Nancy Whiskey Lyrics And Guitar Chords
Nancy Whiskey fingerstyle guitar tab now added. A traditional Scottish song that made it's way to Ireland through the singing of The Dubliners and was later covered by Shane MacGowan And The Popes. Also recorded by Irish / American group Gaelic Storm. This version here is The Popes version except Shane sings it in the key of G Major but I sing it in the key of D Major. Tin Whistle Notes. There's a whole raft of songs on the site that have the name ''Whiskey'' in the title. Whiskey In The Jar [ lyrics ] is the most popular Irish folk song of all time.
As[D] I went down through [G]Glasgow [D]city
Just to see what I [G]might[A] spy
[D]What should I see but [G]Nancy[A] Whiskey
A [D]playful twinkle [G]in her [A]eye
[D]Whiskey, Whiskey,[A] Nancy[D] Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey,[A] Nancy [D]Ohh
I bought her, I drank her, I had another
Ran out of money, so I did steal
She ran me ragged, Nancy Whiskey
For seven years, a rollin' wheel
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
The more I held her, the more I loved her
Nancy had her spell on me
All I knew was lovely Nancy
The things I needed I could not see
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
As I awoke to slake my thirst
As I tried crawling from my bed
I fell down flat, I could not stagger
Nancy had me by the legs
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
Come on landlandy, what's the owing
Tell me what there is to pay
Fifteen shillings that's the reckoning
Now pay me quickly and go away Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
Just to see what I [G]might[A] spy
[D]What should I see but [G]Nancy[A] Whiskey
A [D]playful twinkle [G]in her [A]eye
[D]Whiskey, Whiskey,[A] Nancy[D] Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey,[A] Nancy [D]Ohh
I bought her, I drank her, I had another
Ran out of money, so I did steal
She ran me ragged, Nancy Whiskey
For seven years, a rollin' wheel
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
The more I held her, the more I loved her
Nancy had her spell on me
All I knew was lovely Nancy
The things I needed I could not see
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
As I awoke to slake my thirst
As I tried crawling from my bed
I fell down flat, I could not stagger
Nancy had me by the legs
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
Come on landlandy, what's the owing
Tell me what there is to pay
Fifteen shillings that's the reckoning
Now pay me quickly and go away Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
Chords in the key of G.
🎵 Key: G Major
🔹 Verse Progression (simplified)
Each verse follows the same structure:
[G] As I went down through [G] Glasgow [G] city
Just to see what I [G] might [G] spy
[G] What should I see but [G] Nancy [G] Whiskey
A [G] playful twinkle [G] in her [G] eye
🔹 Chorus
[G] Whiskey, Whiskey, [G] Nancy [G] Whiskey
[G] Whiskey, Whiskey, [G] Nancy [G] Ohh
🎸 Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
A lively folk rhythm — works great for Irish-style pub tempo or acoustic singalong.
Pattern:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Count:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
Feel:
Play the first downstroke with emphasis (bass note).
Keep the middle upstrokes light and bouncy — imagine a bodhrán beat driving the song.
Optionally mute the upstroke on beat 4& to give a punchy stop before chord changes.
🎶 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse + Chorus)
This version keeps the G chord shape throughout with a Travis-picking pattern (steady thumb alternating between 6th and 4th strings).
Tempo: ♩ = 90 bpm
Time: 4/4
Verse 1
G
e|---------3-----------3-|---------3-----------3-|
B|-----0-----------0-----|-----0-----------0-----|
G|---0---0-------0---0---|---0---0-------0---0---|
D|-----------------------|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|-----------------------|
E|-3-----------2---------|-3-----------2---------|
As I went down through Glasgow city
(Repeat same pattern for remaining verse lines)
You can repeat that same bar shape for each lyric line — just focus on a gentle pulse and clear bass movement.
Chorus Fingerpicking (same G chord)
Chorus
G
e|---------3-----------3-|---------3-----------3-|
B|-----0-----------0-----|-----0-----------0-----|
G|---0---0-------0---0---|---0---0-------0---0---|
D|-----------------------|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|-----------------------|
E|-3-----------2---------|-3-----------2---------|
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
G
e|---------3-----------3-|---------3-----------3-|
B|-----0-----------0-----|-----0-----------0-----|
G|---0---0-------0---0---|---0---0-------0---0---|
D|-----------------------|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|-----------------------|
E|-3-----------2---------|-3-----------2---------|
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
💡 Performance Tips
Verses: Fingerpick softly for intimacy (like a story being told).
Chorus: Transition to strumming with the pattern above for lift and energy.
Consider adding a light bass run between sections (e.g., G–F#–E–D on the 6th string) for variation.
🎵 Key: G Major
🔹 Verse Progression (simplified)
Each verse follows the same structure:
[G] As I went down through [G] Glasgow [G] city
Just to see what I [G] might [G] spy
[G] What should I see but [G] Nancy [G] Whiskey
A [G] playful twinkle [G] in her [G] eye
🔹 Chorus
[G] Whiskey, Whiskey, [G] Nancy [G] Whiskey
[G] Whiskey, Whiskey, [G] Nancy [G] Ohh
🎸 Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
A lively folk rhythm — works great for Irish-style pub tempo or acoustic singalong.
Pattern:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Count:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
Feel:
Play the first downstroke with emphasis (bass note).
Keep the middle upstrokes light and bouncy — imagine a bodhrán beat driving the song.
Optionally mute the upstroke on beat 4& to give a punchy stop before chord changes.
🎶 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse + Chorus)
This version keeps the G chord shape throughout with a Travis-picking pattern (steady thumb alternating between 6th and 4th strings).
Tempo: ♩ = 90 bpm
Time: 4/4
Verse 1
G
e|---------3-----------3-|---------3-----------3-|
B|-----0-----------0-----|-----0-----------0-----|
G|---0---0-------0---0---|---0---0-------0---0---|
D|-----------------------|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|-----------------------|
E|-3-----------2---------|-3-----------2---------|
As I went down through Glasgow city
(Repeat same pattern for remaining verse lines)
You can repeat that same bar shape for each lyric line — just focus on a gentle pulse and clear bass movement.
Chorus Fingerpicking (same G chord)
Chorus
G
e|---------3-----------3-|---------3-----------3-|
B|-----0-----------0-----|-----0-----------0-----|
G|---0---0-------0---0---|---0---0-------0---0---|
D|-----------------------|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|-----------------------|
E|-3-----------2---------|-3-----------2---------|
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
G
e|---------3-----------3-|---------3-----------3-|
B|-----0-----------0-----|-----0-----------0-----|
G|---0---0-------0---0---|---0---0-------0---0---|
D|-----------------------|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|-----------------------|
E|-3-----------2---------|-3-----------2---------|
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
💡 Performance Tips
Verses: Fingerpick softly for intimacy (like a story being told).
Chorus: Transition to strumming with the pattern above for lift and energy.
Consider adding a light bass run between sections (e.g., G–F#–E–D on the 6th string) for variation.
Here's the guitar chords for the key of C.
As[C] I went down through [F]Glasgow [C]city
Just to see what I [F]might[G] spy
[C]What should I see but [F]Nancy[G] Whiskey
A [C]playful twinkle [F]in her [G]eye
[C]Whiskey, Whiskey,[G] Nancy[C] Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey,[G] Nancy [C]Ohh
As[C] I went down through [F]Glasgow [C]city
Just to see what I [F]might[G] spy
[C]What should I see but [F]Nancy[G] Whiskey
A [C]playful twinkle [F]in her [G]eye
[C]Whiskey, Whiskey,[G] Nancy[C] Whiskey
Whiskey, Whiskey,[G] Nancy [C]Ohh
Nancy Whiskey fingerstyle guitar tab
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
Shane MacGowan of The Pogues
