Sweet Carnlough Bay Lyrics And Chords
Paddy Reilly, Written By Mac Kay This song comes from Co Antrim and is at least 100 years old ,there are several different arrangements of the tune , this version is the one sang by the Wolfe Tones and Paddy Reilly. Deportees Song was another classic that Paddy Reilly sings which Tommy Byrne with the Wolfe Tones also sang. The sheet music is included along with the tin whistle notes and mandolin tab, plus the tenor mandola / guitar tab in CGDA
Sweet Carnlough Bay Song Words And Guitar Chords In D Major
(D)Winter was brawling, o'er high hills and (C)mountains
And (D)dark were the (G)clouds o'er the (D)deep rol(C)ling s(D)ea,
I met a wee lass as the daylight was (C)dawning
She was (D)asking the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough (D)bay.
I (D)said ,"My wee lassie, I canna weel (C)tell ye
Of (D)how many (G)miles or how (D)far it (C)might (D)be
But if you'll consent I'll convey you a (C)wee bit
And I'll (D)show you the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough (D)bay.
Just (D)turn to the right and go down by the (C)churchyard
Cross (D)over the (G)river and (D)down by (C)the (D)sea;
We'll stop at Pat Hamill's and have a wee (C)drop there
And I'll (D)show you the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough (D)bay.
Here's a (D)health to Pat Hamill likewise the wee (C)lassie
And (D)every (G)laddie that's (D)listening (C)to (D)me
And ne'er turn your back on a bonnie wee (C)lassie
When she's (D)asking the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough.
S-T List Of Irish Song Lyrics
(D)Winter was brawling, o'er high hills and (C)mountains
And (D)dark were the (G)clouds o'er the (D)deep rol(C)ling s(D)ea,
I met a wee lass as the daylight was (C)dawning
She was (D)asking the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough (D)bay.
I (D)said ,"My wee lassie, I canna weel (C)tell ye
Of (D)how many (G)miles or how (D)far it (C)might (D)be
But if you'll consent I'll convey you a (C)wee bit
And I'll (D)show you the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough (D)bay.
Just (D)turn to the right and go down by the (C)churchyard
Cross (D)over the (G)river and (D)down by (C)the (D)sea;
We'll stop at Pat Hamill's and have a wee (C)drop there
And I'll (D)show you the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough (D)bay.
Here's a (D)health to Pat Hamill likewise the wee (C)lassie
And (D)every (G)laddie that's (D)listening (C)to (D)me
And ne'er turn your back on a bonnie wee (C)lassie
When she's (D)asking the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough.
S-T List Of Irish Song Lyrics
🎵 Key: D Major - Full version
Time: 3/4 (slow waltz)
Tempo: ~90 bpm
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Irish / Folk Waltz)
Gentle and steady — think of it as a “boom–chuck–chuck” feel:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Count 1 2 3
Bass Chord Chord
Tips:
On D, play the bass on the 4th string, then strum the rest.
On G, play the bass on the 6th string.
On C, play the bass on the 5th string.
Alternate the bass each bar for a moving, lilted rhythm:
D: 4th → 5th
G: 6th → 4th
C: 5th → 4th
This gives it a soft, rocking pulse—perfect for a waltz ballad.
🎶 Chorded Verse (for reference)
Verse 1
(D)Winter was brawling, o'er high hills and (C)mountains
And (D)dark were the (G)clouds o'er the (D)deep rol(C)ling s(D)ea,
I met a wee lass as the daylight was (C)dawning
She was (D)asking the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough (D)bay.
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab — First Verse
This uses a slow arpeggio pattern:
T – i – m – a – m – i
(Thumb plays bass, fingers play upward roll on G–B–e strings)
Each bar fits neatly into 3/4 time.
💠 Verse 1 Fingerpicking Tab
D C D G
e|-------2-------2-|-------0-------0-|-------2-------2-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----3---3---3---|-----1---1---1---|-----3---3---3---|-----0---0---0---|
G|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|
D|---0-------------|---2-------------|---0-------------|---0-------------|
A|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|---2-------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
D C D G
e|-------2-------2-|-------0-------0-|-------2-------2-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----3---3---3---|-----1---1---1---|-----3---3---3---|-----0---0---0---|
G|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|
D|---0-------------|---2-------------|---0-------------|---0-------------|
A|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|---2-------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
D C D
e|-------2-------2-|-------0-------0-|-------2-------2-|
B|-----3---3---3---|-----1---1---1---|-----3---3---3---|
G|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|
D|---0-------------|---2-------------|---0-------------|
A|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
Keep the thumb steady on the bass every beat 1, and let the upper notes ring — that’s the traditional ballad sound.
You can finish each verse with a soft brush strum down the strings on beat 3 for warmth.
Time: 3/4 (slow waltz)
Tempo: ~90 bpm
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Irish / Folk Waltz)
Gentle and steady — think of it as a “boom–chuck–chuck” feel:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Count 1 2 3
Bass Chord Chord
Tips:
On D, play the bass on the 4th string, then strum the rest.
On G, play the bass on the 6th string.
On C, play the bass on the 5th string.
Alternate the bass each bar for a moving, lilted rhythm:
D: 4th → 5th
G: 6th → 4th
C: 5th → 4th
This gives it a soft, rocking pulse—perfect for a waltz ballad.
🎶 Chorded Verse (for reference)
Verse 1
(D)Winter was brawling, o'er high hills and (C)mountains
And (D)dark were the (G)clouds o'er the (D)deep rol(C)ling s(D)ea,
I met a wee lass as the daylight was (C)dawning
She was (D)asking the (G)road to sweet (D)Carron (C)Lough (D)bay.
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab — First Verse
This uses a slow arpeggio pattern:
T – i – m – a – m – i
(Thumb plays bass, fingers play upward roll on G–B–e strings)
Each bar fits neatly into 3/4 time.
💠 Verse 1 Fingerpicking Tab
D C D G
e|-------2-------2-|-------0-------0-|-------2-------2-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----3---3---3---|-----1---1---1---|-----3---3---3---|-----0---0---0---|
G|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|
D|---0-------------|---2-------------|---0-------------|---0-------------|
A|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|---2-------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
D C D G
e|-------2-------2-|-------0-------0-|-------2-------2-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----3---3---3---|-----1---1---1---|-----3---3---3---|-----0---0---0---|
G|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|
D|---0-------------|---2-------------|---0-------------|---0-------------|
A|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|---2-------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
D C D
e|-------2-------2-|-------0-------0-|-------2-------2-|
B|-----3---3---3---|-----1---1---1---|-----3---3---3---|
G|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|
D|---0-------------|---2-------------|---0-------------|
A|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
Keep the thumb steady on the bass every beat 1, and let the upper notes ring — that’s the traditional ballad sound.
You can finish each verse with a soft brush strum down the strings on beat 3 for warmth.
🎵 Key: G Major
Time: 3/4 (waltz feel)
Tempo: ~90 bpm
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Folk Waltz)
A classic Irish waltz rhythm:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Count 1 2 3
Bass Chord Chord
or think “boom–chuck–chuck”
Bass guide:
G → play 6th then 4th string
C → play 5th then 4th string
D → play 4th then 5th string
Soft strumming on the middle strings works best for a ballad feel.
🎶 Lyrics with Chords (in G)
Verse 1
(G)Winter was brawling, o'er high hills and (F)mountains
And (G)dark were the (C)clouds o'er the (G)deep rol(F)ling s(G)ea,
I met a wee lass as the daylight was (F)dawning
She was (G)asking the (C)road to sweet (G)Carron (F)Lough (G)bay.
Verse 2
(G)I said, "My wee lassie, I canna weel (F)tell ye
Of (G)how many (C)miles or how (G)far it (F)might (G)be,
But if you'll consent, I'll convey you a (F)wee bit
And I'll (G)show you the (C)road to sweet (G)Carron (F)Lough (G)bay."
Verse 3
(G)Just turn to the right and go down by the (F)churchyard,
Cross (G)over the (C)river and (G)down by (F)the (G)sea;
We'll stop at Pat Hamill's and have a wee (F)drop there
And I'll (G)show you the (C)road to sweet (G)Carron (F)Lough (G)bay.
Verse 4
(G)Here's a health to Pat Hamill, likewise the wee (F)lassie,
And (G)every (C)laddie that's (G)listening (F)to (G)me;
And ne’er turn your back on a bonnie wee (F)lassie,
When she's (G)asking the (C)road to sweet (G)Carron (F)Lough (G)bay.
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse (in G)
Use a gentle 3/4 arpeggio pattern:
T – i – m – a – m – i
(Thumb = bass, fingers pluck upward through G–B–e strings)
💠 Verse 1 Fingerpicking Tab
G F G C
e|-------3-------3-|-------1-------1-|-------3-------3-|-------0-------0-|
B|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|
G|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
D|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|---2-------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
E|---3-------------|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|
G F G C
e|-------3-------3-|-------1-------1-|-------3-------3-|-------0-------0-|
B|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|
G|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
D|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|---2-------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
E|---3-------------|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|
G F G
e|-------3-------3-|-------1-------1-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|-----0---0---0---|
G|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|
D|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|---3-------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
This gives a lilting, harp-like motion — perfect for Irish storytelling songs like this.
Let the notes ring slightly into each other to keep the texture smooth and full.
Time: 3/4 (waltz feel)
Tempo: ~90 bpm
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Folk Waltz)
A classic Irish waltz rhythm:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
Count 1 2 3
Bass Chord Chord
or think “boom–chuck–chuck”
Bass guide:
G → play 6th then 4th string
C → play 5th then 4th string
D → play 4th then 5th string
Soft strumming on the middle strings works best for a ballad feel.
🎶 Lyrics with Chords (in G)
Verse 1
(G)Winter was brawling, o'er high hills and (F)mountains
And (G)dark were the (C)clouds o'er the (G)deep rol(F)ling s(G)ea,
I met a wee lass as the daylight was (F)dawning
She was (G)asking the (C)road to sweet (G)Carron (F)Lough (G)bay.
Verse 2
(G)I said, "My wee lassie, I canna weel (F)tell ye
Of (G)how many (C)miles or how (G)far it (F)might (G)be,
But if you'll consent, I'll convey you a (F)wee bit
And I'll (G)show you the (C)road to sweet (G)Carron (F)Lough (G)bay."
Verse 3
(G)Just turn to the right and go down by the (F)churchyard,
Cross (G)over the (C)river and (G)down by (F)the (G)sea;
We'll stop at Pat Hamill's and have a wee (F)drop there
And I'll (G)show you the (C)road to sweet (G)Carron (F)Lough (G)bay.
Verse 4
(G)Here's a health to Pat Hamill, likewise the wee (F)lassie,
And (G)every (C)laddie that's (G)listening (F)to (G)me;
And ne’er turn your back on a bonnie wee (F)lassie,
When she's (G)asking the (C)road to sweet (G)Carron (F)Lough (G)bay.
🎸 Fingerpicking Tab – First Verse (in G)
Use a gentle 3/4 arpeggio pattern:
T – i – m – a – m – i
(Thumb = bass, fingers pluck upward through G–B–e strings)
💠 Verse 1 Fingerpicking Tab
G F G C
e|-------3-------3-|-------1-------1-|-------3-------3-|-------0-------0-|
B|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|
G|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
D|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|---2-------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
E|---3-------------|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|
G F G C
e|-------3-------3-|-------1-------1-|-------3-------3-|-------0-------0-|
B|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|
G|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|---0-------0-----|
D|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|---2-------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
E|---3-------------|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|
G F G
e|-------3-------3-|-------1-------1-|-------3-------3-|
B|-----0---0---0---|-----1---1---1---|-----0---0---0---|
G|---0-------0-----|---2-------2-----|---0-------0-----|
D|-----------------|---3-------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|---3-------------|-----------------|---3-------------|
This gives a lilting, harp-like motion — perfect for Irish storytelling songs like this.
Let the notes ring slightly into each other to keep the texture smooth and full.
Tab in the key of A.
(A)Winter was brawling, o'er high hills and (G)mountains
And (A)dark were the (D)clouds o'er the (A)deep rol(G)ling s(A)ea,
I met a wee lass as the daylight was (G)dawning
She was (A)asking the (D)road to sweet (A)Carron (G)Lough (A)bay.
Sweet Carnlough Bay tenor guitar / mandola tab-Tuning CGDA
Irish folk song Sweet Carnlough Bay mandolin sheet music tab in G Major
Here's The Sheet Music for Sweet Carnlough Bay
Sweet Carnlough Bay tin whistle sheet music with lyrics
Sweet Carnlough Bay sheet music
