Red Haired Mary Lyrics and guitar chords
The 5 string banjo chords shapes are included for the key of G Major. The song was written by Sean McCarthy who also wrote Shanagolden, ''Step It Out Mary [ lyrics'' Highland Paddy' The Hills Of Connemara' . Sean was born in Listowel Co. Kerry 1923. The guitar chords are in G Major in the chordpro format. The youtube video is of Foster And Allen singing Red Haired Mary, also recorded by The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem, The Kilkenny's, Danny Doyle plus Dervish. Released in July 2015 by Patrick Feeney. The tin whistle sheet music notes are included.
Red Haired Mary Lyrics And Chords In G Major
[G]O, 'twas going to the fair in[D7] Dingle[G] one fine morning last [C]July
And[G] walking down the road be[D7]fore me a[G] red-haird girl I [D7]chanced to[G] spy.
cho:[G] Keep your hands off[Em] red-haired Mary
Her[C] and I are to be[G] wed,
[D7]We're seein' the[G] priest this[Em] very morning
[G]Tonight we'll lie in the marriage bed.
"Come ride with me my red-haird maiden, the donkey he will carry two,"
She looked at me with eyes atwinkle, her cheeks a lovely rosy hue.
"Thank you kindly, sir," she answered, then she tossed her bright red hair,
"Seeing as you have the donkey I'll ride with you to the Dingle Fair."
When we reached the town of Dingle, I took her hand to say goodbye,
But a tinker he stepped up behind me and hit me right in my left eye.
Now I was feeling kind of peevish, my poor old eye felt sad and sore
I tapped him gently with my hobnails, and he flew back through
Tim Murphy's door.
He galloped off to find his father, the tallest man I e'er did meet
He tapped me gently with his knuckles, now I am minus two front teeth.
Round the corner came a peeler, told me that I'd broke the law
The donkey kicked him in the kneecap, he fell down and broke his jaw.
Now the red-haired girl she kept on smiling, "Young man I'll come with you,
she said,
"We'll forget the priest this very morning, and tonight we'll sleep
in Murphy's bed."
Included below are the 5 string banjo chords for Red Haired Mary for the key of G Major
[G]O, 'twas going to the fair in[D7] Dingle[G] one fine morning last [C]July
And[G] walking down the road be[D7]fore me a[G] red-haird girl I [D7]chanced to[G] spy.
cho:[G] Keep your hands off[Em] red-haired Mary
Her[C] and I are to be[G] wed,
[D7]We're seein' the[G] priest this[Em] very morning
[G]Tonight we'll lie in the marriage bed.
"Come ride with me my red-haird maiden, the donkey he will carry two,"
She looked at me with eyes atwinkle, her cheeks a lovely rosy hue.
"Thank you kindly, sir," she answered, then she tossed her bright red hair,
"Seeing as you have the donkey I'll ride with you to the Dingle Fair."
When we reached the town of Dingle, I took her hand to say goodbye,
But a tinker he stepped up behind me and hit me right in my left eye.
Now I was feeling kind of peevish, my poor old eye felt sad and sore
I tapped him gently with my hobnails, and he flew back through
Tim Murphy's door.
He galloped off to find his father, the tallest man I e'er did meet
He tapped me gently with his knuckles, now I am minus two front teeth.
Round the corner came a peeler, told me that I'd broke the law
The donkey kicked him in the kneecap, he fell down and broke his jaw.
Now the red-haired girl she kept on smiling, "Young man I'll come with you,
she said,
"We'll forget the priest this very morning, and tonight we'll sleep
in Murphy's bed."
Included below are the 5 string banjo chords for Red Haired Mary for the key of G Major
Ah now, this is a proper Dingle disaster tale — the kind of story you’d hear only after the third pint, told by a man with a missing tooth and a heroic sense of self-justification.
☘️ Act 1: The Red-Haired Temptation. Our hero is strolling down the road to Dingle Fair — full of optimism, sunshine, and innocence — when he spies her:
A red-haired beauty with cheeks like Galway apples and eyes that could launch a thousand questionable decisions.
He offers her a ride on his donkey --
because nothing says romance like:
“Hop on the arse of my donkey, love.”
She agrees, flicking her fiery curls like she’s auditioning for an advertisement for ginger shampoo.
He thinks he’s in love.
We know he’s in trouble.
☘️ Act 2: The Tinker Ambush, Just as he’s about to give her a farewell handshake — or something more ambitious --
a wild tinker appears behind him and rearranges his eyeball with a surprise punch.
Our lad — shocked, sore, and suddenly monocular — responds with:
“gentle tapping with his hobnails”
which is Irish slang for:
He kicked him hard enough to relocate his ancestry.
☘️ Act 3: The Revenge of the Papa Giant. The tinker’s father arrives --
a man so massive he probably needs planning permission just to stand.
He taps our hero “gently” with his knuckles
— meaning he knocks out two teeth and half of his dignity.
At this point our lad is
☘️ Act 4: The Peeler Gets a Dose of Karma. A policeman (a peeler) tries to break it up --
and the donkey, having had enough of human foolishness,
crisply kicks the lawman right in the kneecap.
Down he goes --
jaw cracked --
career ruined --
donkey triumphant.
This is the most Irish part of the song:
even the livestock gets involved in the fight.
☘️ Act 5: Red-Haired Mary Chooses Her Hero. After all the chaos --
the tinker, the fistfight, the missing teeth,
the injured cop, and the donkey’s athletic violence --
Red-Haired Mary smiles sweetly and says:
“Forget the priest — you’ll do fine.
We’ll just sleep in Murphy’s bed.”
Which is Irish for:
Marriage? Nah.
Let’s just skip straight to the honeymoon.
☘️ The Irish-Spirit Summary, This song is:
the donkey gained a criminal record,
and Red-Haired Mary?
She walked away smiling.
Sure that’s Irish love for you --
equal parts passion, poetry…
and punches.
☘️ Act 1: The Red-Haired Temptation. Our hero is strolling down the road to Dingle Fair — full of optimism, sunshine, and innocence — when he spies her:
A red-haired beauty with cheeks like Galway apples and eyes that could launch a thousand questionable decisions.
He offers her a ride on his donkey --
because nothing says romance like:
“Hop on the arse of my donkey, love.”
She agrees, flicking her fiery curls like she’s auditioning for an advertisement for ginger shampoo.
He thinks he’s in love.
We know he’s in trouble.
☘️ Act 2: The Tinker Ambush, Just as he’s about to give her a farewell handshake — or something more ambitious --
a wild tinker appears behind him and rearranges his eyeball with a surprise punch.
Our lad — shocked, sore, and suddenly monocular — responds with:
“gentle tapping with his hobnails”
which is Irish slang for:
He kicked him hard enough to relocate his ancestry.
☘️ Act 3: The Revenge of the Papa Giant. The tinker’s father arrives --
a man so massive he probably needs planning permission just to stand.
He taps our hero “gently” with his knuckles
— meaning he knocks out two teeth and half of his dignity.
At this point our lad is
- one eye down
- two teeth short
- and still holding onto the donkey for balance.
☘️ Act 4: The Peeler Gets a Dose of Karma. A policeman (a peeler) tries to break it up --
and the donkey, having had enough of human foolishness,
crisply kicks the lawman right in the kneecap.
Down he goes --
jaw cracked --
career ruined --
donkey triumphant.
This is the most Irish part of the song:
even the livestock gets involved in the fight.
☘️ Act 5: Red-Haired Mary Chooses Her Hero. After all the chaos --
the tinker, the fistfight, the missing teeth,
the injured cop, and the donkey’s athletic violence --
Red-Haired Mary smiles sweetly and says:
“Forget the priest — you’ll do fine.
We’ll just sleep in Murphy’s bed.”
Which is Irish for:
Marriage? Nah.
Let’s just skip straight to the honeymoon.
☘️ The Irish-Spirit Summary, This song is:
- a love story
- a riot
- a dental emergency
- an agricultural kickboxing exhibition
- and a triumph of romance over common sense.
the donkey gained a criminal record,
and Red-Haired Mary?
She walked away smiling.
Sure that’s Irish love for you --
equal parts passion, poetry…
and punches.
Below is a complete version with chords on all verses, a recommended strumming pattern, and a fingerpicking pattern for the first verse to give it a gentler start before moving into a rhythmic strum.
🎸 Key: G Major
Tempo: Bright, about 100–110 BPM
Time: 4/4
🎵 Strumming Pattern (for verses & chorus)
A lively Irish-style pattern:
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
(Count: 1 – 2& – &4&)
👉 Emphasize beats 1 and 4, giving it that lilting bounce.
You can also alternate bass notes for movement:
For G, alternate between 6th (G) and 4th (D) string
For C, alternate between 5th (C) and 4th (D) string
For D7, alternate between 4th (D) and 5th (A) string
🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern (for 1st Verse only)
Use a gentle Travis-style alternating bass:
Pattern (per chord):
Bass (Thumb) – 3rd string (Index) – 2nd string (Middle) – 1st string (Ring)
Bass (Thumb alternate) – 3rd – 2nd – 1st
So, for G:
E(6) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
D(4) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
For D7:
D(4) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
A(5) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
For C:
A(5) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
D(4) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
🎤 Full Lyrics with Chords
Verse 1 (Fingerpicked)
[G]O, 'twas going to the fair in [D7]Dingle [G]one fine morning last [C]July,
And [G]walking down the road be[D7]fore me a [G]red-haired girl I [D7]chanced to [G]spy.
Chorus (Strum)
[G]Keep your hands off [Em]red-haired Mary,
Her [C]and I are to be [G]wed,
[D7]We're seein' the [G]priest this [Em]very morning,
[G]Tonight we'll lie in the [D7]marriage [G]bed.
Verse 2
[G]"Come ride with me my red-haired [D7]maiden,
The [G]donkey he will carry [C]two,"
She [G]looked at me with eyes a[D7]twinkle,
Her [G]cheeks a lovely [D7]rosy [G]hue.
[G]"Thank you kindly, sir," she [D7]answered,
Then she [G]tossed her bright red [C]hair,
"Since [G]you have the donkey, [D7]I’ll ride with [G]you to the [D7]Dingle [G]Fair."
Chorus
[G]Keep your hands off [Em]red-haired Mary,
Her [C]and I are to be [G]wed,
[D7]We're seein' the [G]priest this [Em]very morning,
[G]Tonight we'll lie in the [D7]marriage [G]bed.
Verse 3
[G]When we reached the town of [D7]Dingle,
I [G]took her hand to say good[C]bye,
But a [G]tinker he stepped up be[D7]hind me
And [G]hit me right in [D7]my left [G]eye.
[G]Now I was feeling kind of [D7]peevish,
My [G]poor old eye felt sad and [C]sore,
I [G]tapped him gently with my [D7]hobnails,
And he [G]flew back through [D7]Murphy's [G]door.
Chorus
Verse 4
[G]He galloped off to find his [D7]father,
The [G]tallest man I e’er did [C]meet,
He [G]tapped me gently with his [D7]knuckles,
Now I’m [G]minus two front [D7]teeth so [G]sweet.
[G]’Round the corner came a [D7]peeler,
Told me [G]that I’d broke the [C]law,
The [G]donkey kicked him in the [D7]kneecap,
He [G]fell down and [D7]broke his [G]jaw.
Chorus
Verse 5
[G]Now the red-haired girl she [D7]kept on smiling,
"Young [G]man, I’ll come with [C]you," she said,
"We’ll [G]forget the priest this [D7]very morning,
And to[G]night we’ll sleep in [D7]Murphy’s [G]bed."
Final Chorus (Slow it down for a singalong ending)
[G]Keep your hands off [Em]red-haired Mary,
Her [C]and I are to be [G]wed,
[D7]We're seein' the [G]priest this [Em]very morning,
[G]Tonight we'll lie in the [D7]marriage [G]bed.
🎸 Key: G Major
Tempo: Bright, about 100–110 BPM
Time: 4/4
🎵 Strumming Pattern (for verses & chorus)
A lively Irish-style pattern:
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
(Count: 1 – 2& – &4&)
👉 Emphasize beats 1 and 4, giving it that lilting bounce.
You can also alternate bass notes for movement:
For G, alternate between 6th (G) and 4th (D) string
For C, alternate between 5th (C) and 4th (D) string
For D7, alternate between 4th (D) and 5th (A) string
🎶 Fingerpicking Pattern (for 1st Verse only)
Use a gentle Travis-style alternating bass:
Pattern (per chord):
Bass (Thumb) – 3rd string (Index) – 2nd string (Middle) – 1st string (Ring)
Bass (Thumb alternate) – 3rd – 2nd – 1st
So, for G:
E(6) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
D(4) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
For D7:
D(4) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
A(5) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
For C:
A(5) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
D(4) – G(3) – B(2) – e(1)
🎤 Full Lyrics with Chords
Verse 1 (Fingerpicked)
[G]O, 'twas going to the fair in [D7]Dingle [G]one fine morning last [C]July,
And [G]walking down the road be[D7]fore me a [G]red-haired girl I [D7]chanced to [G]spy.
Chorus (Strum)
[G]Keep your hands off [Em]red-haired Mary,
Her [C]and I are to be [G]wed,
[D7]We're seein' the [G]priest this [Em]very morning,
[G]Tonight we'll lie in the [D7]marriage [G]bed.
Verse 2
[G]"Come ride with me my red-haired [D7]maiden,
The [G]donkey he will carry [C]two,"
She [G]looked at me with eyes a[D7]twinkle,
Her [G]cheeks a lovely [D7]rosy [G]hue.
[G]"Thank you kindly, sir," she [D7]answered,
Then she [G]tossed her bright red [C]hair,
"Since [G]you have the donkey, [D7]I’ll ride with [G]you to the [D7]Dingle [G]Fair."
Chorus
[G]Keep your hands off [Em]red-haired Mary,
Her [C]and I are to be [G]wed,
[D7]We're seein' the [G]priest this [Em]very morning,
[G]Tonight we'll lie in the [D7]marriage [G]bed.
Verse 3
[G]When we reached the town of [D7]Dingle,
I [G]took her hand to say good[C]bye,
But a [G]tinker he stepped up be[D7]hind me
And [G]hit me right in [D7]my left [G]eye.
[G]Now I was feeling kind of [D7]peevish,
My [G]poor old eye felt sad and [C]sore,
I [G]tapped him gently with my [D7]hobnails,
And he [G]flew back through [D7]Murphy's [G]door.
Chorus
Verse 4
[G]He galloped off to find his [D7]father,
The [G]tallest man I e’er did [C]meet,
He [G]tapped me gently with his [D7]knuckles,
Now I’m [G]minus two front [D7]teeth so [G]sweet.
[G]’Round the corner came a [D7]peeler,
Told me [G]that I’d broke the [C]law,
The [G]donkey kicked him in the [D7]kneecap,
He [G]fell down and [D7]broke his [G]jaw.
Chorus
Verse 5
[G]Now the red-haired girl she [D7]kept on smiling,
"Young [G]man, I’ll come with [C]you," she said,
"We’ll [G]forget the priest this [D7]very morning,
And to[G]night we’ll sleep in [D7]Murphy’s [G]bed."
Final Chorus (Slow it down for a singalong ending)
[G]Keep your hands off [Em]red-haired Mary,
Her [C]and I are to be [G]wed,
[D7]We're seein' the [G]priest this [Em]very morning,
[G]Tonight we'll lie in the [D7]marriage [G]bed.
Foster And Allen version of the chords in the key of D.
[D]O, 'twas going to the fair in[A] Dingle one [D]fine morning last Ju[G]ly
And[D] walking down the road be[A]fore me a[D] red-haird girl I [A]chanced to[D] spy.
I [D]went up to her and says I fair [A]maiden
My old [D]ass can carry tw[G]o
Well [D]seeing as you've got a don[A]key
To the Dingle [D]fair I'll [A]ride with [D]you
Well when we reach the Town of [A]Dingle
Sure I took her[D] hand to say good[G]bye
When a tinker [D]man stepped up beside [A]me
And he [D]belted me in my left eye
cho: [D]Keep your hands off red-haired Mary
Her and I are to be wed,
We're seein' the priest this very morning
Tonight we'll lie in the marriage bed.
[D]O, 'twas going to the fair in[A] Dingle one [D]fine morning last Ju[G]ly
And[D] walking down the road be[A]fore me a[D] red-haird girl I [A]chanced to[D] spy.
I [D]went up to her and says I fair [A]maiden
My old [D]ass can carry tw[G]o
Well [D]seeing as you've got a don[A]key
To the Dingle [D]fair I'll [A]ride with [D]you
Well when we reach the Town of [A]Dingle
Sure I took her[D] hand to say good[G]bye
When a tinker [D]man stepped up beside [A]me
And he [D]belted me in my left eye
cho: [D]Keep your hands off red-haired Mary
Her and I are to be wed,
We're seein' the priest this very morning
Tonight we'll lie in the marriage bed.
The Red Haired Girl Poem
Red haired girl, with locks so bright
A fiery mane, a blazing sight
Her hair a flame, that dances and curls
A sight to see, this red haired girl
She walks with grace, and holds her head high
Her eyes a sparkle, like stars in the sky
Her skin a canvas, for freckles to play
A beauty unique, in every single way
Her laughter rings, like a joyful bell
A sound that's sure, to cast a spell
Her smile contagious, it lights up the room
This red haired girl, with her own kind of bloom
She's fierce and bold, with a spirit untamed
A wild heart, that cannot be tamed
She'll dance in the rain, and sing in the sun
This red haired girl, she knows how to have fun
She's a flame that burns, with passion and fire
A soul that shines, with a burning desire
Her red hair, a crown upon her head
This red haired girl, she's one of a kind, it's said
So let her be, this red haired girl
A beauty that shines, in a chaotic world
For she's a reminder, of the colors of life
A flame that burns, with a vibrant light.
Red haired girl, with locks so bright
A fiery mane, a blazing sight
Her hair a flame, that dances and curls
A sight to see, this red haired girl
She walks with grace, and holds her head high
Her eyes a sparkle, like stars in the sky
Her skin a canvas, for freckles to play
A beauty unique, in every single way
Her laughter rings, like a joyful bell
A sound that's sure, to cast a spell
Her smile contagious, it lights up the room
This red haired girl, with her own kind of bloom
She's fierce and bold, with a spirit untamed
A wild heart, that cannot be tamed
She'll dance in the rain, and sing in the sun
This red haired girl, she knows how to have fun
She's a flame that burns, with passion and fire
A soul that shines, with a burning desire
Her red hair, a crown upon her head
This red haired girl, she's one of a kind, it's said
So let her be, this red haired girl
A beauty that shines, in a chaotic world
For she's a reminder, of the colors of life
A flame that burns, with a vibrant light.
