Patsy Fagan Lyrics And Chords by The Irish Rovers
The sheet music is included.The lyrics and chords fit the Irish Rovers’ version of this song. Other version use sometimes slightly different words examples of which are given in brackets. The songwriter is Michael Donovan. The first version of the sheet music is from 1948,
Use a capo on the 2nd fret to change key to E major. Recorded in Ireland by Dessie O'Halloran who had a mighty hit with Sharon Shannon playing Say You Love Me Song, and recently recorded by Irish country singer Derek Ryan..
Use a capo on the 2nd fret to change key to E major. Recorded in Ireland by Dessie O'Halloran who had a mighty hit with Sharon Shannon playing Say You Love Me Song, and recently recorded by Irish country singer Derek Ryan..
Intro: D-D-A-D
Chorus
"He(D)llo Patsy Fagan" you can (A7)hear the girls all (D)cry
"Hel(D)lo Patsy Fagan, you're the (A)apple (E)of me (A)eye
You're a (D)dacent boy from Ireland, there's no one can de(G)ny
You're a (D)rarem tarem divil may carem, (A)dacent Irish (D)boy" -A-D
I'm (D)workin' here in Glasgow, I've (A)got a dacent (D)job
(D)Carrying bricks and mortar and me (A)pay is (E)fifteen (A)bob
I (D)rise up in the mornin', I get up with the (G)lark
And as (D)I'm walkin' down the street, you can (A)hear the girls re(D)mark
Chorus
Well the (D)day that I left Ireland, 'twas (A7)many months (years) a(D)go
I (D)left me home in Ulster(Antrim) where the (A)pigs and (E)praties (A)grow
But (D)since I left auld Ireland, it's always been my (G)plan
To (D)let you people see that I'm a (A)dacent Irish(D)man
Chorus
Now (D)if there's one among you who would (A7)like to marry (D)me
I'll (D)take her to a little home a(A)cross the (E)Irish (A)Sea
I'll (D)dress her up in satin and I’ll please her all I (G)can
And (D)let her people see that I'm a (A)dacent Irish(D)man
Chorus
Chorus
"He(D)llo Patsy Fagan" you can (A7)hear the girls all (D)cry
"Hel(D)lo Patsy Fagan, you're the (A)apple (E)of me (A)eye
You're a (D)dacent boy from Ireland, there's no one can de(G)ny
You're a (D)rarem tarem divil may carem, (A)dacent Irish (D)boy" -A-D
I'm (D)workin' here in Glasgow, I've (A)got a dacent (D)job
(D)Carrying bricks and mortar and me (A)pay is (E)fifteen (A)bob
I (D)rise up in the mornin', I get up with the (G)lark
And as (D)I'm walkin' down the street, you can (A)hear the girls re(D)mark
Chorus
Well the (D)day that I left Ireland, 'twas (A7)many months (years) a(D)go
I (D)left me home in Ulster(Antrim) where the (A)pigs and (E)praties (A)grow
But (D)since I left auld Ireland, it's always been my (G)plan
To (D)let you people see that I'm a (A)dacent Irish(D)man
Chorus
Now (D)if there's one among you who would (A7)like to marry (D)me
I'll (D)take her to a little home a(A)cross the (E)Irish (A)Sea
I'll (D)dress her up in satin and I’ll please her all I (G)can
And (D)let her people see that I'm a (A)dacent Irish(D)man
Chorus
🎸 **Key:** D Major
🎵 **Tempo:** ~95 bpm (Irish pub swing)
🪘 **Time Signature:** 4/4
---
### 🎸 Strumming Pattern (Irish Pub Feel)
> **Pattern:** ↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
> Count: 1 2& &3&4
> - Keep it bouncy — slight accent on beats 2 and 4
> - Works well with palm-muted bass on beat 1 for rhythmic drive
---
### 🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern (Alternate Bass)
> **Pattern (per bar):** p – i – m – a – m – i
> - Thumb alternates bass strings:
> - D chord → 4th / 5th
> - A7 chord → 5th / 4th
> - G chord → 6th / 4th
---
## 🎵 Chorus
**"He(D)llo Patsy Fagan" you can (A7)hear the girls all (D)cry**
```
D A7 D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-----------------0-----------0---|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**"Hel(D)lo Patsy Fagan, you're the (A)apple (E)of me (A)eye"**
```
D A E
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---1-----1-----1-----1-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**You're a (D)dacent boy from Ireland, there's no one can de(G)ny**
```
D G D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**You're a (D)rarem tarem divil may carem, (A)dacent Irish (D)boy"**
```
D A D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Verse 1
**I'm (D)workin' here in Glasgow, I've (A)got a dacent (D)job**
```
D A D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**(D)Carrying bricks and mortar and me (A)pay is (E)fifteen (A)bob**
```
D A E
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---1-----1-----1-----1-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**I (D)rise up in the mornin', I get up with the (G)lark**
```
D G D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**And as (D)I'm walkin' down the street, you can (A)hear the girls re(D)mark**
```
D A D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
### 💡 Playing Tips
- For **pub sessions**, use strumming (↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑) throughout for energy.
- For a **solo storytelling version**, use the fingerpicking pattern — it keeps the bounce without overpowering the vocal.
- Add a **bass run (D–E–F#–G)** between D and G chords in the verse for a lively Irish lilt.
- End each chorus with a bright **D major arpeggio** and let it ring.
🎵 **Tempo:** ~95 bpm (Irish pub swing)
🪘 **Time Signature:** 4/4
---
### 🎸 Strumming Pattern (Irish Pub Feel)
> **Pattern:** ↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
> Count: 1 2& &3&4
> - Keep it bouncy — slight accent on beats 2 and 4
> - Works well with palm-muted bass on beat 1 for rhythmic drive
---
### 🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern (Alternate Bass)
> **Pattern (per bar):** p – i – m – a – m – i
> - Thumb alternates bass strings:
> - D chord → 4th / 5th
> - A7 chord → 5th / 4th
> - G chord → 6th / 4th
---
## 🎵 Chorus
**"He(D)llo Patsy Fagan" you can (A7)hear the girls all (D)cry**
```
D A7 D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-----------------0-----------0---|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**"Hel(D)lo Patsy Fagan, you're the (A)apple (E)of me (A)eye"**
```
D A E
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---1-----1-----1-----1-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**You're a (D)dacent boy from Ireland, there's no one can de(G)ny**
```
D G D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**You're a (D)rarem tarem divil may carem, (A)dacent Irish (D)boy"**
```
D A D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
## 🎵 Verse 1
**I'm (D)workin' here in Glasgow, I've (A)got a dacent (D)job**
```
D A D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**(D)Carrying bricks and mortar and me (A)pay is (E)fifteen (A)bob**
```
D A E
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---1-----1-----1-----1-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
```
---
**I (D)rise up in the mornin', I get up with the (G)lark**
```
D G D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------3-----------3-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----0-----------0---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---0-----0-----0-----0-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-2-----------2-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|-3-----------3-------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
**And as (D)I'm walkin' down the street, you can (A)hear the girls re(D)mark**
```
D A D
e|---------2-----------2-----------|---------0-----------0-----------|---------2-----------2-----------|
B|-----3-----------3---------------|-----2-----------2---------------|-----3-----------3---------------|
G|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|---2-----2-----2-----2-----------|
D|-0-----------0-------------------|-2-----------2-------------------|-0-----------0-------------------|
A|-----------------0-----------0---|-0-----------0-------------------|-----------------0-----------0---|
E|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
```
---
### 💡 Playing Tips
- For **pub sessions**, use strumming (↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑) throughout for energy.
- For a **solo storytelling version**, use the fingerpicking pattern — it keeps the bounce without overpowering the vocal.
- Add a **bass run (D–E–F#–G)** between D and G chords in the verse for a lively Irish lilt.
- End each chorus with a bright **D major arpeggio** and let it ring.
Here's the chords in the key of G. If you place a capo on the 2nd fret and play the following chords you'll be in the key of A. With the capo on the 3rd you'll be in Bb and on the 4th you'll be playing in the key of B.
He(G)llo Patsy Fagan" you can (D7)hear the girls all (G)cry
"Hel(G)lo Patsy Fagan, you're the (D)apple (A)of me (D)eye
You're a (G)dacent boy from Ireland, there's no one can de(C)ny
You're a (G)rarem tarem divil may carem, (D)dacent Irish (G)boy" -A-D
I'm (G)workin' here in Glasgow, I've (D)got a dacent (G)job
(G)Carrying bricks and mortar and me (D)pay is (A)fifteen (D)bob
I (G)rise up in the mornin', I get up with the (C)lark
And as (G)I'm walkin' down the street, you can (D)hear the girls re(G)mark
Chorus
Well the (G)day that I left Ireland, 'twas (D7)many months (years) a(G)go
I (G)left me home in Ulster(Dntrim) where the (D)pigs and (A)praties (D)grow
But (G)since I left auld Ireland, it's always been my (C)plan
To (G)let you people see that I'm a (D)dacent Irish(G)man
Chorus
Now (G)if there's one among you who would (D7)like to marry (G)me
I'll (G)take her to a little home a(D)cross the (A)Irish (D)Sea
I'll (G)dress her up in satin and I’ll please her all I (C)can
And (G)let her people see that I'm a (D)dacent Irish(G)man
He(G)llo Patsy Fagan" you can (D7)hear the girls all (G)cry
"Hel(G)lo Patsy Fagan, you're the (D)apple (A)of me (D)eye
You're a (G)dacent boy from Ireland, there's no one can de(C)ny
You're a (G)rarem tarem divil may carem, (D)dacent Irish (G)boy" -A-D
I'm (G)workin' here in Glasgow, I've (D)got a dacent (G)job
(G)Carrying bricks and mortar and me (D)pay is (A)fifteen (D)bob
I (G)rise up in the mornin', I get up with the (C)lark
And as (G)I'm walkin' down the street, you can (D)hear the girls re(G)mark
Chorus
Well the (G)day that I left Ireland, 'twas (D7)many months (years) a(G)go
I (G)left me home in Ulster(Dntrim) where the (D)pigs and (A)praties (D)grow
But (G)since I left auld Ireland, it's always been my (C)plan
To (G)let you people see that I'm a (D)dacent Irish(G)man
Chorus
Now (G)if there's one among you who would (D7)like to marry (G)me
I'll (G)take her to a little home a(D)cross the (A)Irish (D)Sea
I'll (G)dress her up in satin and I’ll please her all I (C)can
And (G)let her people see that I'm a (D)dacent Irish(G)man
