The Dark Green Woods Song Lyrics And Chords
4/4 (Tommy Makem) In order to play along with Tommy Makem [ songs ] use a capo on the 3rd fret for a key of F major. Chords by Marc.
In the (A)dark green woods, when the (D)sun was (G)high
I (A)saw a lady (G)riding (A)by
She had flashing (G)eyes and (D)golden (A)hair
She rode u(G)pon a (Em)dappled (A)mare
In the (A)dark green woods, by the (D)last bird's (G)call
There (A)came a soldier (G)straight and (A)tall
He found his (G)true love (D)waiting (A)there
And he kissed her (G)eyes and her (Em)golden (A)hair
In the (A)dark green woods, by the (D)evening (G)star
I (A)saw a soldier (G)ride to (A)war
He never (G)would re(D)turn a(A)gain
For in some (G)battle, (Em)he was (A)slain
In the (A)dark green woods, the (D)people (G)said
She (A)heard the news her (G)love was (A)dead
But still she (G)waited (D)for him (A)there
With flowers (G)in her (Em)golden (A)hair
In the (A)dark green woods, by the (D)pale moon(G)light
A (A)ghost goes riding (G)every (A)night
She has golden (G)hair, the (D)people (A)say
And talks to (G)shadows (Em)on her (A)way
I (A)saw a lady (G)riding (A)by
She had flashing (G)eyes and (D)golden (A)hair
She rode u(G)pon a (Em)dappled (A)mare
In the (A)dark green woods, by the (D)last bird's (G)call
There (A)came a soldier (G)straight and (A)tall
He found his (G)true love (D)waiting (A)there
And he kissed her (G)eyes and her (Em)golden (A)hair
In the (A)dark green woods, by the (D)evening (G)star
I (A)saw a soldier (G)ride to (A)war
He never (G)would re(D)turn a(A)gain
For in some (G)battle, (Em)he was (A)slain
In the (A)dark green woods, the (D)people (G)said
She (A)heard the news her (G)love was (A)dead
But still she (G)waited (D)for him (A)there
With flowers (G)in her (Em)golden (A)hair
In the (A)dark green woods, by the (D)pale moon(G)light
A (A)ghost goes riding (G)every (A)night
She has golden (G)hair, the (D)people (A)say
And talks to (G)shadows (Em)on her (A)way
"The Dark Green Woods" is not a widely-known traditional folk song title, and the searches suggest it's likely a misremembered or alternative title for a few different songs that feature similar imagery. The most prominent is "In The Dark Green Wood," a song written and performed by the Irish folk artist Tommy Makem.
Here is an overview of the most likely songs the user might be thinking of, focusing on Tommy Makem's version.
"In The Dark Green Wood" by Tommy Makem
This is the most direct match to the user's query.
Other Folk Songs with Similar Titles or Themes
It is very common for folk songs to be known by different titles, and the phrase "dark green woods" appears in several other well-known ballads.
Here is an overview of the most likely songs the user might be thinking of, focusing on Tommy Makem's version.
"In The Dark Green Wood" by Tommy Makem
This is the most direct match to the user's query.
- Origin: This is not a traditional folk ballad but an original composition by Tommy Makem, a key figure in the Irish folk revival. It was released on his 1969 album, In The Dark Green Wood.
- Meaning: The song's lyrics reflect on the pain of parting and the memory of a lost love. The "dark green wood" serves as a setting for a beautiful memory that is now tinged with sorrow. It's a deeply personal and melancholic song that speaks to themes of loneliness and the passage of time.
- Cultural Context: While not a traditional song, it became a part of the folk music canon through Makem's influence and his connection to the traditional Irish music scene.
Other Folk Songs with Similar Titles or Themes
It is very common for folk songs to be known by different titles, and the phrase "dark green woods" appears in several other well-known ballads.
- "The Whistling Gypsy" / "The Gypsy Rover": This popular song includes the line, "He whistled and he sang 'til the green woods rang / And he won the heart of a lady." The story is about a beautiful noblewoman who leaves her privileged life to run away with a gypsy, who turns out to be a wealthy lord in disguise.
- "The Ash Grove": This is a traditional Welsh folk song with lyrics that often refer to "the dark shades of the lonely ash grove." The song is a sad reflection on a lover who once met his "dear one" in the grove but has since lost her.
- "Tam Lin": This is an ancient Scottish ballad (Child Ballad 39) that features a young woman venturing into a haunted forest, often described as "Carterhaugh," to meet a fairy knight named Tam Lin. The song is full of dark and magical imagery, and its setting in a deep, mysterious wood is central to the plot.
Here's the guitar chords for the key of D
In the (D)dark green woods, when the (G)sun was (C)high
I (D)saw a lady (C)riding (D)by
She had flashing (C)eyes and (G)golden (D)hair
She rode u(C)pon a (Am)dappled (D)mare
In the (D)dark green woods, by the (G)last bird's (C)call
There (D)came a soldier (C)straight and (D)tall
He found his (C)true love (G)waiting (D)there
And he kissed her (C)eyes and her (Am)golden (D)hair
In the (D)dark green woods, by the (G)evening (C)star
I (D)saw a soldier (C)ride to (D)war
He never (C)would re(G)turn a(D)gain
For in some (C)battle, (Am)he was (D)slain
In the (D)dark green woods, the (G)people (C)said
She (D)heard the news her (C)love was (D)dead
But still she (C)waited (G)for him (D)there
With flowers (C)in her (Am)golden (D)hair
In the (D)dark green woods, by the (G)pale moon(C)light
A (D)ghost goes riding (C)every (D)night
She has golden (C)hair, the (G)people (D)say
And talks to (C)shadows (Am)on her (D)way
In the (D)dark green woods, when the (G)sun was (C)high
I (D)saw a lady (C)riding (D)by
She had flashing (C)eyes and (G)golden (D)hair
She rode u(C)pon a (Am)dappled (D)mare
In the (D)dark green woods, by the (G)last bird's (C)call
There (D)came a soldier (C)straight and (D)tall
He found his (C)true love (G)waiting (D)there
And he kissed her (C)eyes and her (Am)golden (D)hair
In the (D)dark green woods, by the (G)evening (C)star
I (D)saw a soldier (C)ride to (D)war
He never (C)would re(G)turn a(D)gain
For in some (C)battle, (Am)he was (D)slain
In the (D)dark green woods, the (G)people (C)said
She (D)heard the news her (C)love was (D)dead
But still she (C)waited (G)for him (D)there
With flowers (C)in her (Am)golden (D)hair
In the (D)dark green woods, by the (G)pale moon(C)light
A (D)ghost goes riding (C)every (D)night
She has golden (C)hair, the (G)people (D)say
And talks to (C)shadows (Am)on her (D)way
