Lament For Ireland lyrics and guitar chords

written by Colin Flavin.
This is a song I wrote for a ballad competition in Listowel, it is a social commentry on the changes Ireland has experienced

Lament for Ireland    (3/4 time)
 
Our [C] island is changing no [F] more can I [C] lie
and [C] pretend it's [G] all for the [C] better
gone are the days of shillelagh and fairies
down in the grave with our heroe's
 
    [F] Ireland of old is [C]gone for some
    [G] Ireland of old is[C]gone
 
The old ones are dying so too are the young
the price of life is soaring
what of the many who are left behind 
to struggle wuth lifes daily burden
 
    Ireland of old is gone for some 
    Ireland of old is gone
 
Slán leat to the farmer slán leat to the fool
slán leat to the smoke in the tavern
slán leat to the priest slán leat to the old grief
no more children must cross the waters
 
    Ireland of old is gone for some 
    Ireland of old is gone
 
We still have the harp but there's greed in our hearts
the landlords are now our own people
many have died so many tears cried
to blow it for corporate expansion
 
    Ireland of old is gone for some 
    Ireland of old is gone
 
Its easy to see what this island could be
the land of the saint and the scholar
progress is a must but what is the cost 
and what will become of our nation
 
    Ireland of old is gone for some 
    Ireland of old is gone
 
A romantic I am but shur that's in my blood
the blood of the Collins and Murphys
I year for the days told in the old tales
to live simply like thoes gone before me
 
    Ireland of old is gone for some 
    Ireland of old is gone