhuirnin the police are watching
And you know that I must go ashore
In a day I'll be over the mountain
Therell be time enough left for to cry
So goodnight and God guard you forever
And write to me wont you goodbye
So goodnight and God guard you forever
And write to me wont you goodbye
✅ Chords for all verses
✅ A 3/4 strumming pattern
✅ A fingerpicking tab for the first verse
🎶 Full Lyrics with Chords (Key: D Major, 3/4 time)
Verse 1
Oh [D]Kitty my darling re[A]member
That the [D]doom will be mine if I [G]stay
'Tis far [D]better to part though it's [Bm]hard to
Than to [G]rot in their [A]prison a[D]way
'Tis far [D]better to part though it's [Bm]hard to
Than to [G]rot in their [A]prison a[D]way
Verse 2
So [D]softly he then kissed her [A]pale lips
'Twas the [D]same story [A]over and [G]o’er
Hush mo [D]mhuirnín, the police are [Bm]watching
And you [G]know that I [A]must go a[D]shore
Hush mo [D]mhuirnín, the police are [Bm]watching
And you [G]know that I [A]must go a[D]shore
Verse 3
In a [D]day I’ll be over the [A]mountain
There’ll be [D]time enough [A]left for to [G]cry
So good[D]night and God guard you for[Bm]ever
And [G]write to me [A]won’t you good[D]bye
So good[D]night and God guard you for[Bm]ever
And [G]write to me [A]won’t you good[D]bye
🎸 3/4 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel)
Count: 1 – 2 – 3
Pattern:
↓ (bass) ↓↑ (chords)
Each measure:
Beat 1: Strong downstroke on the bass note (root of chord)
Beats 2–3: Gentle down–up on treble strings
Example (per bar):
Bass ↓ Down–Up
(Counted “ONE two three”)
This gives the swaying waltz rhythm perfect for slow Irish songs.
🪕 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse Only)
This uses a rolling 3/4 fingerstyle pattern:
P (thumb) = bass (E, A, D)
I (index) = G string
M (middle) = B string
A (ring) = high E
Pattern (per bar):
P – I – M – A – M – I
(counted: 1 & 2 & 3 &)
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab – Verse 1
D A7 D
e|--------2-----------2-|--------0-----------0-|--------2-----------2-|
B|------3---3-------3---|------2---2-------2---|------3---3-------3---|
G|----2-------2---2-----|----0-------0---0-----|----2-------2---2-----|
D|--0-----------0-------|--2-----------2-------|--0-----------0-------|
A|----------------------|0-----------0---------|----------------------|
E|----------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
G A7 D
e|--------3-----------3-|--------0-----------0-|--------2-----------2-|
B|------0---0-------0---|------2---2-------2---|------3---3-------3---|
G|----0-------0---0-----|----0-------0---0-----|----2-------2---2-----|
D|--0-----------0-------|--2-----------2-------|--0-----------0-------|
A|----------------------|0-----------0---------|----------------------|
E|3-----------3---------|----------------------|----------------------|
(Repeat the same picking feel for the “’Tis far better to part…” line.)
💡 Playing Tips
Accent beat 1 slightly to maintain the waltz pulse.
Let all notes ring naturally — don’t rush the transitions.
On A7, alternate the bass between the open A and D strings for a fuller sound.
For variety, fingerpick the first verse, then strum the later ones to build energy.
✅ A 3/4 strumming pattern
✅ A fingerpicking tab for the first verse
🎶 Full Lyrics with Chords (Key: D Major, 3/4 time)
Verse 1
Oh [D]Kitty my darling re[A]member
That the [D]doom will be mine if I [G]stay
'Tis far [D]better to part though it's [Bm]hard to
Than to [G]rot in their [A]prison a[D]way
'Tis far [D]better to part though it's [Bm]hard to
Than to [G]rot in their [A]prison a[D]way
Verse 2
So [D]softly he then kissed her [A]pale lips
'Twas the [D]same story [A]over and [G]o’er
Hush mo [D]mhuirnín, the police are [Bm]watching
And you [G]know that I [A]must go a[D]shore
Hush mo [D]mhuirnín, the police are [Bm]watching
And you [G]know that I [A]must go a[D]shore
Verse 3
In a [D]day I’ll be over the [A]mountain
There’ll be [D]time enough [A]left for to [G]cry
So good[D]night and God guard you for[Bm]ever
And [G]write to me [A]won’t you good[D]bye
So good[D]night and God guard you for[Bm]ever
And [G]write to me [A]won’t you good[D]bye
🎸 3/4 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel)
Count: 1 – 2 – 3
Pattern:
↓ (bass) ↓↑ (chords)
Each measure:
Beat 1: Strong downstroke on the bass note (root of chord)
Beats 2–3: Gentle down–up on treble strings
Example (per bar):
Bass ↓ Down–Up
(Counted “ONE two three”)
This gives the swaying waltz rhythm perfect for slow Irish songs.
🪕 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse Only)
This uses a rolling 3/4 fingerstyle pattern:
P (thumb) = bass (E, A, D)
I (index) = G string
M (middle) = B string
A (ring) = high E
Pattern (per bar):
P – I – M – A – M – I
(counted: 1 & 2 & 3 &)
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab – Verse 1
D A7 D
e|--------2-----------2-|--------0-----------0-|--------2-----------2-|
B|------3---3-------3---|------2---2-------2---|------3---3-------3---|
G|----2-------2---2-----|----0-------0---0-----|----2-------2---2-----|
D|--0-----------0-------|--2-----------2-------|--0-----------0-------|
A|----------------------|0-----------0---------|----------------------|
E|----------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
G A7 D
e|--------3-----------3-|--------0-----------0-|--------2-----------2-|
B|------0---0-------0---|------2---2-------2---|------3---3-------3---|
G|----0-------0---0-----|----0-------0---0-----|----2-------2---2-----|
D|--0-----------0-------|--2-----------2-------|--0-----------0-------|
A|----------------------|0-----------0---------|----------------------|
E|3-----------3---------|----------------------|----------------------|
(Repeat the same picking feel for the “’Tis far better to part…” line.)
💡 Playing Tips
Accent beat 1 slightly to maintain the waltz pulse.
Let all notes ring naturally — don’t rush the transitions.
On A7, alternate the bass between the open A and D strings for a fuller sound.
For variety, fingerpick the first verse, then strum the later ones to build energy.
The first ever gig by The Pogues was in a pub called
Pindar Of Wakefield which was on Grey's Inn Road on the
5th of Oct. The line up of the band at the time included
Shane MacGowan on guitar and vocals, John Hasler on drums
John later joined Madness, Spider Stacy backing vocals
Jim Finer on 5 string banjo, James Fearnley on accordion
who only recently began playing the accordion and the sound
man was Darryl Hunt. The set list included - The Dark Streets
Of London, The Clobberer, Paddy On The Railway, Streams Of
Whiskey [ lyrics ] and Kitty. Most of these were written by Shane and
the others were Irish traditional folk songs.
The offical name of the band at this early stage was Pogue
Mahone. Several names were put forward as to what to call
the band and Spider came up with Pogue Mahone, ''It's from
Ulysses by James Joyce he said '' Only weeks before Shane
and Jim had been busking at Finsbury Park Tube Station.
Pindar Of Wakefield which was on Grey's Inn Road on the
5th of Oct. The line up of the band at the time included
Shane MacGowan on guitar and vocals, John Hasler on drums
John later joined Madness, Spider Stacy backing vocals
Jim Finer on 5 string banjo, James Fearnley on accordion
who only recently began playing the accordion and the sound
man was Darryl Hunt. The set list included - The Dark Streets
Of London, The Clobberer, Paddy On The Railway, Streams Of
Whiskey [ lyrics ] and Kitty. Most of these were written by Shane and
the others were Irish traditional folk songs.
The offical name of the band at this early stage was Pogue
Mahone. Several names were put forward as to what to call
the band and Spider came up with Pogue Mahone, ''It's from
Ulysses by James Joyce he said '' Only weeks before Shane
and Jim had been busking at Finsbury Park Tube Station.
Here are the guitar chords in the key of G and is the same key the Pogues play the song in.
🎶 Full Lyrics with Chords (Key: G Major, 3/4 Time)
Verse 1
Oh [G]Kitty my darling re[D]member
That the [G]doom will be mine if I [C]stay
'Tis far [G]better to part though it's [Em]hard to
Than to [C]rot in their [D]prison a[G]way
'Tis far [G]better to part though it's [Em]hard to
Than to [C]rot in their [D]prison a[G]way
Verse 2
So [G]softly he then kissed her [D]pale lips
'Twas the [G]same story [D]over and [C]o’er
Hush mo [G]mhuirnín, the police are [Em]watching
And you [C]know that I [D]must go a[G]shore
Hush mo [G]mhuirnín, the police are [Em]watching
And you [C]know that I [D]must go a[G]shore
Verse 3
In a [G]day I’ll be over the [D]mountain
There’ll be [G]time enough [D]left for to [C]cry
So good[G]night and God guard you for[Em]ever
And [C]write to me [D]won’t you good[G]bye
So good[G]night and God guard you for[Em]ever
And [C]write to me [D]won’t you good[G]bye
🎸 3/4 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel)
Count: 1 – 2 – 3
Pattern:
↓ (bass) ↓↑ (chords)
Each bar:
Beat 1: Bass downstroke (root note of chord)
Beats 2–3: Gentle down–up on the treble strings
Example (per bar):
Bass ↓ Down–Up
(Count: “ONE two three”)
This creates a graceful, rolling waltz rhythm.
🪕 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse (3/4, G Major)
Fingerstyle pattern:
P – I – M – A – M – I
Thumb = Bass (E, A, D), Index = G string, Middle = B, Ring = high E
Counted: 1 & 2 & 3 &
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab
G D7 G
e|--------3-----------3-|--------2-----------2-|--------3-----------3-|
B|------0---0-------0---|------1---1-------1---|------0---0-------0---|
G|----0-------0---0-----|----2-------2---2-----|----0-------0---0-----|
D|--0-----------0-------|--0-----------0-------|--0-----------0-------|
A|----------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
E|3-----------3---------|----------------------|3-----------3---------|
C D7 G
e|--------0-----------0-|--------2-----------2-|--------3-----------3-|
B|------1---1-------1---|------1---1-------1---|------0---0-------0---|
G|----0-------0---0-----|----2-------2---2-----|----0-------0---0-----|
D|--2-----------2-------|--0-----------0-------|--0-----------0-------|
A|3-----------3---------|----------------------|2-----------2---------|
E|----------------------|----------------------|3-----------3---------|
🎶 Full Lyrics with Chords (Key: G Major, 3/4 Time)
Verse 1
Oh [G]Kitty my darling re[D]member
That the [G]doom will be mine if I [C]stay
'Tis far [G]better to part though it's [Em]hard to
Than to [C]rot in their [D]prison a[G]way
'Tis far [G]better to part though it's [Em]hard to
Than to [C]rot in their [D]prison a[G]way
Verse 2
So [G]softly he then kissed her [D]pale lips
'Twas the [G]same story [D]over and [C]o’er
Hush mo [G]mhuirnín, the police are [Em]watching
And you [C]know that I [D]must go a[G]shore
Hush mo [G]mhuirnín, the police are [Em]watching
And you [C]know that I [D]must go a[G]shore
Verse 3
In a [G]day I’ll be over the [D]mountain
There’ll be [G]time enough [D]left for to [C]cry
So good[G]night and God guard you for[Em]ever
And [C]write to me [D]won’t you good[G]bye
So good[G]night and God guard you for[Em]ever
And [C]write to me [D]won’t you good[G]bye
🎸 3/4 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel)
Count: 1 – 2 – 3
Pattern:
↓ (bass) ↓↑ (chords)
Each bar:
Beat 1: Bass downstroke (root note of chord)
Beats 2–3: Gentle down–up on the treble strings
Example (per bar):
Bass ↓ Down–Up
(Count: “ONE two three”)
This creates a graceful, rolling waltz rhythm.
🪕 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse (3/4, G Major)
Fingerstyle pattern:
P – I – M – A – M – I
Thumb = Bass (E, A, D), Index = G string, Middle = B, Ring = high E
Counted: 1 & 2 & 3 &
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab
G D7 G
e|--------3-----------3-|--------2-----------2-|--------3-----------3-|
B|------0---0-------0---|------1---1-------1---|------0---0-------0---|
G|----0-------0---0-----|----2-------2---2-----|----0-------0---0-----|
D|--0-----------0-------|--0-----------0-------|--0-----------0-------|
A|----------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
E|3-----------3---------|----------------------|3-----------3---------|
C D7 G
e|--------0-----------0-|--------2-----------2-|--------3-----------3-|
B|------1---1-------1---|------1---1-------1---|------0---0-------0---|
G|----0-------0---0-----|----2-------2---2-----|----0-------0---0-----|
D|--2-----------2-------|--0-----------0-------|--0-----------0-------|
A|3-----------3---------|----------------------|2-----------2---------|
E|----------------------|----------------------|3-----------3---------|
Tin Whistle Notes For Kitty
D D B G A G E E D
G A B B B B G E D
G E D G E D G E D G
G A B B B A G A G
G E D G E D G E D G
G A B B B A G A G
The notes in bold text are the high ones.
So really there's only two high D' notes.
You just repeat the above for the whole song.
G A B B B B G E D
G E D G E D G E D G
G A B B B A G A G
G E D G E D G E D G
G A B B B A G A G
The notes in bold text are the high ones.
So really there's only two high D' notes.
You just repeat the above for the whole song.
The Pogues sheet music / tin whistle notes ebook
Ebook of tin whistle tabs for The Pogues
Spider Stacy The Pogues
Below is the ebook list of Irish Folk Songs with guitar chords
in 3 keys. Price €8.90 and I'll email the ebook after purchase .
The chords are suited to ukulele, banjo or mandolin also.
Martin
in 3 keys. Price €8.90 and I'll email the ebook after purchase .
The chords are suited to ukulele, banjo or mandolin also.
Martin
