Michael Collins Lyrics And Chords
Written by Derek Warfield .Formally of The Wolfe Tones ,Derek went solo a few years ago . I think this is his best song ever . The chords are set to the key of F as this is the key the Wolfe Tones play the song in, but I have also given the chords in an easy version of G. Michael Collins Lyrics And Chords by Johnny McEvoy is another tribute song to this famous Cork man.
This song is a tribute to Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary who reorganized the Irish Republican Brotherhood and led a brilliant guerrilla war against the British after World War I. He forced them to the bargaining table in 1922 to sign the Anglo-Irish Treaty which freed most of Ireland from centuries of British rule. But for many of his former comrades in arms, most (26 of Ireland's 32 counties) wasn't good enough. While Collins believed that the com- promise was the best that could be done for Ireland at that time, others felt betrayed. Collins realized the danger when he wrote, "Will anyone be happy with this treaty? I think I have signed my own death warrant". Shortly after, he was shot from ambush and died on a country road in West Cork. He was 31 years old.
Come listen all me true men to my simple rhyme
For it tells of a young man cut off in his prime
A soldier and a statesman who laid down the lay
And who died by the roadside in Lone Beal Na Bla
When barley sixteen to England crossed ore
For to work as a boy in a government store
But the volunteers call he could not disobey
So he came back to Dublin to join in the fray
[Chorus]
At Easter nineteen sixteen when Pearse called them out
The men from the Dublin battalion roved out
And in the post office they nobly did show
How a handful of heroes could outfight the foe
To Stafford and jails transported they were
As prisoners of England they soon made a stir
Released before Christmas and home once again
He branded old comrades together to train
Dail Eireann assembled our rights to proclaim
Suppressed by the English you'd think it a shame
How Ireland's best and bravest were harried and torn
From the arms of their loved ones and children new born
[Repeat chorus]
For years Mick eluded their soldiers and spies
For he was the master of clever disguise
With the Custom house blazing she found t'was no use
And soon mother England had asked for a truce
Oh when will the young men a sad lesson spurn
That brother on brother they never should turn
Alas that a split in our ranks 'ere we saw
Mick Collins stretched lifeless in lone Beal na Bla
[Repeat chorus]
Oh when will old Ireland be seeking in vain
Ere we find a new leader to match the man slain
A true son of Grainne his name lone will shine
O gallant Mick Collins cut off in his prime
For it tells of a young man cut off in his prime
A soldier and a statesman who laid down the lay
And who died by the roadside in Lone Beal Na Bla
When barley sixteen to England crossed ore
For to work as a boy in a government store
But the volunteers call he could not disobey
So he came back to Dublin to join in the fray
[Chorus]
At Easter nineteen sixteen when Pearse called them out
The men from the Dublin battalion roved out
And in the post office they nobly did show
How a handful of heroes could outfight the foe
To Stafford and jails transported they were
As prisoners of England they soon made a stir
Released before Christmas and home once again
He branded old comrades together to train
Dail Eireann assembled our rights to proclaim
Suppressed by the English you'd think it a shame
How Ireland's best and bravest were harried and torn
From the arms of their loved ones and children new born
[Repeat chorus]
For years Mick eluded their soldiers and spies
For he was the master of clever disguise
With the Custom house blazing she found t'was no use
And soon mother England had asked for a truce
Oh when will the young men a sad lesson spurn
That brother on brother they never should turn
Alas that a split in our ranks 'ere we saw
Mick Collins stretched lifeless in lone Beal na Bla
[Repeat chorus]
Oh when will old Ireland be seeking in vain
Ere we find a new leader to match the man slain
A true son of Grainne his name lone will shine
O gallant Mick Collins cut off in his prime
Here's an easy version of the chords.
Come[G] listen all me true men to[C] my simple[G] rhyme
For it tells of a [Em]joung man cut off in his [D]prime
A[G] soldier and a statesman who[C] laid down the[G] lay
And who died by the [Em]roadside in [C]Lone Beal Na[G] Bla
When [G]barely sixteen to [C]England crossed [G]ore
For to work as a [Em]boy in a government [D]store
But the [G]volunteers call he could [C]not diso[G]bey
So he came back to [Em]Dublin to [D]join in the [G]fray
[chorus]
At[D] easter nineteen sixteen when[G] Pearse called them[D] out
The men from the [G]Dublin battalion roved[D] out
And[G] in the post office they[C] nobley did[G] show
How a handful of [Em]heros could[D] outfight the[G] foe
Come[G] listen all me true men to[C] my simple[G] rhyme
For it tells of a [Em]joung man cut off in his [D]prime
A[G] soldier and a statesman who[C] laid down the[G] lay
And who died by the [Em]roadside in [C]Lone Beal Na[G] Bla
When [G]barely sixteen to [C]England crossed [G]ore
For to work as a [Em]boy in a government [D]store
But the [G]volunteers call he could [C]not diso[G]bey
So he came back to [Em]Dublin to [D]join in the [G]fray
[chorus]
At[D] easter nineteen sixteen when[G] Pearse called them[D] out
The men from the [G]Dublin battalion roved[D] out
And[G] in the post office they[C] nobley did[G] show
How a handful of [Em]heros could[D] outfight the[G] foe
✅ A strumming pattern (folk waltz feel)
✅ A fingerpicking tab for the first verse and chorus
🎵 The Ballad of Michael Collins
Key: G Major
Time: 3/4 (waltz time)
Tempo: Moderate folk ballad (≈ 85 bpm)
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4)
A gentle Irish waltz rhythm:
Bass – Down – Up
(Counted as 1 2 3)
Alternate the bass note (root / fifth) for a flowing, traditional feel.
Example:
G: 6th string (G), then 4th string (D)
C: 5th string (C), then 4th string (E)
D: 4th string (D), then 5th string (A)
Em: 6th string (E), then 4th string (B)
🎶 Lyrics with Chords
Verse 1
Come [G]listen all me true men to [C]my simple [G]rhyme,
For it tells of a [Em]young man cut off in his [D]prime,
A [G]soldier and a statesman who [C]laid down the [G]law,
And who died by the [Em]roadside in [C]Lone Beal na [G]Blá.
Verse 2
When [G]barely sixteen to [C]England crossed [G]o’er,
For to work as a [Em]boy in a government [D]store,
But the [G]volunteers’ call he could [C]not diso[G]bey,
So he came back to [Em]Dublin to [D]join in the [G]fray.
Chorus
At [D]Easter nineteen sixteen when [G]Pearse called them [D]out,
The men from the [G]Dublin battalion roved [D]out,
And [G]in the Post Office they [C]nobly did [G]show,
How a handful of [Em]heroes could [D]outfight the [G]foe.
Verse 3
To [G]Stafford and jails transported they [C]were,
As [G]prisoners of England they [Em]soon made a [D]stir,
Re[G]leased before Christmas and [C]home once a[G]gain,
He [Em]banded old [D]comrades to [G]train.
Verse 4
Dáil [G]Éireann assembled our [C]rights to pro[G]claim,
Sup[Em]pressed by the English, you’d [D]think it a shame,
How [G]Ireland’s best and [C]bravest were [G]harried and torn,
From the [Em]arms of their [D]loved ones and [G]children new born.
(Repeat chorus)
Verse 5
For [G]years Mick eluded their [C]soldiers and [G]spies,
For he [Em]was the master of [D]clever disguise,
With the [G]Custom House blazing she [C]found ’twas no [G]use,
And [Em]soon Mother [D]England had [G]asked for a truce.
Verse 6
Oh [G]when will the young men a [C]sad lesson [G]spurn,
That [Em]brother on brother they [D]never should turn,
A[G]las that a split in our [C]ranks e’er we [G]saw,
Mick [Em]Collins stretched [D]lifeless in [C]Lone Beal na [G]Blá.
(Repeat chorus)
Verse 7
Oh [G]when will old Ireland be [C]seeking in [G]vain,
Ere we [Em]find a new leader to [D]match the man slain,
A [G]true son of Gráinne his [C]name long will [G]shine,
O [Em]gallant Mick [D]Collins cut [C]off in his [G]prime.
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse & Chorus)
Pattern (3/4 time):
T = Thumb, I = Index, M = Middle, R = Ring
Each measure: T – I – M – R
First Verse (fingerpicked)
[G]
e|-------3-----------3-----------3-----------3---|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-3-----------2-----------3-----------2---------|
Come listen all me true men to my simple rhyme
[C]
e|-------0-----------0-----------0-----------0---|
B|-----1---1-------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-3-----------2-----------3-----------2---------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
For it tells of a young man cut off in his prime
[Em]
e|-------0-----------0-----------0-----------0---|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-2-----------2-----------2-----------2---------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
A soldier and a statesman who laid down the law
[C] [G]
e|-------0-----------0-----------3-----------3---|
B|-----1---1-------1---1-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-3-----------2-----------2-----------2---------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
And who died by the roadside in Lone Beal na Blá
Chorus (fingerpicked)
[D]
e|-------2-----------2-----------2-----------2---|
B|-----3---3-------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-|
G|---2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---2-------|
D|-0-----------4-----------0-----------4---------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
At Easter nineteen sixteen when Pearse called them out
[G]
e|-------3-----------3-----------3-----------3---|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-3-----------2-----------3-----------2---------|
The men from the Dublin battalion roved out
[C]
e|-------0-----------0-----------0-----------0---|
B|-----1---1-------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-3-----------2-----------3-----------2---------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
And in the Post Office they nobly did show
[Em] [D] [G]
e|-------0-----------0-----------2-----------3---|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------3---3-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---2-------2---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-2-----------2-----------0-----------2---------|
E|--------------------------------3--------------|
How a handful of heroes could outfight the foe
✅ A fingerpicking tab for the first verse and chorus
🎵 The Ballad of Michael Collins
Key: G Major
Time: 3/4 (waltz time)
Tempo: Moderate folk ballad (≈ 85 bpm)
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4)
A gentle Irish waltz rhythm:
Bass – Down – Up
(Counted as 1 2 3)
Alternate the bass note (root / fifth) for a flowing, traditional feel.
Example:
G: 6th string (G), then 4th string (D)
C: 5th string (C), then 4th string (E)
D: 4th string (D), then 5th string (A)
Em: 6th string (E), then 4th string (B)
🎶 Lyrics with Chords
Verse 1
Come [G]listen all me true men to [C]my simple [G]rhyme,
For it tells of a [Em]young man cut off in his [D]prime,
A [G]soldier and a statesman who [C]laid down the [G]law,
And who died by the [Em]roadside in [C]Lone Beal na [G]Blá.
Verse 2
When [G]barely sixteen to [C]England crossed [G]o’er,
For to work as a [Em]boy in a government [D]store,
But the [G]volunteers’ call he could [C]not diso[G]bey,
So he came back to [Em]Dublin to [D]join in the [G]fray.
Chorus
At [D]Easter nineteen sixteen when [G]Pearse called them [D]out,
The men from the [G]Dublin battalion roved [D]out,
And [G]in the Post Office they [C]nobly did [G]show,
How a handful of [Em]heroes could [D]outfight the [G]foe.
Verse 3
To [G]Stafford and jails transported they [C]were,
As [G]prisoners of England they [Em]soon made a [D]stir,
Re[G]leased before Christmas and [C]home once a[G]gain,
He [Em]banded old [D]comrades to [G]train.
Verse 4
Dáil [G]Éireann assembled our [C]rights to pro[G]claim,
Sup[Em]pressed by the English, you’d [D]think it a shame,
How [G]Ireland’s best and [C]bravest were [G]harried and torn,
From the [Em]arms of their [D]loved ones and [G]children new born.
(Repeat chorus)
Verse 5
For [G]years Mick eluded their [C]soldiers and [G]spies,
For he [Em]was the master of [D]clever disguise,
With the [G]Custom House blazing she [C]found ’twas no [G]use,
And [Em]soon Mother [D]England had [G]asked for a truce.
Verse 6
Oh [G]when will the young men a [C]sad lesson [G]spurn,
That [Em]brother on brother they [D]never should turn,
A[G]las that a split in our [C]ranks e’er we [G]saw,
Mick [Em]Collins stretched [D]lifeless in [C]Lone Beal na [G]Blá.
(Repeat chorus)
Verse 7
Oh [G]when will old Ireland be [C]seeking in [G]vain,
Ere we [Em]find a new leader to [D]match the man slain,
A [G]true son of Gráinne his [C]name long will [G]shine,
O [Em]gallant Mick [D]Collins cut [C]off in his [G]prime.
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse & Chorus)
Pattern (3/4 time):
T = Thumb, I = Index, M = Middle, R = Ring
Each measure: T – I – M – R
First Verse (fingerpicked)
[G]
e|-------3-----------3-----------3-----------3---|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-3-----------2-----------3-----------2---------|
Come listen all me true men to my simple rhyme
[C]
e|-------0-----------0-----------0-----------0---|
B|-----1---1-------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-3-----------2-----------3-----------2---------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
For it tells of a young man cut off in his prime
[Em]
e|-------0-----------0-----------0-----------0---|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-2-----------2-----------2-----------2---------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
A soldier and a statesman who laid down the law
[C] [G]
e|-------0-----------0-----------3-----------3---|
B|-----1---1-------1---1-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-3-----------2-----------2-----------2---------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
And who died by the roadside in Lone Beal na Blá
Chorus (fingerpicked)
[D]
e|-------2-----------2-----------2-----------2---|
B|-----3---3-------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-|
G|---2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---2-------|
D|-0-----------4-----------0-----------4---------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
At Easter nineteen sixteen when Pearse called them out
[G]
e|-------3-----------3-----------3-----------3---|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-3-----------2-----------3-----------2---------|
The men from the Dublin battalion roved out
[C]
e|-------0-----------0-----------0-----------0---|
B|-----1---1-------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-3-----------2-----------3-----------2---------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
And in the Post Office they nobly did show
[Em] [D] [G]
e|-------0-----------0-----------2-----------3---|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------3---3-------0---0-|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---2-------2---0-------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-2-----------2-----------0-----------2---------|
E|--------------------------------3--------------|
How a handful of heroes could outfight the foe
The image link above takes you to the sheet music for Michael Collins by The Wolfe Tones.
Michael Collins lyrics by The Wolfe Tones
Here's the guitar chords as played by The Wolfe Tones.
The intro.
F Bb F Dm C F
Come[F] listen all me true men to[Bb] my simple[F] rhyme
For it tells of a [Dm]joung man cut off in his [C]prime
A[F]] soldier and a statesman who[Bb]] laid down the[F] lay
And who died by the [Dm]roadside in [Bb]Lone Beal Na[F] Bla
When [F]barely sixteen to [Bb]England crossed [F]ore
For to work as a [Dm]boy in a government [C]store
But the [F]volunteers call he could [Bb]not diso[F]bey
So he came back to [Dm]Dublin to [C]join in the [F]fray
[Chorus]
At[C] easter nineteen sixteen when[F] Pearse called them[C] out
The men from the [F]Dublin battalion roved[C] out
And[F] in the post office they[Bb] nobley did[F] show
How a handful of [Dm]heros could[C] outfight the[F] foe
The intro.
F Bb F Dm C F
Come[F] listen all me true men to[Bb] my simple[F] rhyme
For it tells of a [Dm]joung man cut off in his [C]prime
A[F]] soldier and a statesman who[Bb]] laid down the[F] lay
And who died by the [Dm]roadside in [Bb]Lone Beal Na[F] Bla
When [F]barely sixteen to [Bb]England crossed [F]ore
For to work as a [Dm]boy in a government [C]store
But the [F]volunteers call he could [Bb]not diso[F]bey
So he came back to [Dm]Dublin to [C]join in the [F]fray
[Chorus]
At[C] easter nineteen sixteen when[F] Pearse called them[C] out
The men from the [F]Dublin battalion roved[C] out
And[F] in the post office they[Bb] nobley did[F] show
How a handful of [Dm]heros could[C] outfight the[F] foe
This photo of Michael Collins is from a speech he gave in Armagh City.
