The Craic Was 90 In The Isle Of Man, lyrics and chords
Written by Barney Rush.A song about women , porter ,fighting ,the craic and being deported all in the one weekend ,What a life .This was made famous by Paddy Reilly and Christy Moore, but the video is of The Dublin City Ramblers in their hay-day, Kevin Molloy doing the singing, A very fast song, not much time for gargle while singing this one. Originally the title of this song was ''Crack'' and not Craic. The youtube video is by The Dublin City Ramblers.
ISLE OF MAN RUCTIONS
The word ‘crack’ has been translated to ‘craic’ in Gaelic
and is purported to cover any state ofaffairsfrom drunken
and disorderly behaviour to lechery and benevolent
violence. Trips to the Isle of Man result in this often
disgraceful behaviour to this day and such Paddywhack
is to be eschewed by the discerning traveller. However,
Paddy Reilly and his gang would have us believe they had
a grand aul’ time of it
ISLE OF MAN RUCTIONS
The word ‘crack’ has been translated to ‘craic’ in Gaelic
and is purported to cover any state ofaffairsfrom drunken
and disorderly behaviour to lechery and benevolent
violence. Trips to the Isle of Man result in this often
disgraceful behaviour to this day and such Paddywhack
is to be eschewed by the discerning traveller. However,
Paddy Reilly and his gang would have us believe they had
a grand aul’ time of it
[G]well weren't we the rare oul stock
spent the evenin' gettin' locked
up[D] in the ace o' hearts
where the[G] high stools were en[C]gaging
[G]over the butt bridge, down by the dock,
the boat she sailed at five o'clock.
[D]hurry boys now , said whack
or[G] before we're there we're[C] all be back
[D]carry him if you can
the[G] craic was ninety[D] in the isle of[G] man.
before we reached the alexander base
the ding dong we did surely raise
in the bar of the ship we had great sport
as the boat she sailed out of the port
landed up in the douglas head
enquired for a vacant bed
the dining room we soon got shown
by a decent woman up the road
lads, eat it if ye can
the craic was ninety in the isle of man.
next morning we went for a ramble round
viewed the sights of douglas town
then we went for a mighty seisiun
in a pub they call dick darbys.
we must have been drunk by half past three
to sober up we went swimmin' in the sea
back to the digs for the spruce up
and while waitin' for the fry
we all drew up our plan.
the craic was ninety in the isle of man.
that night we went to the texas bar,
came back down by horse and car
met big jim and all went in
to drink some wine in yales
the liverpool judies it was said
were all to be found in the douglas head.
mcshane was there in his suit and shirt.
them foreign girls he was tryin' to flirt.
sayin' here, girls, im your man
the craic was ninety in the isle of man.
whacker fancied his good looks
on an isle of man woman he was struck
and he throwin' the jar into her.
whacker thought he'd take a chance
he asked the quare one out to dance
around the floor they stepped it out
and to whack it was no bother
everythin' was goin' to plan.
the craic was ninety in the isle of man.
the isle of man woman fancied whack
yer man stood there till his mates came back
whack! they all whacked into whack
whack was landed on his back.
the police force arrived as well,
banjoed a couple of them as well
landed up in the douglas jail
until the dublin boat did sail,
deported every man.
the craic was ninety in the isle of man
spent the evenin' gettin' locked
up[D] in the ace o' hearts
where the[G] high stools were en[C]gaging
[G]over the butt bridge, down by the dock,
the boat she sailed at five o'clock.
[D]hurry boys now , said whack
or[G] before we're there we're[C] all be back
[D]carry him if you can
the[G] craic was ninety[D] in the isle of[G] man.
before we reached the alexander base
the ding dong we did surely raise
in the bar of the ship we had great sport
as the boat she sailed out of the port
landed up in the douglas head
enquired for a vacant bed
the dining room we soon got shown
by a decent woman up the road
lads, eat it if ye can
the craic was ninety in the isle of man.
next morning we went for a ramble round
viewed the sights of douglas town
then we went for a mighty seisiun
in a pub they call dick darbys.
we must have been drunk by half past three
to sober up we went swimmin' in the sea
back to the digs for the spruce up
and while waitin' for the fry
we all drew up our plan.
the craic was ninety in the isle of man.
that night we went to the texas bar,
came back down by horse and car
met big jim and all went in
to drink some wine in yales
the liverpool judies it was said
were all to be found in the douglas head.
mcshane was there in his suit and shirt.
them foreign girls he was tryin' to flirt.
sayin' here, girls, im your man
the craic was ninety in the isle of man.
whacker fancied his good looks
on an isle of man woman he was struck
and he throwin' the jar into her.
whacker thought he'd take a chance
he asked the quare one out to dance
around the floor they stepped it out
and to whack it was no bother
everythin' was goin' to plan.
the craic was ninety in the isle of man.
the isle of man woman fancied whack
yer man stood there till his mates came back
whack! they all whacked into whack
whack was landed on his back.
the police force arrived as well,
banjoed a couple of them as well
landed up in the douglas jail
until the dublin boat did sail,
deported every man.
the craic was ninety in the isle of man
Here are the chords embedded into all the verses, followed by the strumming pattern and the fingerpicking tab.
---
## 🇮🇲 "The Craic Was Ninety in the Isle of Man" Chords in G Major
### Verse 1
Well **[G]** weren't we the rare oul stock
spent the evenin' gettin' locked
up **[D]** in the ace o' hearts
where the **[G]** high stools were en **[C]** gaging
**[G]** over the butt bridge, down by the dock,
the boat she sailed at five o'clock.
**[D]** hurry boys now , said whack
or **[G]** before we're there we're **[C]** all be back
**[D]** carry him if you can
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 2
Be **[G]** fore we reached the alexander base
the ding dong we did surely raise
in the **[D]** bar of the ship we had great sport
as the **[G]** boat she sailed out of the **[C]** port
**[G]** landed up in the douglas head
enquired for a vacant bed
the **[D]** dining room we soon got shown
by a decent woman up the road
**[D]** lads, eat it if ye can
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 3
Next **[G]** morning we went for a ramble round
viewed the sights of douglas town
then we **[D]** went for a mighty seisiun
in a **[G]** pub they call dick **[C]** darbys.
**[G]** we must have been drunk by half past three
to sober up we went swimmin' in the sea
**[D]** back to the digs for the spruce up
and while waitin' for the fry
**[D]** we all drew up our plan.
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 4
That **[G]** night we went to the texas bar,
came back down by horse and car
met **[D]** big jim and all went in
to **[G]** drink some wine in **[C]** yales
**[G]** the liverpool judies it was said
were all to be found in the douglas head.
**[D]** mcshane was there in his suit and shirt.
them foreign girls he was tryin' to flirt.
**[D]** sayin' here, girls, im your man
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 5
**[G]** Whacker fancied his good looks
on an isle of man woman he was struck
and he **[D]** throwin' the jar into her.
**[G]** whacker thought he'd take a **[C]** chance
**[G]** he asked the quare one out to dance
around the floor they stepped it out
and to **[D]** whack it was no bother
everythin' was goin' to plan.
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 6
The **[G]** isle of man woman fancied whack
yer man stood there till his mates came back
**[D]** whack! they all whacked into whack
whack was **[G]** landed on his **[C]** back.
**[G]** the police force arrived as well,
banjoed a couple of them as well
**[D]** landed up in the douglas jail
until the dublin boat did sail,
**[D]** deported every man.
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man
---
## 🎸 Strumming Pattern
This is a fast-paced song, usually played in **4/4 time**. A driving, energetic Irish/Folk strum is needed.
**Pattern (Per Bar):** $$\text{Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up}$$
* **Rhythm:** **1** (and) **2** & **3** & **4** &
* **Tempo:** Play this quickly and with a strong, confident wrist action.
* **Tip:** Try to keep your strumming hand moving constantly to maintain momentum.
---
## ✨ Standard Fingerpicking Tab (Verse 1)
For this type of song, a common technique is an **alternating bass pattern** where the thumb plays the root note of the chord on beats 1 and 3, and a high string is plucked on beats 2 and 4 (or on the "ands").
This tab shows a simple 4/4 folk pattern: **Thumb (p) - Index/Middle (i/m) - Thumb (p) - Index/Middle (i/m)**
### Verse 1 (G $\rightarrow$ D $\rightarrow$ G $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ D)
| Chord | **G (x2)** | **D (x1)** | **G (x2)** | **C (x1)** | **G (x2)** | **D (x1)** | **G (x1)** | **C (x1)** | **D (x1)** | **G (x2)** |
| :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| e | x | 2 | x | x | x | 2 | x | x | 2 | x |
| B | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| G | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| A | 2 | x | 2 | 3 | 2 | x | 2 | 3 | x | 2 |
| E | 3 | x | 3 | x | 3 | x | 3 | x | x | 3 |
| **Beats** | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 |
| *Lyrics* | well weren't we the rare oul stock... | ...up in the ace o' hearts... | ...were engaging | over the butt bridge... | ...sailed at five o'clock | hurry boys now said whack... | ...we're all be back | carry him if you can... | ...in the isle of man. |
Would you like me to find a YouTube video of this song being played on guitar to help you hear the rhythm and feel?
---
## 🇮🇲 "The Craic Was Ninety in the Isle of Man" Chords in G Major
### Verse 1
Well **[G]** weren't we the rare oul stock
spent the evenin' gettin' locked
up **[D]** in the ace o' hearts
where the **[G]** high stools were en **[C]** gaging
**[G]** over the butt bridge, down by the dock,
the boat she sailed at five o'clock.
**[D]** hurry boys now , said whack
or **[G]** before we're there we're **[C]** all be back
**[D]** carry him if you can
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 2
Be **[G]** fore we reached the alexander base
the ding dong we did surely raise
in the **[D]** bar of the ship we had great sport
as the **[G]** boat she sailed out of the **[C]** port
**[G]** landed up in the douglas head
enquired for a vacant bed
the **[D]** dining room we soon got shown
by a decent woman up the road
**[D]** lads, eat it if ye can
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 3
Next **[G]** morning we went for a ramble round
viewed the sights of douglas town
then we **[D]** went for a mighty seisiun
in a **[G]** pub they call dick **[C]** darbys.
**[G]** we must have been drunk by half past three
to sober up we went swimmin' in the sea
**[D]** back to the digs for the spruce up
and while waitin' for the fry
**[D]** we all drew up our plan.
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 4
That **[G]** night we went to the texas bar,
came back down by horse and car
met **[D]** big jim and all went in
to **[G]** drink some wine in **[C]** yales
**[G]** the liverpool judies it was said
were all to be found in the douglas head.
**[D]** mcshane was there in his suit and shirt.
them foreign girls he was tryin' to flirt.
**[D]** sayin' here, girls, im your man
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 5
**[G]** Whacker fancied his good looks
on an isle of man woman he was struck
and he **[D]** throwin' the jar into her.
**[G]** whacker thought he'd take a **[C]** chance
**[G]** he asked the quare one out to dance
around the floor they stepped it out
and to **[D]** whack it was no bother
everythin' was goin' to plan.
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man.
### Verse 6
The **[G]** isle of man woman fancied whack
yer man stood there till his mates came back
**[D]** whack! they all whacked into whack
whack was **[G]** landed on his **[C]** back.
**[G]** the police force arrived as well,
banjoed a couple of them as well
**[D]** landed up in the douglas jail
until the dublin boat did sail,
**[D]** deported every man.
the **[G]** craic was ninety **[D]** in the isle of **[G]** man
---
## 🎸 Strumming Pattern
This is a fast-paced song, usually played in **4/4 time**. A driving, energetic Irish/Folk strum is needed.
**Pattern (Per Bar):** $$\text{Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up}$$
* **Rhythm:** **1** (and) **2** & **3** & **4** &
* **Tempo:** Play this quickly and with a strong, confident wrist action.
* **Tip:** Try to keep your strumming hand moving constantly to maintain momentum.
---
## ✨ Standard Fingerpicking Tab (Verse 1)
For this type of song, a common technique is an **alternating bass pattern** where the thumb plays the root note of the chord on beats 1 and 3, and a high string is plucked on beats 2 and 4 (or on the "ands").
This tab shows a simple 4/4 folk pattern: **Thumb (p) - Index/Middle (i/m) - Thumb (p) - Index/Middle (i/m)**
### Verse 1 (G $\rightarrow$ D $\rightarrow$ G $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ D)
| Chord | **G (x2)** | **D (x1)** | **G (x2)** | **C (x1)** | **G (x2)** | **D (x1)** | **G (x1)** | **C (x1)** | **D (x1)** | **G (x2)** |
| :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| e | x | 2 | x | x | x | 2 | x | x | 2 | x |
| B | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| G | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| A | 2 | x | 2 | 3 | 2 | x | 2 | 3 | x | 2 |
| E | 3 | x | 3 | x | 3 | x | 3 | x | x | 3 |
| **Beats** | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 |
| *Lyrics* | well weren't we the rare oul stock... | ...up in the ace o' hearts... | ...were engaging | over the butt bridge... | ...sailed at five o'clock | hurry boys now said whack... | ...we're all be back | carry him if you can... | ...in the isle of man. |
Would you like me to find a YouTube video of this song being played on guitar to help you hear the rhythm and feel?
Guitar Chords In The Key Of D
[D]well weren't we the rare oul stock
spent the evenin' gettin' locked
up[A] in the ace o' hearts
where the[D] high stools were en[G]gaging
[D]over the butt bridge, down by the dock,
the boat she sailed at five o'clock.
[A]hurry boys now , said whack
or[D] before we're there we're[G] all be back
[A]carry him if you can
the[D] craic was ninety[A] in the isle of[D] man.
Key of C
[C]well weren't we the rare oul stock
spent the evenin' gettin' locked
up[G] in the ace o' hearts
where the[C] high stools were en[F]gaging
[C]over the butt bridge, down by the dock,
the boat she sailed at five o'clock.
[G]hurry boys now , said whack
or[C] before we're there we're[F] all be back
[G]carry him if you can
the[C] craic was ninety[G] in the isle of[C] man.
spent the evenin' gettin' locked
up[A] in the ace o' hearts
where the[D] high stools were en[G]gaging
[D]over the butt bridge, down by the dock,
the boat she sailed at five o'clock.
[A]hurry boys now , said whack
or[D] before we're there we're[G] all be back
[A]carry him if you can
the[D] craic was ninety[A] in the isle of[D] man.
Key of C
[C]well weren't we the rare oul stock
spent the evenin' gettin' locked
up[G] in the ace o' hearts
where the[C] high stools were en[F]gaging
[C]over the butt bridge, down by the dock,
the boat she sailed at five o'clock.
[G]hurry boys now , said whack
or[C] before we're there we're[F] all be back
[G]carry him if you can
the[C] craic was ninety[G] in the isle of[C] man.
Ballad singer Christy Moore
About The Song.
pull up a stool and let me paint the picture of this musical mayhem — this song is pure Irish hooliganry wrapped in melody. It’s the tale of a posse of Dublin lads who decide to export their madness to the Isle of Man — like a stag party before stag parties were invented.
It begins:
The boys are in The Ace o’ Hearts pub, getting more locked than a bank vault. The high stools are “engagin’,” meaning they’re glued to the seats like barnacles on a pier, and over the Butt Bridge they go, down to the docks, staggering like newborn foals.
They’re racing to catch the ferry — which is leaving at five — and Whack is shouting:
“Quick lads — move yer legs or we’ll miss it — and if we miss it, we’ll be back before we get there!”
And if one lad can’t walk straight, the verdict is:
“Carry him if ye can.”
Already the craic is ninety — in other words, the banter and pure nonsense is off the charts.
On the boat:
They raise a racket before they even leave port.
In the ship’s bar they turn into a traveling circus — drinking like camels with a death wish — and by the time they land in Douglas Head they’re wobbling through town asking for a vacant bed like drunken pilgrims.
Some kind local woman shows them a room and something resembling food, and the lads declare:
“Eat it if ye can!”
Because apparently dinner looks like it fought back.
Next morning:
They stroll the sights — probably loudly — then hit Dick Darby’s pub for a mighty session, meaning:
music + drink + chaos
By half past three they’re drunk enough to attempt wisdom, so to sober up they jump in the sea — which is peak Irish logic:
That night:
They hit the Texas Bar, arrive by horse and cart because taxis are for sober people, then end up in Yale’s drinking wine — yes wine — like posh savages.
They spot the “Liverpool Judies” — basically local women with accents thick enough to stop bullets — and McShane, slick as melted butter, tries to flirt in his suit and shirt, declaring:
“Here girls — I’m your man!”
Then the romance portion:
Whacker decides he’s irresistible
and chats up a local woman.
He manages to get her dancing,
thinks he’s James Bond,
and everything’s going to plan…
…until…
Her boyfriend, also the size of a small tractor, walks in.
Suddenly:
Whack gets whacked.
They flatten him like an accordion, and when the police arrive — they helpfully hit everyone as well.
So the night ends in Douglas jail — like a school tour gone criminal — until the Irish embassy arrives in the form of:
“the Dublin boat”
And they’re deported like drunken seagulls.
Moral of the story:
The craic was ninety,
the carnage was mighty,
Whack was flattened,
the police joined in,
and despite the hangovers, bruises, and probable legal bans:
They’d do it again tomorrow.
Sláinte!
pull up a stool and let me paint the picture of this musical mayhem — this song is pure Irish hooliganry wrapped in melody. It’s the tale of a posse of Dublin lads who decide to export their madness to the Isle of Man — like a stag party before stag parties were invented.
It begins:
The boys are in The Ace o’ Hearts pub, getting more locked than a bank vault. The high stools are “engagin’,” meaning they’re glued to the seats like barnacles on a pier, and over the Butt Bridge they go, down to the docks, staggering like newborn foals.
They’re racing to catch the ferry — which is leaving at five — and Whack is shouting:
“Quick lads — move yer legs or we’ll miss it — and if we miss it, we’ll be back before we get there!”
And if one lad can’t walk straight, the verdict is:
“Carry him if ye can.”
Already the craic is ninety — in other words, the banter and pure nonsense is off the charts.
On the boat:
They raise a racket before they even leave port.
In the ship’s bar they turn into a traveling circus — drinking like camels with a death wish — and by the time they land in Douglas Head they’re wobbling through town asking for a vacant bed like drunken pilgrims.
Some kind local woman shows them a room and something resembling food, and the lads declare:
“Eat it if ye can!”
Because apparently dinner looks like it fought back.
Next morning:
They stroll the sights — probably loudly — then hit Dick Darby’s pub for a mighty session, meaning:
music + drink + chaos
By half past three they’re drunk enough to attempt wisdom, so to sober up they jump in the sea — which is peak Irish logic:
- Too drunk to walk?
- Solution: hypothermic drowning!
That night:
They hit the Texas Bar, arrive by horse and cart because taxis are for sober people, then end up in Yale’s drinking wine — yes wine — like posh savages.
They spot the “Liverpool Judies” — basically local women with accents thick enough to stop bullets — and McShane, slick as melted butter, tries to flirt in his suit and shirt, declaring:
“Here girls — I’m your man!”
Then the romance portion:
Whacker decides he’s irresistible
and chats up a local woman.
He manages to get her dancing,
thinks he’s James Bond,
and everything’s going to plan…
…until…
Her boyfriend, also the size of a small tractor, walks in.
Suddenly:
Whack gets whacked.
They flatten him like an accordion, and when the police arrive — they helpfully hit everyone as well.
So the night ends in Douglas jail — like a school tour gone criminal — until the Irish embassy arrives in the form of:
“the Dublin boat”
And they’re deported like drunken seagulls.
Moral of the story:
The craic was ninety,
the carnage was mighty,
Whack was flattened,
the police joined in,
and despite the hangovers, bruises, and probable legal bans:
They’d do it again tomorrow.
Sláinte!
