Rio Grande Lyrics And Chords By The Irish Rovers
RIO GRANDE 3/4 Use a capo on the 4th fret to play along to the Irish Rovers an their album Tall Ships & Salty Dogs which is the first version of the chords. The sheet music, Mandolin tab plus the 5 string fingerstyle banjo tab included.
And here's the link to The Irish Rovers folk songs on the site so far.Guitar tab included for fingerpicking plus strumming pattern .
And here's the link to The Irish Rovers folk songs on the site so far.Guitar tab included for fingerpicking plus strumming pattern .
Intro: F-C-G-C C-G-C-C
Oh (C)say were you ever in (G)Rio (C)Grande
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
Oh (F)say were you (C)ever (G)on that (C)strand?
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus
And a(C)way (G)love, a(C)way,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o.
Sing “(F)Fare ye (C)well, my (G)pretty young (C)girl,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.”
Bridge: C-G-C-C
(C)Halifax Town is (G)no place for (C)me,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
I’m (F)packing my (C)bag and I’m (G)off to the (C)sea,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus + Bridge
Now you (C)Halifax girls we’ll (G)let you all (C)know,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
We’re (F)bound to the (C)South, oh (G)Lord let her (C)go,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus + Bridge
We’ll (C)sell ourself cod for mo(G)lasses and (C)rum,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
And (F)get home a(C)gain before (G)winter has (C)come,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus + Bridge
So (C)goodbye fair ladies we (G)know in this (C)town,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
We’ll (F)bring you back (C)gold, the (G)finest of (C)gown,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus + Bridge
The Irish Rovers Lyrics And Chords
Oh (C)say were you ever in (G)Rio (C)Grande
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
Oh (F)say were you (C)ever (G)on that (C)strand?
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus
And a(C)way (G)love, a(C)way,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o.
Sing “(F)Fare ye (C)well, my (G)pretty young (C)girl,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.”
Bridge: C-G-C-C
(C)Halifax Town is (G)no place for (C)me,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
I’m (F)packing my (C)bag and I’m (G)off to the (C)sea,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus + Bridge
Now you (C)Halifax girls we’ll (G)let you all (C)know,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
We’re (F)bound to the (C)South, oh (G)Lord let her (C)go,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus + Bridge
We’ll (C)sell ourself cod for mo(G)lasses and (C)rum,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
And (F)get home a(C)gain before (G)winter has (C)come,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus + Bridge
So (C)goodbye fair ladies we (G)know in this (C)town,
(C)Way (Am)down Ri(Em)o?
We’ll (F)bring you back (C)gold, the (G)finest of (C)gown,
For we’re (C)bound for the (G)Rio (C)Grande.
Chorus + Bridge
The Irish Rovers Lyrics And Chords
[Key of G Major ]
Oh (G)say were you ever in (D)Rio (G)Grande
(G)Way (Em)down Ri(Bm)o?
Oh (C)say were you (G)ever (D)on that (G)strand?
For we're (G)bound for the (D)Rio (G)Grande.
And a(G)way (D)love, a(G)way,
(G)Way (Em)down Ri(Bm)o.
Sing "(C)Fare ye (G)well, my (D)pretty young (G)girl,
For we're (G)bound for the (D)Rio (G)Grande."
Time: 3/4 Tempo: ~80 BPM
Strumming Pattern: ↓ ↓↑ ↓ (Down – Down-Up – Down)
Play with a gentle rolling motion, accenting the first beat of each measure.
🪕 Verse 1
Oh (G)say were you ever in (D)Rio (G)Grande
e|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|----0-------0-------|
D|--------------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--3-----------------|
(G)Way (Em)down Ri(Bm)o?
e|--------3-----------|--------0-----------|--------2-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----0-------0-------|----4-------4-------|
D|--------------------|--2-----------------|--4-----------------|
A|--------------------|--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
Oh (C)say were you (G)ever (D)on that (G)strand?
e|--------0-----------|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|
B|------1---1---------|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|
D|--2-----------------|--------------------|--0-----------------|
A|--3-----------------|--2-----------------|--------------------|
E|--------------------|--3-----------------|--------------------|
e|--------3-----------|--------------------|--------------------|
B|------0---0---------|--------------------|--------------------|
G|----0-------0-------|--------------------|--------------------|
D|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
A|--2-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|
For we're (G)bound for the (D)Rio (G)Grande.
e|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|----0-------0-------|
D|--------------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--3-----------------|
🎶 Chorus
And a(G)way (D)love, a(G)way,
e|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|----0-------0-------|
D|--------------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--3-----------------|
(G)Way (Em)down Ri(Bm)o.
e|--------3-----------|--------0-----------|--------2-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----0-------0-------|----4-------4-------|
D|--------------------|--2-----------------|--4-----------------|
A|--------------------|--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
Sing "(C)Fare ye (G)well, my (D)pretty young (G)girl,
e|--------0-----------|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|
B|------1---1---------|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|
D|--2-----------------|--------------------|--0-----------------|
A|--3-----------------|--2-----------------|--------------------|
E|--------------------|--3-----------------|--------------------|
e|--------3-----------|--------------------|--------------------|
B|------0---0---------|--------------------|--------------------|
G|----0-------0-------|--------------------|--------------------|
D|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
A|--2-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|
For we're (G)bound for the (D)Rio (G)Grande."
e|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|----0-------0-------|
D|--------------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--3-----------------|
💡 Playing Tips
Fingerpicking (3/4 pattern):
Use a P–I–M–I–A–M pattern:
Thumb → bass note (E/A/D string depending on chord)
Index/Middle/Ring → G, B, E strings
Keep a steady “one-two-three” waltz pulse.
Strumming:
Use Down – Down-Up – Down per measure for a smooth, rolling sea-rhythm.
Slightly accent the first beat like a shanty stomp.
Style Tip:
Let open strings ring freely — this gives it a full, maritime resonance.
Ending:
Slow down on the final “Rio Grande” and finish with a sustained G chord.
[Key of D ]
Oh (D)say were you ever in (A)Rio (D)Grande
(D)Way (Bm)down Ri(F#m)o?
Oh (G)say were you (D)ever (A)on that (D)strand?
For we're (D)bound for the (A)Rio (D)Grande.
And a(D)way (A)love, a(D)way,
(D)Way (Bm)down Ri(F#m)o.
Sing "(G)Fare ye (D)well, my (A)pretty young (D)girl,
For we're (D)bound for the (A)Rio (D)Grande."
Oh (G)say were you ever in (D)Rio (G)Grande
(G)Way (Em)down Ri(Bm)o?
Oh (C)say were you (G)ever (D)on that (G)strand?
For we're (G)bound for the (D)Rio (G)Grande.
And a(G)way (D)love, a(G)way,
(G)Way (Em)down Ri(Bm)o.
Sing "(C)Fare ye (G)well, my (D)pretty young (G)girl,
For we're (G)bound for the (D)Rio (G)Grande."
Time: 3/4 Tempo: ~80 BPM
Strumming Pattern: ↓ ↓↑ ↓ (Down – Down-Up – Down)
Play with a gentle rolling motion, accenting the first beat of each measure.
🪕 Verse 1
Oh (G)say were you ever in (D)Rio (G)Grande
e|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|----0-------0-------|
D|--------------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--3-----------------|
(G)Way (Em)down Ri(Bm)o?
e|--------3-----------|--------0-----------|--------2-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----0-------0-------|----4-------4-------|
D|--------------------|--2-----------------|--4-----------------|
A|--------------------|--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
Oh (C)say were you (G)ever (D)on that (G)strand?
e|--------0-----------|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|
B|------1---1---------|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|
D|--2-----------------|--------------------|--0-----------------|
A|--3-----------------|--2-----------------|--------------------|
E|--------------------|--3-----------------|--------------------|
e|--------3-----------|--------------------|--------------------|
B|------0---0---------|--------------------|--------------------|
G|----0-------0-------|--------------------|--------------------|
D|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
A|--2-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|
For we're (G)bound for the (D)Rio (G)Grande.
e|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|----0-------0-------|
D|--------------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--3-----------------|
🎶 Chorus
And a(G)way (D)love, a(G)way,
e|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|----0-------0-------|
D|--------------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--3-----------------|
(G)Way (Em)down Ri(Bm)o.
e|--------3-----------|--------0-----------|--------2-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----0-------0-------|----4-------4-------|
D|--------------------|--2-----------------|--4-----------------|
A|--------------------|--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
Sing "(C)Fare ye (G)well, my (D)pretty young (G)girl,
e|--------0-----------|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|
B|------1---1---------|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|
D|--2-----------------|--------------------|--0-----------------|
A|--3-----------------|--2-----------------|--------------------|
E|--------------------|--3-----------------|--------------------|
e|--------3-----------|--------------------|--------------------|
B|------0---0---------|--------------------|--------------------|
G|----0-------0-------|--------------------|--------------------|
D|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
A|--2-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|
For we're (G)bound for the (D)Rio (G)Grande."
e|--------3-----------|--------2-----------|--------3-----------|
B|------0---0---------|------3---3---------|------0---0---------|
G|----0-------0-------|----2-------2-------|----0-------0-------|
D|--------------------|--0-----------------|--------------------|
A|--------------------|--------------------|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|--------------------|--3-----------------|
💡 Playing Tips
Fingerpicking (3/4 pattern):
Use a P–I–M–I–A–M pattern:
Thumb → bass note (E/A/D string depending on chord)
Index/Middle/Ring → G, B, E strings
Keep a steady “one-two-three” waltz pulse.
Strumming:
Use Down – Down-Up – Down per measure for a smooth, rolling sea-rhythm.
Slightly accent the first beat like a shanty stomp.
Style Tip:
Let open strings ring freely — this gives it a full, maritime resonance.
Ending:
Slow down on the final “Rio Grande” and finish with a sustained G chord.
[Key of D ]
Oh (D)say were you ever in (A)Rio (D)Grande
(D)Way (Bm)down Ri(F#m)o?
Oh (G)say were you (D)ever (A)on that (D)strand?
For we're (D)bound for the (A)Rio (D)Grande.
And a(D)way (A)love, a(D)way,
(D)Way (Bm)down Ri(F#m)o.
Sing "(G)Fare ye (D)well, my (A)pretty young (D)girl,
For we're (D)bound for the (A)Rio (D)Grande."
Included below is the sheet music in D Major.
5 string fingerstyle banjo tab
Mandolin tab below
