Slaney Valley Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords
Slaney valley sheet music link included. A big hit for Larry Conningham but first recorded by The Kinsellas in the 1960s who came from the Wexford area.Country singer Larry Conningham also done a rendition of the Big Tom song Gentle Mother . The youtube video is by Eimiar Furlong.The words were written by Mr. Keogh with the music by Thomas Kinsella also from Wexford. The River Slaney rune through Wexford. The guitar chords are by Bob Sharpe. Included is another song about a woman called Asthoreen Bawn which was written by Dr. Arthur Colahan.
Now here’s a song so overflowing with romance that it could make a stone wall blush and a farmer put down his pint and sigh dramatically. Let’s give it the full Irish commentary treatment:
This whole thing is basically an Irish love letter dipped in honey and sprinkled with shamrock sentiment.
“Asthoreen Bawn” — meaning my fair little darling --
a pet name so sweet you’d nearly need a dentist after hearing it.
He starts off remembering the first encounter like a fella replaying the moment he first saw his crush at a céilí:
“I can see the roses yet,
And the light that lit your eyes of blue.”
Ah yes — blue eyes, roses, and probably a lad trying not to trip over his own boots while attempting to look suave.
He hears her voice “like flowers in May” --
which is poetic speak for:
“She said hello and I nearly fainted with joy.”
The chorus is pure romantic geography:
“Will you come with me asthore…
We’ll go home to Slaney Valley, you and I.”
So basically he wants to sweep her off her feet, ride into the sunset like two love-struck donkeys, and settle down somewhere scenic with decent soil and a grand view.
Then he reminisces like an old lad talking over a smoky fire:
“Asthoreen Bawn, when you said yes,
Brimful was my happiness.”
Translation:
He won the jackpot — and by jackpot we mean one fine woman.
Summer was flying by faster than a tourist in Temple Bar being charged €9 for a pint.
The moon was shinier than a hurley polished for a county final.
And the birds were singing like they got paid for it.
Then we get the final verse — the emotional knockout blow:
“Asthoreen Bawn, for years you’ve been
In my heart its rightful queen.”
That’s Irish for:
“Well love, you’ve been driving me mad for years, and I wouldn’t trade you for all the tea in China or all the porter in Cork.”
Her smile is like sunshine — the same sunshine Ireland rarely gets --
so it must be some powerful smile.
In short:
This is a lad absolutely besotted — smitten — hopelessly enchanted by his beloved ‘Asthoreen Bawn’.
He’s so in love he might as well be made of butter and left near a stove.
It’s sentimental, it’s flowery, it’s dramatic --
the kind of thing you’d sing after three pints and a wave of nostalgia hits you like a rogue sheep on a country road.
Sure isn’t love grand?
This whole thing is basically an Irish love letter dipped in honey and sprinkled with shamrock sentiment.
“Asthoreen Bawn” — meaning my fair little darling --
a pet name so sweet you’d nearly need a dentist after hearing it.
He starts off remembering the first encounter like a fella replaying the moment he first saw his crush at a céilí:
“I can see the roses yet,
And the light that lit your eyes of blue.”
Ah yes — blue eyes, roses, and probably a lad trying not to trip over his own boots while attempting to look suave.
He hears her voice “like flowers in May” --
which is poetic speak for:
“She said hello and I nearly fainted with joy.”
The chorus is pure romantic geography:
“Will you come with me asthore…
We’ll go home to Slaney Valley, you and I.”
So basically he wants to sweep her off her feet, ride into the sunset like two love-struck donkeys, and settle down somewhere scenic with decent soil and a grand view.
Then he reminisces like an old lad talking over a smoky fire:
“Asthoreen Bawn, when you said yes,
Brimful was my happiness.”
Translation:
He won the jackpot — and by jackpot we mean one fine woman.
Summer was flying by faster than a tourist in Temple Bar being charged €9 for a pint.
The moon was shinier than a hurley polished for a county final.
And the birds were singing like they got paid for it.
Then we get the final verse — the emotional knockout blow:
“Asthoreen Bawn, for years you’ve been
In my heart its rightful queen.”
That’s Irish for:
“Well love, you’ve been driving me mad for years, and I wouldn’t trade you for all the tea in China or all the porter in Cork.”
Her smile is like sunshine — the same sunshine Ireland rarely gets --
so it must be some powerful smile.
In short:
This is a lad absolutely besotted — smitten — hopelessly enchanted by his beloved ‘Asthoreen Bawn’.
He’s so in love he might as well be made of butter and left near a stove.
It’s sentimental, it’s flowery, it’s dramatic --
the kind of thing you’d sing after three pints and a wave of nostalgia hits you like a rogue sheep on a country road.
Sure isn’t love grand?
Slaney Valley Song Words And Chords In C Major
[C] Asthoreen Bawn, when first we met,
I can [F] see the roses [C] yet,
And the light that lit your happy eyes of [G] blue. [G7]
I can [C] hear your sweet voice say,
Welcome [F] as the flowers in [C] May
As it did when first I [G] whispered back to [F] you. [C]
CHORUS
[C] Will you come with me [G] asthore,
When the [F] summer day is [C] o’er
And the [Dm] Rooks are winging[D7] homeward in the [G]sky [G7]
When the [C] mountains rise away
O’er a [F] field of gold and [C] grey,
We'll go home to Slaney [G] Valley, you and [F] I. [C]
VERSE
[C]Asthoreen Bawn, when you said yes,
Brimful [F]was my happi [C] ness.
Summer sped as ne'er before on flying [G]feet. [G7]
Never [C] shone the moon so bright
In a [F] starry cape of [C] night.
Never sang the thrushes [G] so divinely [F] sweet. [C]
CHORUS verse
[C] Asthoreen Bawn, for years you've been
In my [F] heart it's rightful [C] queen,
Ever loving, ever tender, ever [G] true.[G7]
Like the [C] sun your smile has shone,
Gladdening [F] all it glowed [C]upon,
As it did when first I [G] whispered back to [F] you. [C]
[C] Asthoreen Bawn, when first we met,
I can [F] see the roses [C] yet,
And the light that lit your happy eyes of [G] blue. [G7]
I can [C] hear your sweet voice say,
Welcome [F] as the flowers in [C] May
As it did when first I [G] whispered back to [F] you. [C]
CHORUS
[C] Will you come with me [G] asthore,
When the [F] summer day is [C] o’er
And the [Dm] Rooks are winging[D7] homeward in the [G]sky [G7]
When the [C] mountains rise away
O’er a [F] field of gold and [C] grey,
We'll go home to Slaney [G] Valley, you and [F] I. [C]
VERSE
[C]Asthoreen Bawn, when you said yes,
Brimful [F]was my happi [C] ness.
Summer sped as ne'er before on flying [G]feet. [G7]
Never [C] shone the moon so bright
In a [F] starry cape of [C] night.
Never sang the thrushes [G] so divinely [F] sweet. [C]
CHORUS verse
[C] Asthoreen Bawn, for years you've been
In my [F] heart it's rightful [C] queen,
Ever loving, ever tender, ever [G] true.[G7]
Like the [C] sun your smile has shone,
Gladdening [F] all it glowed [C]upon,
As it did when first I [G] whispered back to [F] you. [C]
Below is the list of sheet music and tin whistle songs that are in my ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle songs ever put together.[over 1,000 songs ] Including folk, pop and trad tunes plus German And French songs along with Christmas Carols.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
Chords In The Key Of G Major.
[G] Asthoreen Bawn, when first we met,
I can [C] see the roses [G] yet,
And the light that lit your happy eyes of [D] blue. [D7]
I can [G] hear your sweet voice say,
Welcome [C] as the flowers in [G] May
As it did when first I [D] whispered back to [C] you. [G]
CHORUS
[G] Will you come with me [D] asthore,
When the [C] summer day is [G] o’er
And the [Am] Rooks are winging[A7] homeward in the [D]sky [D7]
When the [G] mountains rise away
O’er a [C] field of gold and [G] grey,
We'll go home to Slaney [D] Valley, you and [C] I. [G]
[G]Asthoreen Bawn, when you said yes,
Brimful [C]was my happi [G] ness.
Summer sped as ne'er before on flying [D]feet. [D7]
Never [G] shone the moon so bright
In a [C] starry cape of [G] night.
Never sang the thrushes [D] so divinely [C] sweet. [G]
[G] Asthoreen Bawn, for years you've been
In my [C] heart it's rightful [G] queen,
Ever loving, ever tender, ever [D] true.[D7]
Like the [G] sun your smile has shone,
Gladdening [C] all it glowed [G]upon,
As it did when first I [D] whispered back to [C] you. [G]
[G] Asthoreen Bawn, when first we met,
I can [C] see the roses [G] yet,
And the light that lit your happy eyes of [D] blue. [D7]
I can [G] hear your sweet voice say,
Welcome [C] as the flowers in [G] May
As it did when first I [D] whispered back to [C] you. [G]
CHORUS
[G] Will you come with me [D] asthore,
When the [C] summer day is [G] o’er
And the [Am] Rooks are winging[A7] homeward in the [D]sky [D7]
When the [G] mountains rise away
O’er a [C] field of gold and [G] grey,
We'll go home to Slaney [D] Valley, you and [C] I. [G]
[G]Asthoreen Bawn, when you said yes,
Brimful [C]was my happi [G] ness.
Summer sped as ne'er before on flying [D]feet. [D7]
Never [G] shone the moon so bright
In a [C] starry cape of [G] night.
Never sang the thrushes [D] so divinely [C] sweet. [G]
[G] Asthoreen Bawn, for years you've been
In my [C] heart it's rightful [G] queen,
Ever loving, ever tender, ever [D] true.[D7]
Like the [G] sun your smile has shone,
Gladdening [C] all it glowed [G]upon,
As it did when first I [D] whispered back to [C] you. [G]
🎵 Asthoreen Bawn
Key: G Major
Time: 4/4
Tempo: 85–90 bpm (slow air / folk ballad)
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (Folk Waltz Feel – 4/4 version)
Keep it gentle and flowing:
Pattern: Bass – Down – Down-Up
or in shorthand:
B D D-U
👉 Hit the bass note of each chord first (root or alternating root/fifth), then follow with the down–down-up motion for a soft lilt.
Alternate pattern for livelier sections:
D–D–U–U–D–U
🎶 Lyrics with Chords
Verse 1
[G]Asthoreen Bawn, when first we met,
I can [C]see the roses [G]yet,
And the light that lit your happy eyes of [D]blue. [D7]
I can [G]hear your sweet voice say,
Welcome [C]as the flowers in [G]May,
As it did when first I [D]whispered back to [C]you. [G]
Chorus
[G]Will you come with me [D]asthore,
When the [C]summer day is [G]o’er,
And the [Am]rooks are winging [A7]homeward in the [D]sky, [D7]
When the [G]mountains rise away
O’er a [C]field of gold and [G]grey,
We’ll go home to Slaney [D]Valley, you and [C]I. [G]
Verse 2
[G]Asthoreen Bawn, when you said yes,
Brimful [C]was my happi-[G]ness.
Summer sped as ne’er before on flying [D]feet. [D7]
Never [G]shone the moon so bright,
In a [C]starry cape of [G]night,
Never sang the thrushes [D]so divinely [C]sweet. [G]
Verse 3
[G]Asthoreen Bawn, for years you’ve been
In my [C]heart its rightful [G]queen,
Ever loving, ever tender, ever [D]true. [D7]
Like the [G]sun your smile has shone,
Gladdening [C]all it glowed [G]upon,
As it did when first I [D]whispered back to [C]you. [G]
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse
Style: Travis picking (thumb alternates bass 6th–4th or 5th–4th)
Keep it gentle and rolling — perfect under the melody.
G C D G
e|--------3-------------0---------------2-------------3-------|
B|------0---0---------1---1-----------3---3---------0---0-----|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-------2-------2-----0-------0---|
D|-----------------2---------------0---------------------------|
A|-----------------3-------------------------------------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
G C D7 G
e|--------3-------------0---------------1-------------3-------|
B|------0---0---------1---1-----------2---2---------0---0-----|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-------1-------1-----0-------0---|
D|-----------------2-------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------3-------------------------------------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
Repeat this picking cycle for each line of the first verse; you can strum lightly from the chorus onward to lift the energy.
Alternative version of the tab.
🎶 “Slaney Valley” — Guitar Arrangement
Key: G major
Time: 3/4 (slow waltz)
Tempo: ♩ = 165 (moderate folk waltz)
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
🎸 1️⃣ STRUMMING PATTERN — Gentle Waltz Pulse
Pattern: Bass – Down – Down
Count: 1 2 3
1 2 3
Bass Down Down
↓ ↓ ↓
Play the bass note (root) of each chord on beat 1.
Strum lightly down on beats 2 and 3.
Keep the motion steady and smooth (think “oom cha cha”).
Use fingers or a soft pick for a warmer sound.
Example (G chord):
e|--3---------3---3---|
B|--0---------0---0---|
G|--0---------0---0---|
D|--0---------0---0---|
A|--2---------------2-|
E|--3-----------------|
↓ ↓ ↓
(Bass) Down Down
🎵 2️⃣ CHORDS USED
Chord Fingering Notes
G 320003 home key
C x32010
D xx0232 dominant
D9 xx0210 adds lift before resolution
D13 xx0212 optional jazzy color
Gmaj7 320002 sweet waltz colour
G6 320000 used in verse
Cmaj9 x32000 lush and open
C6 x32210 optional colour
Em 022000 relative minor
Asus4 x02230
A x02220
Gsus4 320013
🎼 3️⃣ BASIC CHORD PROGRESSION (Matched to your ABC sections)
Section Lyrics Chords
1 As-thoreen bawn, when first we met G – Cmaj9 – G6
2 I can see the roses yet G – C – G
3 And the light that lit your happy eyes D – G – D9
4 I can hear your sweet voice say G – D – G
5 Welcome as the flowers in May C – G – D
6 When first I whispered back to you D13 – Gmaj7 – C
7 Will you come with me asthore G – D9 – Asus4 – D
8 When the summer days are over G6 – C – G
9 And the rooks are winging homeward C6 – D – G6
10 Where the mountains rise away Gmaj7 – C – G
11 Or a field of gold and green G – C – G
12 We’ll go home to Slaney Valley, you and I D – Gmaj7 – G
🎸 4️⃣ FINGERPICKING PATTERN — 3/4 Arpeggio Waltz
Use a rolling pattern that emphasizes beat 1 with the thumb and fills beats 2–3 with higher strings.
Pattern: P – i – m – a – m – i
(one per bar of 3/4)
P (thumb): plays root note (string 6, 5, or 4 depending on chord)
i, m, a: pluck G, B, E strings
Keep it flowing and even — like a harp or slow bell.
Example (G chord):
G
e|---------3-----------3---|
B|-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|-----0-------0---0-------|
D|---0----------------------|
A|-2------------------------|
E|3-------------------------|
P i m a m i
Example (C chord):
C
e|---------0-----------0---|
B|-------1---1-------1---1-|
G|-----0-------0---0-------|
D|---2----------------------|
A|-3------------------------|
E|--------------------------|
🎵 5️⃣ TAB EXCERPT — Intro & First Lines
“Asthoreen bawn, when first we met, I can see the roses yet…”
G Cmaj9
e|---------3-----------3---|---------0-----------0---|
B|-------0---0-------0---0-|-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|-----0-------0---0-------|-----0-------0---0-------|
D|---0----------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-2------------------------|-3-----------------------|
E|3--------------------------|------------------------|
As-thoreen bawn, when first we met, I can see the roses yet.
G6 D9
e|---------0-----------0---|---------0-----------0---|
B|-------0---0-------0---0-|-------1---1-------1---1-|
G|-----0-------0---0-------|-----0-------0---0-------|
D|---0----------------------|---0---------------------|
A|-2------------------------|-------------------------|
E|3--------------------------|x-----------------------|
And the light that lit your happy eyes of blue
Key: G Major
Time: 4/4
Tempo: 85–90 bpm (slow air / folk ballad)
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (Folk Waltz Feel – 4/4 version)
Keep it gentle and flowing:
Pattern: Bass – Down – Down-Up
or in shorthand:
B D D-U
👉 Hit the bass note of each chord first (root or alternating root/fifth), then follow with the down–down-up motion for a soft lilt.
Alternate pattern for livelier sections:
D–D–U–U–D–U
🎶 Lyrics with Chords
Verse 1
[G]Asthoreen Bawn, when first we met,
I can [C]see the roses [G]yet,
And the light that lit your happy eyes of [D]blue. [D7]
I can [G]hear your sweet voice say,
Welcome [C]as the flowers in [G]May,
As it did when first I [D]whispered back to [C]you. [G]
Chorus
[G]Will you come with me [D]asthore,
When the [C]summer day is [G]o’er,
And the [Am]rooks are winging [A7]homeward in the [D]sky, [D7]
When the [G]mountains rise away
O’er a [C]field of gold and [G]grey,
We’ll go home to Slaney [D]Valley, you and [C]I. [G]
Verse 2
[G]Asthoreen Bawn, when you said yes,
Brimful [C]was my happi-[G]ness.
Summer sped as ne’er before on flying [D]feet. [D7]
Never [G]shone the moon so bright,
In a [C]starry cape of [G]night,
Never sang the thrushes [D]so divinely [C]sweet. [G]
Verse 3
[G]Asthoreen Bawn, for years you’ve been
In my [C]heart its rightful [G]queen,
Ever loving, ever tender, ever [D]true. [D7]
Like the [G]sun your smile has shone,
Gladdening [C]all it glowed [G]upon,
As it did when first I [D]whispered back to [C]you. [G]
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse
Style: Travis picking (thumb alternates bass 6th–4th or 5th–4th)
Keep it gentle and rolling — perfect under the melody.
G C D G
e|--------3-------------0---------------2-------------3-------|
B|------0---0---------1---1-----------3---3---------0---0-----|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-------2-------2-----0-------0---|
D|-----------------2---------------0---------------------------|
A|-----------------3-------------------------------------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
G C D7 G
e|--------3-------------0---------------1-------------3-------|
B|------0---0---------1---1-----------2---2---------0---0-----|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0-------1-------1-----0-------0---|
D|-----------------2-------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------3-------------------------------------------|
E|--3-------------------------------------------3-------------|
Repeat this picking cycle for each line of the first verse; you can strum lightly from the chorus onward to lift the energy.
Alternative version of the tab.
🎶 “Slaney Valley” — Guitar Arrangement
Key: G major
Time: 3/4 (slow waltz)
Tempo: ♩ = 165 (moderate folk waltz)
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
🎸 1️⃣ STRUMMING PATTERN — Gentle Waltz Pulse
Pattern: Bass – Down – Down
Count: 1 2 3
1 2 3
Bass Down Down
↓ ↓ ↓
Play the bass note (root) of each chord on beat 1.
Strum lightly down on beats 2 and 3.
Keep the motion steady and smooth (think “oom cha cha”).
Use fingers or a soft pick for a warmer sound.
Example (G chord):
e|--3---------3---3---|
B|--0---------0---0---|
G|--0---------0---0---|
D|--0---------0---0---|
A|--2---------------2-|
E|--3-----------------|
↓ ↓ ↓
(Bass) Down Down
🎵 2️⃣ CHORDS USED
Chord Fingering Notes
G 320003 home key
C x32010
D xx0232 dominant
D9 xx0210 adds lift before resolution
D13 xx0212 optional jazzy color
Gmaj7 320002 sweet waltz colour
G6 320000 used in verse
Cmaj9 x32000 lush and open
C6 x32210 optional colour
Em 022000 relative minor
Asus4 x02230
A x02220
Gsus4 320013
🎼 3️⃣ BASIC CHORD PROGRESSION (Matched to your ABC sections)
Section Lyrics Chords
1 As-thoreen bawn, when first we met G – Cmaj9 – G6
2 I can see the roses yet G – C – G
3 And the light that lit your happy eyes D – G – D9
4 I can hear your sweet voice say G – D – G
5 Welcome as the flowers in May C – G – D
6 When first I whispered back to you D13 – Gmaj7 – C
7 Will you come with me asthore G – D9 – Asus4 – D
8 When the summer days are over G6 – C – G
9 And the rooks are winging homeward C6 – D – G6
10 Where the mountains rise away Gmaj7 – C – G
11 Or a field of gold and green G – C – G
12 We’ll go home to Slaney Valley, you and I D – Gmaj7 – G
🎸 4️⃣ FINGERPICKING PATTERN — 3/4 Arpeggio Waltz
Use a rolling pattern that emphasizes beat 1 with the thumb and fills beats 2–3 with higher strings.
Pattern: P – i – m – a – m – i
(one per bar of 3/4)
P (thumb): plays root note (string 6, 5, or 4 depending on chord)
i, m, a: pluck G, B, E strings
Keep it flowing and even — like a harp or slow bell.
Example (G chord):
G
e|---------3-----------3---|
B|-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|-----0-------0---0-------|
D|---0----------------------|
A|-2------------------------|
E|3-------------------------|
P i m a m i
Example (C chord):
C
e|---------0-----------0---|
B|-------1---1-------1---1-|
G|-----0-------0---0-------|
D|---2----------------------|
A|-3------------------------|
E|--------------------------|
🎵 5️⃣ TAB EXCERPT — Intro & First Lines
“Asthoreen bawn, when first we met, I can see the roses yet…”
G Cmaj9
e|---------3-----------3---|---------0-----------0---|
B|-------0---0-------0---0-|-------0---0-------0---0-|
G|-----0-------0---0-------|-----0-------0---0-------|
D|---0----------------------|---2---------------------|
A|-2------------------------|-3-----------------------|
E|3--------------------------|------------------------|
As-thoreen bawn, when first we met, I can see the roses yet.
G6 D9
e|---------0-----------0---|---------0-----------0---|
B|-------0---0-------0---0-|-------1---1-------1---1-|
G|-----0-------0---0-------|-----0-------0---0-------|
D|---0----------------------|---0---------------------|
A|-2------------------------|-------------------------|
E|3--------------------------|x-----------------------|
And the light that lit your happy eyes of blue
Here's another song about a girl called ''Asthoreen Bawn''
This song was written by Dr. Arthur Colahan and P.J. Ryan.
Dr. Arthur Colahan wrote Galway Bay [ lyrics ]
The winds that blow across the seas from Ireland
Come laden with the salt of Irish foam
Sure I never seem to hear them but they whisper
Asthoreen Bawn, when are you coming h
And when they reach the smoke fog of our cities
And down the narrow streets and slums they roam
To me it always seems a thousand pities
That when they're lonely here they can't go home
I do not blame the English winds not knowing
They measure ours by standards of their own
Sure they've never heard the wild on the brown bog cry
Asthoreen Bawn when are you coming home.
This song was written by Dr. Arthur Colahan and P.J. Ryan.
Dr. Arthur Colahan wrote Galway Bay [ lyrics ]
The winds that blow across the seas from Ireland
Come laden with the salt of Irish foam
Sure I never seem to hear them but they whisper
Asthoreen Bawn, when are you coming h
And when they reach the smoke fog of our cities
And down the narrow streets and slums they roam
To me it always seems a thousand pities
That when they're lonely here they can't go home
I do not blame the English winds not knowing
They measure ours by standards of their own
Sure they've never heard the wild on the brown bog cry
Asthoreen Bawn when are you coming home.
Larry Cunningham Slaney Valley Song
Slaney Valley old street sign
