The Blarney Roses Grow lyrics and guitar chords
The sheet music, ukulele chords and tin whistle notes are included in the key of G Major for this Irish folk song from Munster.The music time signature is 4/4. Traditional Irish song, recorded by Fiddlers Green Josef Loche, Danny Doyle [who was the first man to do a recording of The Fields Of Athenry ] and The Willoughby Brothers. I have given the guitar chords in two keys, D and G in chordpro format.
[D]Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?
It may be down in Limerick town or[G] over in Mayo.
It's some[D]where in the Em'rald Isle, but[G] this I want to know:
Can [D]anybody tell me where the[G] Blarney Roses [D]grow
'Twas over in ould Ireland near the town of Cushendall,
One morn I met a damsel there, the fairest of them all.
'Twas with my young affections and my money did she go,
And she told me she belonged to where the Blarney Roses grow
Her cheeks were like the roses, her hair a raven hue.
Before that she was done with me, she had me raving too.
She left me sorely stranded, not a coin she left, you know,
And she told me she belonged to where the Blarney Roses grow
They've roses in Killarney, and the same in County Clare,
But 'pon my word those roses, boys, I can't see anywhere.
She blarney'd me and, by the powers, she left me broke -- ho, ho! --
Did this damsel that belonged to where the Blarney Roses grow.
Acushla gra-machree, me boys, she murmured soft, did she,
"If you belong to Ireland, it's yourself belongs to me."
Her Donegal come-all-ye brogue, it captured me, you know.
Bad scram to her and that same place, where the Blarney Roses grow
It may be down in Limerick town or[G] over in Mayo.
It's some[D]where in the Em'rald Isle, but[G] this I want to know:
Can [D]anybody tell me where the[G] Blarney Roses [D]grow
'Twas over in ould Ireland near the town of Cushendall,
One morn I met a damsel there, the fairest of them all.
'Twas with my young affections and my money did she go,
And she told me she belonged to where the Blarney Roses grow
Her cheeks were like the roses, her hair a raven hue.
Before that she was done with me, she had me raving too.
She left me sorely stranded, not a coin she left, you know,
And she told me she belonged to where the Blarney Roses grow
They've roses in Killarney, and the same in County Clare,
But 'pon my word those roses, boys, I can't see anywhere.
She blarney'd me and, by the powers, she left me broke -- ho, ho! --
Did this damsel that belonged to where the Blarney Roses grow.
Acushla gra-machree, me boys, she murmured soft, did she,
"If you belong to Ireland, it's yourself belongs to me."
Her Donegal come-all-ye brogue, it captured me, you know.
Bad scram to her and that same place, where the Blarney Roses grow
“The Blarney Roses” is a lively Irish singalong, perfect for guitar. Here’s the full chord sheet with a clear strumming pattern and chords on every verse, arranged in the traditional key of D Major for easy group playing.
🎵 The Blarney Roses
Key: D Major
Tempo: Bright (Irish pub tempo ~95–100 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Common Irish Folk)
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
or
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Keep it steady and swinging, emphasizing the first beat of each bar.
(Think of “Whiskey in the Jar” or “Wild Rover” rhythm.)
Verse 1
[D]Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?
It may be down in Limerick town or [G]over in Ma[D]yo.
It's some[D]where in the Em'rald Isle, but [G]this I want to [D]know:
Can [D]anybody tell me where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow?
Verse 2
[D]'Twas over in ould Ireland near the town of Cushendall,
One morn I met a damsel there, the [G]fairest of them [D]all.
'Twas with my young affections and my [G]money did she [D]go,
And she [D]told me she belonged to where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow.
Verse 3
[D]Her cheeks were like the roses, her hair a raven hue.
Before that she was done with me, she [G]had me raving [D]too.
She left me sorely stranded, not a [G]coin she left, you [D]know,
And she [D]told me she belonged to where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow.
Verse 4
[D]They've roses in Killarney, and the same in County Clare,
But 'pon my word those roses, boys, I [G]can't see any[D]where.
She blarney'd me and, by the powers, she [G]left me broke—ho, [D]ho!--
Did this [D]damsel that belonged to where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow.
Verse 5
[D]Acushla gra-machree, me boys, she murmured soft, did she,
"If you belong to Ireland, it's your[G]self belongs to [D]me."
Her Donegal come-all-ye brogue, it [G]captured me, you [D]know,
Bad [D]scram to her and that same place, where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow.
🎸 Optional Ending / Tag Line
Slow down the last line for a pub-style finish:
Can [D]anybody tell me where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow?
→ End on a ringing D chord — strum once and let it fade.
🌿 — here’s “The Blarney Roses” transposed to G Major, complete with chords for all verses and an easy Irish folk strumming pattern.
This key sits comfortably for most singers and sounds bright on acoustic guitar.
🎵 The Blarney Roses
Key: G Major
Tempo: Moderate / Irish pub rhythm (~95–100 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Irish Folk Feel)
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
or simply
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Keep it steady and bouncy — accent the first beat in each bar.
(Think “Wild Rover” or “Tell Me Ma.”)
Verse 1
[G]Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?
It may be down in Limerick town or [C]over in Ma[G]yo.
It's some[G]where in the Em'rald Isle, but [C]this I want to [G]know:
Can [G]anybody tell me where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow?
Verse 2
[G]'Twas over in ould Ireland near the town of Cushendall,
One morn I met a damsel there, the [C]fairest of them [G]all.
'Twas with my young affections and my [C]money did she [G]go,
And she [G]told me she belonged to where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow.
Verse 3
[G]Her cheeks were like the roses, her hair a raven hue.
Before that she was done with me, she [C]had me raving [G]too.
She left me sorely stranded, not a [C]coin she left, you [G]know,
And she [G]told me she belonged to where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow.
Verse 4
[G]They've roses in Killarney, and the same in County Clare,
But 'pon my word those roses, boys, I [C]can't see any[G]where.
She blarney'd me and, by the powers, she [C]left me broke—ho, [G]ho!--
Did this [G]damsel that belonged to where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow.
Verse 5
[G]Acushla gra-machree, me boys, she murmured soft, did she,
"If you belong to Ireland, it's your[C]self belongs to [G]me."
Her Donegal come-all-ye brogue, it [C]captured me, you [G]know,
Bad [G]scram to her and that same place, where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow.
🎸 Optional Ending / Tag
Slow the last line for a singalong-style finish:
Can [G]anybody tell me where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow?
→ End with one full strum on G and let it ring.
Fingerpicking tab
☘️ Verse 1
[G]Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?
e|-------3-----------3-----------3-----------3-----------3-----------3----|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0--|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0|
D|--0-----------0-----------0-----------0-----------0-----------0----------|
A|--2------------------------2------------------------2--------------------|
E|--3------------------------3------------------------3--------------------|
G G G G G
It may be down in Limerick town or [C]over in Ma[G]yo.
e|-------3-----------0-----------3-----------0-----------3-----------3----|
B|-----0---0-------1---1-------0---0-------1---1-------0---0-------0---0--|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0|
D|--0-----------2-----------0-----------2-----------0-----------0----------|
A|--2-----------3------------------------3-----------2--------------------|
E|--3------------------------------------------------3--------------------|
G C G C G
It's some[G]where in the Em'rald Isle, but [C]this I want to [G]know:
e|-------3-----------3-----------0-----------0-----------3-----------3----|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------1---1-------1---1-------0---0-------0---0--|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0|
D|--0-----------0-----------2-----------2-----------0-----------0----------|
A|--2------------------------3------------------------2--------------------|
E|--3------------------------------------------------3--------------------|
G G C C G
Can [G]anybody tell me where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow?
e|-------3-----------0-----------3-----------0-----------3-----------3----|
B|-----0---0-------1---1-------0---0-------1---1-------0---0-------0---0--|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0|
D|--0-----------2-----------0-----------2-----------0-----------0----------|
A|--2-----------3------------------------3-----------2--------------------|
E|--3------------------------------------------------3--------------------|
G C G C G
🎵 Chord Reference
G 320003
C x32010
🇮🇪 Performance Tips
Keep a steady 4/4 rhythm, but let it bounce slightly like a march.
Thumb alternates bass: G→D on G chord, C→G on C chord.
Use light palm muting on bass notes for a traditional “pub ballad” sound.
In later verses, open up your strumming for singalong energy!
🎵 The Blarney Roses
Key: D Major
Tempo: Bright (Irish pub tempo ~95–100 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Common Irish Folk)
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
or
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Keep it steady and swinging, emphasizing the first beat of each bar.
(Think of “Whiskey in the Jar” or “Wild Rover” rhythm.)
Verse 1
[D]Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?
It may be down in Limerick town or [G]over in Ma[D]yo.
It's some[D]where in the Em'rald Isle, but [G]this I want to [D]know:
Can [D]anybody tell me where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow?
Verse 2
[D]'Twas over in ould Ireland near the town of Cushendall,
One morn I met a damsel there, the [G]fairest of them [D]all.
'Twas with my young affections and my [G]money did she [D]go,
And she [D]told me she belonged to where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow.
Verse 3
[D]Her cheeks were like the roses, her hair a raven hue.
Before that she was done with me, she [G]had me raving [D]too.
She left me sorely stranded, not a [G]coin she left, you [D]know,
And she [D]told me she belonged to where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow.
Verse 4
[D]They've roses in Killarney, and the same in County Clare,
But 'pon my word those roses, boys, I [G]can't see any[D]where.
She blarney'd me and, by the powers, she [G]left me broke—ho, [D]ho!--
Did this [D]damsel that belonged to where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow.
Verse 5
[D]Acushla gra-machree, me boys, she murmured soft, did she,
"If you belong to Ireland, it's your[G]self belongs to [D]me."
Her Donegal come-all-ye brogue, it [G]captured me, you [D]know,
Bad [D]scram to her and that same place, where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow.
🎸 Optional Ending / Tag Line
Slow down the last line for a pub-style finish:
Can [D]anybody tell me where the [G]Blarney Roses [D]grow?
→ End on a ringing D chord — strum once and let it fade.
🌿 — here’s “The Blarney Roses” transposed to G Major, complete with chords for all verses and an easy Irish folk strumming pattern.
This key sits comfortably for most singers and sounds bright on acoustic guitar.
🎵 The Blarney Roses
Key: G Major
Tempo: Moderate / Irish pub rhythm (~95–100 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Irish Folk Feel)
Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up
or simply
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Keep it steady and bouncy — accent the first beat in each bar.
(Think “Wild Rover” or “Tell Me Ma.”)
Verse 1
[G]Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?
It may be down in Limerick town or [C]over in Ma[G]yo.
It's some[G]where in the Em'rald Isle, but [C]this I want to [G]know:
Can [G]anybody tell me where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow?
Verse 2
[G]'Twas over in ould Ireland near the town of Cushendall,
One morn I met a damsel there, the [C]fairest of them [G]all.
'Twas with my young affections and my [C]money did she [G]go,
And she [G]told me she belonged to where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow.
Verse 3
[G]Her cheeks were like the roses, her hair a raven hue.
Before that she was done with me, she [C]had me raving [G]too.
She left me sorely stranded, not a [C]coin she left, you [G]know,
And she [G]told me she belonged to where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow.
Verse 4
[G]They've roses in Killarney, and the same in County Clare,
But 'pon my word those roses, boys, I [C]can't see any[G]where.
She blarney'd me and, by the powers, she [C]left me broke—ho, [G]ho!--
Did this [G]damsel that belonged to where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow.
Verse 5
[G]Acushla gra-machree, me boys, she murmured soft, did she,
"If you belong to Ireland, it's your[C]self belongs to [G]me."
Her Donegal come-all-ye brogue, it [C]captured me, you [G]know,
Bad [G]scram to her and that same place, where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow.
🎸 Optional Ending / Tag
Slow the last line for a singalong-style finish:
Can [G]anybody tell me where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow?
→ End with one full strum on G and let it ring.
Fingerpicking tab
☘️ Verse 1
[G]Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?
e|-------3-----------3-----------3-----------3-----------3-----------3----|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0--|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0|
D|--0-----------0-----------0-----------0-----------0-----------0----------|
A|--2------------------------2------------------------2--------------------|
E|--3------------------------3------------------------3--------------------|
G G G G G
It may be down in Limerick town or [C]over in Ma[G]yo.
e|-------3-----------0-----------3-----------0-----------3-----------3----|
B|-----0---0-------1---1-------0---0-------1---1-------0---0-------0---0--|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0|
D|--0-----------2-----------0-----------2-----------0-----------0----------|
A|--2-----------3------------------------3-----------2--------------------|
E|--3------------------------------------------------3--------------------|
G C G C G
It's some[G]where in the Em'rald Isle, but [C]this I want to [G]know:
e|-------3-----------3-----------0-----------0-----------3-----------3----|
B|-----0---0-------0---0-------1---1-------1---1-------0---0-------0---0--|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0|
D|--0-----------0-----------2-----------2-----------0-----------0----------|
A|--2------------------------3------------------------2--------------------|
E|--3------------------------------------------------3--------------------|
G G C C G
Can [G]anybody tell me where the [C]Blarney Roses [G]grow?
e|-------3-----------0-----------3-----------0-----------3-----------3----|
B|-----0---0-------1---1-------0---0-------1---1-------0---0-------0---0--|
G|---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0|
D|--0-----------2-----------0-----------2-----------0-----------0----------|
A|--2-----------3------------------------3-----------2--------------------|
E|--3------------------------------------------------3--------------------|
G C G C G
🎵 Chord Reference
G 320003
C x32010
🇮🇪 Performance Tips
Keep a steady 4/4 rhythm, but let it bounce slightly like a march.
Thumb alternates bass: G→D on G chord, C→G on C chord.
Use light palm muting on bass notes for a traditional “pub ballad” sound.
In later verses, open up your strumming for singalong energy!
Below are the Ukulele Chords for The Blarney Roses.
About The Song
This song is a mighty fine cautionary tale about that most dangerous of Irish flora: the mythical Blarney Rose, which apparently grows wherever there’s a woman with charm enough to rob a man blind while smiling at him.
The lad begins by asking where these Blarney Roses grow — Limerick? Mayo? Galway?
Truth is — they don’t grow in any field…
they grow in the hearts of crafty Irish women who can talk you out of your shirt.
He meets a lovely lass near Cushendall — cheeks like roses, hair black as a raven’s wing — and he falls for her faster than a drunk man falls off a barstool. Before he knows it, she’s made off with:
He discovers that in Ireland, take care — the roses in Killarney are harmless enough, the ones in Clare are grand — but these Blarney Roses are rose-cheeked women armed with lethal charm.
Her weapon of choice?
Not a pistol.
Not a dagger.
But Blarney — the ancient Irish art of saying impossible things in a voice so soft you don’t realise you’re doomed.
She whispers to him:
“If you belong to Ireland, you belong to me.”
And sure, he’s so enthralled by her Donegal accent, he’d have signed away the family farm, the cows, and three generations of future children.
By the end, he curses her — and the place where these roses grow — though I’d wager he’d fall for her all over again if she so much as fluttered an eyelash in his direction.
In short, the song is:
This song is a mighty fine cautionary tale about that most dangerous of Irish flora: the mythical Blarney Rose, which apparently grows wherever there’s a woman with charm enough to rob a man blind while smiling at him.
The lad begins by asking where these Blarney Roses grow — Limerick? Mayo? Galway?
Truth is — they don’t grow in any field…
they grow in the hearts of crafty Irish women who can talk you out of your shirt.
He meets a lovely lass near Cushendall — cheeks like roses, hair black as a raven’s wing — and he falls for her faster than a drunk man falls off a barstool. Before he knows it, she’s made off with:
- his affections,
- his sanity,
- and most importantly,
- his wallet.
He discovers that in Ireland, take care — the roses in Killarney are harmless enough, the ones in Clare are grand — but these Blarney Roses are rose-cheeked women armed with lethal charm.
Her weapon of choice?
Not a pistol.
Not a dagger.
But Blarney — the ancient Irish art of saying impossible things in a voice so soft you don’t realise you’re doomed.
She whispers to him:
“If you belong to Ireland, you belong to me.”
And sure, he’s so enthralled by her Donegal accent, he’d have signed away the family farm, the cows, and three generations of future children.
By the end, he curses her — and the place where these roses grow — though I’d wager he’d fall for her all over again if she so much as fluttered an eyelash in his direction.
In short, the song is:
- a romantic misadventure,
- a financial disaster,
- and a hilarious warning to Irishmen everywhere:
