Noreen Bawn Irish song Lyrics And Easy Chords

Noreen Bawn Irish song Lyrics And Chords

Noreen Bawn Irish Folk Song Lyrics And Easy Guitar Chords. The lyrics of verse 5 are seldom sang. A youtube video is included.A tragic song about emigration, the singer and accordion player is none other than the mighty Curtis McGee who plays the song in the key od A Major.. The song was also recorded by Dominic Kirwan, Jimmy Buckley, Philip English, Bridie Gallagher and D.J. Curtin and Irish country singer Paddy O'Brien .Noreen Bawn was composed by Neil Mc Bride from Feymore, Creeslough, Co. Donegal Ireland.

Noreen Bawn Lyrics And Chords

There's[D] a spot in[G] old Tir[D] conaell,there's a wee house in the[G] glen,
Where dwelt an fairest[D] colleen,who[E7] charmed the hearts of[A] men,
She was[D] winsome[G] hale and[D] hearty,shy and graceful as the[G] dawn,
Neighbors loved that widow's[D] daughter,happy [A7]laughing Noreen[D] Bawn.

[2]
Till one day there came a letter,with her passage paid to go,
To the land where the Missouri,and the Mississippi flows,
Then she said goodbye to Ireland,and next morning at the door,
That old mother broken hearted,bid farewell to Noreen Bawn.

[3]
Many years that mother waited,till one evening at the door,
Stood a gorgeous looking lady,costly were the clothes she wore,
Saying mother don't you know me,for I've only got a cold,
But those purple spots upon her cheeks,the tragic story's told.

[4]
There's a graveyard in Tir Conaill,where the blossoms sadly grow,
There's a sorrow stricken mother,kneeling o're that lonely grave.
My Noreen,oh my Noreen its lonesome since you've gone,
Twas the shame of emigration,laid you low my Noreen Bawn.

[5]
So now fair and tender maidens
ponder well before you go
from your humble homes in Erin
what's beyond you do not know
for what is gold and what is silver
when your health and strength are gone
when you think of emigrating
won't you think of Noreen Bawn.
Noreen Bawn Music Notes

Below is a complete guitar arrangement in D major, suitable for solo or group performance — with:
✅ Chords on all verses
✅ An authentic strumming pattern for Irish waltz feel
✅ A gentle fingerpicking intro tab (classic Irish ballad style)

🎶 Key: D Major

Tempo: ♩ = ~75–80 (slow Irish waltz, 3/4 time)

🎸 Chords Used
D xx0232
G 320003
A x02220
A7 x02020
E7 020100

🎵 Intro Fingerpicking Tab

Play this softly twice before the first verse — it sets the mood beautifully.
Use thumb for bass and fingers for melody/treble (3/4 time feel: bass → treble → treble).

D G A7 D
e|--------2-----------3-----------0-----------0-----------2---------|
B|------3---3-------0---0-------2---2-------2---2-------3---3-------|
G|----2-------2---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---2-------2-----|
D|--0-----------0-----------2-----------2-----------0---------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------0----------|
E|3---------------------------------------------------------------|

(Each measure = one full 3/4 bar; play gently and evenly.)

🪕 Strumming Pattern (Waltz Feel 3/4)

Pattern: ↓ ↓ ↑
Count: 1 2 3

Beat 1: Strong, single downstroke (bass note emphasis)

Beats 2–3: Light down-up sweep

Gives a “oom–cha–cha” rhythm typical of slow Irish airs🎸 FINGERPICKING PATTERN (3/4)Gentle waltz pick:
Beat: 1 2 3 Thumb: Bass - Bass/alt Fingers: I M I M
⭐ FULL ARRANGEMENT — 3 BARS PER LINE
[D]There's a spot in old Tir Conaell
e|--2-----2-----2-|--2-----2-----2-|--2-----2-----2-|
B|----3-----3-----|----3-----3-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--2-----2-----2-|--2-----2-----2-|--2-----2-----2-|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|
“there's a wee house in the glen”
vbnet
Copy code
[G]there's a wee house in the glen
e|--3-----3-----3-|--3-----3-----3-|--2-----2-----2-|
B|----0-----0-----|----0-----0-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--0-----0-----0-|--0-----0-----0-|--2-----2-----2-|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|
“Where dwelt the fairest colleen”
sql
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[D]Where dwelt the fairest colleen
e|--2-----2-----2-|--0-----0-----0-|--2-----2-----2-|
B|----3-----3-----|----2-----2-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--2-----2-----2-|--2-----2-----2-|--2-----2-----2-|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|
“who charmed the hearts of men”
lua
Copy code
[E7]who charmed the hearts of men
e|--0-----0-----0-|--0-----0-----0-|--0-----0-----0-|
B|----0-----0-----|----2-----2-----|----2-----2-----|
G|--1-----1-----1-|--2-----2-----2-|--2-----2-----2-|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|
⭐ VERSE 2
“She was winsome, hale and hearty”
lua
Copy code
[D]She was winsome, hale and hearty
e|--2-----2-----2-|--3-----3-----3-|--2-----2-----2-|
B|----3-----3-----|----0-----0-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--2-----2-----2-|--0-----0-----0-|--2-----2-----2-|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|
“shy and graceful as the dawn”
pgsql
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[G]shy and graceful as the dawn
e|--3-----3-----3-|--3-----3-----3-|--2-----2-----2-|
B|----0-----0-----|----0-----0-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--0-----0-----0-|--0-----0-----0-|--2-----2-----2-|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|
“Neighbors loved that widow’s daughter”
lua
Copy code
[D]Neighbors loved that widow’s daughter
e|--2-----2-----2-|--0-----0-----0-|--2-----2-----2-|
B|----3-----3-----|----2-----2-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--2-----2-----2-|--0-----0-----0-|--2-----2-----2-|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|
“happy laughing Noreen Bawn”
lua
Copy code
[A7]happy laughing Noreen Bawn
e|--0-----0-----0-|--0-----0-----0-|--2-----2-----2-|
B|----2-----2-----|----2-----2-----|----3-----3-----|
G|--0-----0-----0-|--0-----0-----0-|--2-----2-----2-|
D|----------------|----------------|----------------|
A|----------------|----------------|----------------|
E|----------------|----------------|----------------|

🎶 Lyrics with Full Chords
Verse 1

There's [D]a spot in [G]old Tir [D]Conaell,
there's a wee house in the [G]glen,
Where [D]dwelt the fairest [A]colleen,
who [E7]charmed the hearts of [A]men,
She was [D]winsome, [G]hale and [D]hearty,
shy and graceful as the [G]dawn,
Neighbors [D]loved that widow’s [A7]daughter,
happy [A7]laughing Noreen [D]Bawn.

Verse 2

Till one [D]day there came a [G]letter,
with her [D]passage paid to [G]go,
To the [D]land where the Miss[A]ouri,
and the [E7]Mississippi [A]flows,
Then she [D]said goodbye to [G]Ireland,
and next [D]morning at the [G]dawn,
That old [D]mother broken-[A7]hearted,
bid fare[A7]well to Noreen [D]Bawn.

Verse 3

Many [D]years that mother [G]waited,
till one [D]evening at the [G]door,
Stood a [D]gorgeous looking [A]lady,
costly [E7]were the clothes she [A]wore,
Saying [D]mother don’t you [G]know me,
for I’ve [D]only got a [G]cold,
But those [D]purple spots up[A7]on her cheeks,
the [A7]tragic story’s [D]told.

Verse 4

There’s a [D]graveyard in Tir [G]Conaill,
where the [D]blossoms sadly [G]grow,
There’s a [D]sorrow-stricken [A]mother,
kneeling [E7]o’er that lonely [A]grave,
“My [D]Noreen, oh my [G]Noreen,
it’s so [D]lonesome since you’ve [G]gone,
’Twas the [D]shame of emig[A7]ration,
laid you [A7]low my Noreen [D]Bawn.”

🎶 Ending

Finish softly by fingerpicking the last line, then slow down the final D chord and let it ring.

🎶 Key: G Major

Tempo: ♩ = ~75–80 (gentle Irish waltz)

🎸 Chords Used
G 320003
C x32010
D xx0232
D7 xx0212
A7 x02020
E7 020100

🎵 Intro Fingerpicking Tab

Play this softly once or twice before Verse 1.
Use a gentle thumb–finger roll (bass → middle → treble) to create a 3/4 rhythm.

G C D7 G
e|--------3-----------0-----------1-----------2---------3---------|
B|------0---0-------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----0---0-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0---2-------2---2-------2-0-------0-----|
D|----------------2-----------0-----------0------------------------|
A|--2-------------------------------------------------2-----------|
E|3---------------------------------------------------------------|

🪕 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Time – Waltz Feel)

Pattern: ↓ ↓ ↑
Count: 1 2 3

Beat 1: Downstroke on bass (root note focus)

Beats 2–3: Light down-up sweep

Think: oom–cha–cha

You can alternate between fingerpicking (verses) and strumming (final verse or build-up).

🎶 Lyrics with Chords (Key of G)
Verse 1

There’s [G]a spot in [C]old Tir [G]Conaell,
there’s a wee house in the [C]glen,
Where [G]dwelt the fairest [D]colleen,
who [E7]charmed the hearts of [A7]men,
She was [G]winsome, [C]hale and [G]hearty,
shy and graceful as the [C]dawn,
Neighbors [G]loved that widow’s [D7]daughter,
happy [A7]laughing Noreen [G]Bawn.

Verse 2

Till one [G]day there came a [C]letter,
with her [G]passage paid to [C]go,
To the [G]land where the Miss[D]ouri,
and the [E7]Mississippi [A7]flows,
Then she [G]said goodbye to [C]Ireland,
and next [G]morning at the [C]dawn,
That old [G]mother broken-[D7]hearted,
bid fare[A7]well to Noreen [G]Bawn.

Verse 3

Many [G]years that mother [C]waited,
till one [G]evening at the [C]door,
Stood a [G]gorgeous looking [D]lady,
costly [E7]were the clothes she [A7]wore,
Saying [G]mother don’t you [C]know me,
for I’ve [G]only got a [C]cold,
But those [G]purple spots up[D7]on her cheeks,
the [A7]tragic story’s [G]told.

Verse 4

There’s a [G]graveyard in Tir [C]Conaill,
where the [G]blossoms sadly [C]grow,
There’s a [G]sorrow-stricken [D]mother,
kneeling [E7]o’er that lonely [A7]grave,
“My [G]Noreen, oh my [C]Noreen,
it’s so [G]lonesome since you’ve [C]gone,
’Twas the [G]shame of emig[D7]ration,
laid you [A7]low my Noreen [G]Bawn.”

🎶 Ending Suggestion

After the final line:

"Laid you low my Noreen Bawn"

→ Fingerpick the last G chord, then gently play:

G → C → G (hold)

Let that final G ring out slowly — it gives a traditional closing cadence.

Jimmy Buckley Song Noreen Bawn

Guitar chords for the key of G Major.

There's[G] a spot in[C] old Tir[G] conaell,there's a wee house in the[C] glen,
Where dwelt an fairest[G] colleen,who[A7] charmed the hearts of[D] men,
She was[G] winsome[C] hale and[G] hearty,shy and graceful as the[C] dawn,
Neighbors loved that widow's[G] daughter,happy [D7]laughing Noreen[G] Bawn.

Noreen Bawn

Vincent Gallagher From Donegal-tHE aLBUM
16 "far away fields are green", then there is no one who can relate more readily and easily to this maxim than Vincent Gallagher.
Born in Loughros Point, Ardara, County Donegal, Vince emigrated to the United States in 1968, where, over the years, he has grown to personify Irish culture and heritage here in America. For, not only has he proved that hard work reaps rewards in the managing of his landscaping business, but the same spirit of commitment and dedication can produce an accomplished, talented, versatile musician and vocalist who is enjoyed and respected by the masses of Irish music lovers here in the United States.
Entrenched in his deep and patriotic love of his native country, Vince found great contentment in the singing and playing of Irish music, and soon found himself in demand at functions and festivals throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. In 1981, convinced by his ardent supporters to release his first 'single', Vince was soon to find that his potential could no longer be restricted to two songs. As a result, in 1982, inspired by his continual success, he produced his first album which will be promoted on his 1983 tour of Ireland with the Tommy Moffit Trio.

It is a spirited musical representation of a variety of traits peculiar to the Irish Nation, expressing emotions to which we can all identify. The familiarity of our roused nationalist feelings is exemplified in "The Irish Rebel's Grave", acquired from Vince's brother John, and the authenticity of "The Hometown That I left in Donegal", written by fellow immigrant and life-time friend Denis McClafferty. From the sombre theme of "Sean Larkin" recalling his execution on St. Patrick's Day, 1923, to the old traditional waltz in the "Cabin With The Roses Round the Door" given to Vince by another Irishman, the late Barney Carlin, we experienced the full range of Vince's musical expression. But, experience is the best teacher', so when you experience the melodious joy of the voice reminiscent of the poetic Irish minstrel, see if you too do not agree that our pastures are greener, our winters warmer, and life a little bit more tolerable when we partake of a "little piece of the Old Country" in the form of "Vincent Gallagher and Friends".
Some of his hit songs include,
Cabin with the Roses
Round the Door.
Hometown I Left in Donegal.
Old Log Cabin For Sale.
Noreen Bawn
Island of Newfoundland.
Sean Larkin.
Four Country Roads.
Donegal Shore.
Trish Rebel's Grove.
In the County Donegal.
Merry Ploughboy

"Noreen Bawn" is a beautiful and sentimental Irish folk song that expresses longing, love, and loss. The song tells the story of a young man who is deeply in love with a woman named Noreen Bawn but faces the pain of separation, likely due to circumstances beyond their control, such as distance, social expectations, or even death.
Meaning of the Song:

Unrequited Love and Heartbreak
- The central theme of "Noreen Bawn" revolves around the pain of unrequited love or the separation between two people who are deeply in love but unable to be together. The narrator expresses his emotional longing for Noreen, reflecting the sorrow and heartache that often accompany love lost or unfulfilled.
Nostalgia and Loss
- The song is infused with a sense of nostalgia, as the narrator looks back on a time when he was close to Noreen. The name "Bawn" (meaning "fair" or "blonde" in Irish) symbolizes beauty and purity, making Noreen an idealized figure in the narrator’s eyes. The lyrics evoke a sense of yearning for a lost connection, enhancing the bittersweet nature of the song.
Separation and Social Circumstances
- While the song doesn't explicitly describe the reason for their separation, it implies that it may be due to social pressures or life circumstances that prevent the couple from being together. The song hints at the emotional toll these separations take on individuals, especially in a small rural community where such situations are often heart-wrenching.
Irish Folk Tradition of Storytelling
- Like many Irish ballads, "Noreen Bawn" is a folk song steeped in storytelling tradition. It captures the essence of love and loss through its vivid lyrics and melancholic melody. The song’s structure and themes are typical of Irish folk music, which often deals with matters of love, betrayal, longing, and the passing of time.
A Symbol of Irish Identity
- The song also represents Irish themes of rural life, deep connections to one’s community, and the enduring nature of love, even when separated by time or circumstance. It reflects the emotional richness found in Irish folk music, where love and loss are recurring themes.