MacNamara's Band Guitar Chords And Lyrics
Written by O'Connor And Stanford. The easy guitar chordpro chords are in the key of G Major and D Major. The 5 string banjo chords are included.The sheet music for tin whistle is also included.Guitar chords by Carroll. Recorded by Bing Crosby who was one of the first to record Galway Bay Song in 1947. Also by The Irish Rovers, The Boys Of The Isle and Spike Jones. the song is based around the St. Mary's Fyfe And Drum Band from County Limerick. The youtube video is Glen Daly from Glasgow Scotland who was a music hall singer 1930/87. McNamara's Band Guitar Tab In PDF included.
About The Song.
this is a rollicking, proudly self-delusional masterpiece about the most enthusiastic, semi-musical disaster ever assembled: MacNamara’s Band — a group with more spirit than skill, and more volume than precision.
It starts with MacNamara introducing himself like a man who’s just inherited the symphony orchestra of Vienna:
“I’m the leader of a band! Best in all the land!”
Never mind that the “band” is probably seven lads, three of whom are tone-deaf, and one of whom thinks a bassoon is a type of fish.
Macnamara, of course, is the conductor — and also apparently a star musician himself — because when you’re Irish, modesty is optional.
Then we get the glorious breakdown of instruments:
which is the politest way of saying he gets red in the face and nearly passes out.
Doyle and MacNamara both play the pipes — which might explain why sometimes they both take in air at the same time and the music stops.
Hennessey “tootely-tootles” the flute --
a phrase so whimsical you can practically smell the Guinness behind it.
And yet — the result is:
“music that’s something grand.”
Meaning either magnificent…
or magnificently loud.
Where do they perform?
EVERYWHERE.
The best bit?
When Ulysses S. Grant (former US President) visits Ireland, shakes MacNamara’s hand, and declares he’s never heard anything like it.
Which is almost certainly true.
Whether he meant it as a compliment is another question.
Now the band is practicing for a grand celebration:
MacNamara’s Band!
Charging ahead like a herd of musical donkeys.
In essence, the song is:
As we’d say in Ireland:
They may not hit every note — but by heaven, they hit every eardrum.
this is a rollicking, proudly self-delusional masterpiece about the most enthusiastic, semi-musical disaster ever assembled: MacNamara’s Band — a group with more spirit than skill, and more volume than precision.
It starts with MacNamara introducing himself like a man who’s just inherited the symphony orchestra of Vienna:
“I’m the leader of a band! Best in all the land!”
Never mind that the “band” is probably seven lads, three of whom are tone-deaf, and one of whom thinks a bassoon is a type of fish.
Macnamara, of course, is the conductor — and also apparently a star musician himself — because when you’re Irish, modesty is optional.
Then we get the glorious breakdown of instruments:
- The drums bang
- The cymbals clang
- The horns blaze away
(“blaze” meaning: deafening at five miles)
which is the politest way of saying he gets red in the face and nearly passes out.
Doyle and MacNamara both play the pipes — which might explain why sometimes they both take in air at the same time and the music stops.
Hennessey “tootely-tootles” the flute --
a phrase so whimsical you can practically smell the Guinness behind it.
And yet — the result is:
“music that’s something grand.”
Meaning either magnificent…
or magnificently loud.
Where do they perform?
EVERYWHERE.
- Elections — they play for both sides
(never let politics get in the way of a gig) - Weddings
- County balls
- Funerals — with “The Dead March in Saul,”
because nothing comforts the grieving like a flute squeaking off-key.
The best bit?
When Ulysses S. Grant (former US President) visits Ireland, shakes MacNamara’s hand, and declares he’s never heard anything like it.
Which is almost certainly true.
Whether he meant it as a compliment is another question.
Now the band is practicing for a grand celebration:
- flags
- colours
- lads and lasses turning out
- probably pints afterward
- possibly during
MacNamara’s Band!
Charging ahead like a herd of musical donkeys.
In essence, the song is:
- bold
- loud
- cheerful
- full of bragging, boasting, and blather
- and SO VERY IRISH
As we’d say in Ireland:
They may not hit every note — but by heaven, they hit every eardrum.
Song Lyrics With Easy Guitar Chords In The Key Of G
[G]My name is Macnamara,
I'm the leader of a band,
And [C]though we're small in [G]number,
We're the [A7]best in all the [D7]land.
Of [G]course l'm the conductor
And l've often had to play
With[C] all the fine [G]musicians
That you]A7] read a[D7]bout to[G]day.
Chorus:
The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [[A7]And I the pipes does[D7] play.
[G]Hennessey tuteily tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland's boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara's [G]Band.
Whenever an election's on
We play on either side,
And the way we play the fine ould airs
Fills every heart with pride.
If dear Tom Moore was living now
He'd make them understand
That none can do him justice
Like ould Macnamara's Band.
Chorus.
We play for fairs or weddings
And for every County Ball,
And at any great man's funeral
We play "The Dead March in Saul."
When General Grant to Ireland came
He shook me by the hand,
And said he never heard the like
Of ould Macnamara's Band.
Chorus.
Just now we are practicing
For a very grand affair,
It's an annual celebration,
All the gentry will be there.
The girls and boys will all turn out
With flags and colours grand,
And in front of the procession
Will be Macnamara's Band.
Return to song listings from K-M
[G]My name is Macnamara,
I'm the leader of a band,
And [C]though we're small in [G]number,
We're the [A7]best in all the [D7]land.
Of [G]course l'm the conductor
And l've often had to play
With[C] all the fine [G]musicians
That you]A7] read a[D7]bout to[G]day.
Chorus:
The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [[A7]And I the pipes does[D7] play.
[G]Hennessey tuteily tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland's boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara's [G]Band.
Whenever an election's on
We play on either side,
And the way we play the fine ould airs
Fills every heart with pride.
If dear Tom Moore was living now
He'd make them understand
That none can do him justice
Like ould Macnamara's Band.
Chorus.
We play for fairs or weddings
And for every County Ball,
And at any great man's funeral
We play "The Dead March in Saul."
When General Grant to Ireland came
He shook me by the hand,
And said he never heard the like
Of ould Macnamara's Band.
Chorus.
Just now we are practicing
For a very grand affair,
It's an annual celebration,
All the gentry will be there.
The girls and boys will all turn out
With flags and colours grand,
And in front of the procession
Will be Macnamara's Band.
Return to song listings from K-M
this one’s a lively Irish favourite! 🎶
Here’s “MacNamara’s Band” with full chords clearly placed over every verse and chorus in G Major, ready for guitar, mandolin, or session play.
🎵 MacNamara’s Band(Traditional Irish Music Hall – Key of G Major)
[Verse 1][G]My name is MacNamara,
I'm the leader of a band,
And [C]though we're small in [G]number,
We're the [A7]best in all the [D7]land.
Of [G]course I’m the conductor,
And I’ve often had to play,
With [C]all the fine [G]musicians
That you [A7]read a[D7]bout to[G]day.
[Chorus]The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [A7]and I the pipes does [D7]play.
[G]Hennessey tootely tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland’s boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Verse 2][G]Whenever an election’s on,
We play on either side,
And the [C]way we play the [G]fine old airs
Fills [A7]every heart with [D7]pride.
If [G]dear Tom Moore was living now,
He’d make them understand,
That [C]none can do him [G]justice
Like ould [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Chorus]The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [A7]and I the pipes does [D7]play.
[G]Hennessey tootely tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland’s boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Verse 3][G]We play for fairs or weddings,
And for every county ball,
And at [C]any great man’s [G]funeral
We play [A7]“The Dead March in [D7]Saul.”
When [G]General Grant to Ireland came,
He shook me by the hand,
And [C]said he never [G]heard the like
Of ould [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Chorus]The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [A7]and I the pipes does [D7]play.
[G]Hennessey tootely tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland’s boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Verse 4][G]Just now we are practicing
For a very grand affair,
It’s an [C]annual celebra[G]tion,
All the [A7]gentry will be [D7]there.
The [G]girls and boys will all turn out,
With flags and colours grand,
And in [C]front of the [G]procession
Will be [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Final Chorus]The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [A7]and I the pipes does [D7]play.
[G]Hennessey tootely tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland’s boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band!
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (2/4 or quick 4/4 march feel)↓ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ | ↓ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
Keep it lively and bouncy — like a marching jig. Tempo around 110–120 BPM.
Here’s “MacNamara’s Band” with full chords clearly placed over every verse and chorus in G Major, ready for guitar, mandolin, or session play.
🎵 MacNamara’s Band(Traditional Irish Music Hall – Key of G Major)
[Verse 1][G]My name is MacNamara,
I'm the leader of a band,
And [C]though we're small in [G]number,
We're the [A7]best in all the [D7]land.
Of [G]course I’m the conductor,
And I’ve often had to play,
With [C]all the fine [G]musicians
That you [A7]read a[D7]bout to[G]day.
[Chorus]The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [A7]and I the pipes does [D7]play.
[G]Hennessey tootely tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland’s boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Verse 2][G]Whenever an election’s on,
We play on either side,
And the [C]way we play the [G]fine old airs
Fills [A7]every heart with [D7]pride.
If [G]dear Tom Moore was living now,
He’d make them understand,
That [C]none can do him [G]justice
Like ould [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Chorus]The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [A7]and I the pipes does [D7]play.
[G]Hennessey tootely tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland’s boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Verse 3][G]We play for fairs or weddings,
And for every county ball,
And at [C]any great man’s [G]funeral
We play [A7]“The Dead March in [D7]Saul.”
When [G]General Grant to Ireland came,
He shook me by the hand,
And [C]said he never [G]heard the like
Of ould [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Chorus]The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [A7]and I the pipes does [D7]play.
[G]Hennessey tootely tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland’s boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Verse 4][G]Just now we are practicing
For a very grand affair,
It’s an [C]annual celebra[G]tion,
All the [A7]gentry will be [D7]there.
The [G]girls and boys will all turn out,
With flags and colours grand,
And in [C]front of the [G]procession
Will be [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band.
[Final Chorus]The [G]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[C]carthy puffs the [G]ould bassoon,
Doyle [A7]and I the pipes does [D7]play.
[G]Hennessey tootely tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [C]credit to ould [G]Ireland’s boys
Is [A7]Macna[D7]mara’s [G]Band!
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (2/4 or quick 4/4 march feel)↓ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ | ↓ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
Keep it lively and bouncy — like a marching jig. Tempo around 110–120 BPM.
Alternative chords in the key of C Major.
[C]My name is Macnamara,
I'm the leader of a band,
And [F]though we're small in [C]number,
We're the [D7]best in all the [G7]land.
Of [C]course l'm the conductor
And l've often had to play
With[F] all the fine [C]musicians
That you[D7] read a[G7]bout to[C]day.
Chorus:
The [C]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[F]carthy puffs the [C]ould bassoon,
Doyle [D7]And I the pipes does[G7] play.
[C]Hennessey tuteily tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [F]credit to ould [C]Ireland's boys
Is [D7]Macna[G7]mara's [C]Band.
[C]My name is Macnamara,
I'm the leader of a band,
And [F]though we're small in [C]number,
We're the [D7]best in all the [G7]land.
Of [C]course l'm the conductor
And l've often had to play
With[F] all the fine [C]musicians
That you[D7] read a[G7]bout to[C]day.
Chorus:
The [C]drums they bang, the cymbals clang,
The horns they blaze away,
Ma[F]carthy puffs the [C]ould bassoon,
Doyle [D7]And I the pipes does[G7] play.
[C]Hennessey tuteily tootles the flute,
The music is something grand,
And a [F]credit to ould [C]Ireland's boys
Is [D7]Macna[G7]mara's [C]Band.
MacNamara's Band Sheet Music An Tin Whistle Notes
