The Ferryman Lyrics And Chords
Written by Pete St. John Pete has been one of Ireland's finest song writers over the last thirty years or so. This song has recently been recorded by Derek Ryan on his album The Simple Things. This is just one of his classics, others include Danny Farrell-The Rare Old Times [ lyrics ]-Ann Devlin The Fields Of Athenry [ song lyrics ]. This song is usually played in the key of A. I have played it with many bands and they all seem to favour the key of A. Also recorded by Irish folk group ''Tickle The Pig'' and Carlow man Derek Ryan The sheet music in the key of D Major is included along a the violin tab for beginners plus the mandolin / tenor banjo tab.
Guitar tabs for bass, fingerstyle in standard tuning, plus a version in Irish tuning of DADGAD.
The piano sheet music with chords and bass is in the ebook here .
Guitar tabs for bass, fingerstyle in standard tuning, plus a version in Irish tuning of DADGAD.
The piano sheet music with chords and bass is in the ebook here .
Words Without The Chords
The little boats are gone from the breast of Anna Liffy
The ferryman is stranded on the quay
Sure the Dublin docks is dying and a way of life is gone
And Molly it was part of you and me
[Chorus]
Where the Strawberry beds sweep down to the Liffy
You kissed away the worry from my brow
I love you well today and I'll love you more tomorrow
If you ever love me Molly love me now
T'was the only job I knew it was hard but never lonely
The Liffy ferry made a man of me
And it's gone without a whisper and forgotted even now
And sure it's over Molly over can't you see
Well now I'll tend the yard and I'll spend me days in talking
And I'll here them whisper Charlie's on the dole
But Molly we're still living and darling we're still young
And that river never owned me heart and soul
The little boats are gone from the breast of Anna Liffy
The ferryman is stranded on the quay
Sure the Dublin docks is dying and a way of life is gone
And Molly it was part of you and me
[Chorus]
Where the Strawberry beds sweep down to the Liffy
You kissed away the worry from my brow
I love you well today and I'll love you more tomorrow
If you ever love me Molly love me now
T'was the only job I knew it was hard but never lonely
The Liffy ferry made a man of me
And it's gone without a whisper and forgotted even now
And sure it's over Molly over can't you see
Well now I'll tend the yard and I'll spend me days in talking
And I'll here them whisper Charlie's on the dole
But Molly we're still living and darling we're still young
And that river never owned me heart and soul
Learn The Ferryman On Guitar. There's a little riff before the song, so instead of singing ''Nan, Na, Na,'' like I do, it's up to the banjo, whistle or fiddle player to play the riff. I do it here to show what chords to use. By the way the capo is on the first fret here, if you place it on the second and play what I'm playing, you'll be in the key of A.
The[G] little boats are gone from the[C] breast of Anna[G] Liffy
The[C] ferryman is stranded on the[D] quay
Sure the[G] Dublin docks is dying and a[C] way of life is[G] gone
And[D] Molly it was[D7] part of you and[G] me
[Chorus]
Where the[D] Strawberry beds sweep [C]down to the[G] Liffy
You[C] kissed away the worry from my[D] brow
I[G] love you well today and I'll[C] love you more to[G]morrow
If you[D] ever love me[D7] Molly love me[G] now
T'was the only job I knew it was hard but never lonely
The Liffy ferry made a man of me
And it's gone without a whisper and forgotted even now
And sure it's over Molly over can't you see
Well now I'll tend the yard and I'll spend me days in talking
And I'll here them whisper Charlie's on the dole
But Molly we're still living and darling we're still young
And that river never owned me heart and soul
The[C] ferryman is stranded on the[D] quay
Sure the[G] Dublin docks is dying and a[C] way of life is[G] gone
And[D] Molly it was[D7] part of you and[G] me
[Chorus]
Where the[D] Strawberry beds sweep [C]down to the[G] Liffy
You[C] kissed away the worry from my[D] brow
I[G] love you well today and I'll[C] love you more to[G]morrow
If you[D] ever love me[D7] Molly love me[G] now
T'was the only job I knew it was hard but never lonely
The Liffy ferry made a man of me
And it's gone without a whisper and forgotted even now
And sure it's over Molly over can't you see
Well now I'll tend the yard and I'll spend me days in talking
And I'll here them whisper Charlie's on the dole
But Molly we're still living and darling we're still young
And that river never owned me heart and soul
## 🛶 "The Ferryman" Chords in G Major
The song is built on the simple, warm **I-IV-V** folk progression: **G, C, D**, with the addition of **D7** for a nice resolve back to **G**.
### Verse 1
The **[G]** little boats are gone from the **[C]** breast of Anna **[G]** Liffy
The **[C]** ferryman is stranded on the **[D]** quay
Sure the **[G]** Dublin docks is dying and a **[C]** way of life is **[G]** gone
And **[D]** Molly it was **[D7]** part of you and **[G]** me
### Chorus
Where the **[D]** Strawberry beds sweep **[C]** down to the **[G]** Liffy
You **[C]** kissed away the worry from my **[D]** brow
I **[G]** love you well today and I'll **[C]** love you more to **[G]** morrow
If you **[D]** ever love me **[D7]** Molly love me **[G]** now
### Verse 2
T'was the **[G]** only job I knew it was **[C]** hard but never **[G]** lonely
The **[C]** Liffy ferry made a man of **[D]** me
And it's **[G]** gone without a whisper and **[C]** forgotted even **[G]** now
And sure it's **[D]** over Molly **[D7]** over can't you **[G]** see
### Chorus
Where the **[D]** Strawberry beds sweep **[C]** down to the **[G]** Liffy
You **[C]** kissed away the worry from my **[D]** brow
I **[G]** love you well today and I'll **[C]** love you more to **[G]** morrow
If you **[D]** ever love me **[D7]** Molly love me **[G]** now
### Verse 3
Well now **[G]** I'll tend the yard and I'll **[C]** spend me days in **[G]** talking
And I'll **[C]** here them whisper Charlie's on the **[D]** dole
But **[G]** Molly we're still living and **[C]** darling we're still **[G]** young
And that **[D]** river never **[D7]** owned me heart and **[G]** soul
### Final Chorus (Optional)
Where the **[D]** Strawberry beds sweep **[C]** down to the **[G]** Liffy
You **[C]** kissed away the worry from my **[D]** brow
I **[G]** love you well today and I'll **[C]** love you more to **[G]** morrow
If you **[D]** ever love me **[D7]** Molly love me **[G]** now
---
## 🎸 Strumming Pattern
This song has a gentle, flowing, common-time feel. A simple, consistent folk strum works best.
**Pattern (Per Bar):** $$\text{Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up}$$
* **Rhythm:** **1** (and) **2** & **3** & **4** &
* **Speed:** Medium-slow tempo. Keep it relaxed and steady.
* **Tip:** Mute the strings slightly on the first "Down" strum of the next bar to emphasize the start of the next chord.
---
## ✨ Fingerpicking Tab (Verse 1 & Chorus)
This uses a simple **four-beat arpeggio pattern** common in folk music to achieve a rolling sound. Your **Thumb (p)** plays the bass, and your **Index (i)**, **Middle (m)**, and **Ring (a)** fingers play the higher strings.
**Pattern (Per Beat/Quarter Note):** **Bass (p) - High String (i/m/a)**
### Verse 1 (G $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ G $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ D)
| Chord | **G** | **C** | **G** | **C** | **D** | **G** | **D** | **D7** | **G** |
| :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| e | x | x | x | x | 2 | x | x | 2 | x |
| B | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| G | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | x | 2 | x | x | 2 |
| E | 3 | x | 3 | x | x | 3 | x | x | 3 |
| **Beats** | 1 2 | 3 4 | 1 2 | 3 4 | 1 2 | 3 4 | 1 2 | 3 4 | 1 2 |
* *Note:* The **D7** is usually played for two beats (half a bar) before returning to G.
### Chorus (D $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ G $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ D)
| Chord | **D** | **C** | **G** | **C** | **D** | **G** | **C** | **G** | **D** | **D7** | **G** |
| :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| e | 2 | x | x | x | 2 | x | x | x | x | 2 | x |
| B | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| G | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A | x | 3 | 2 | 3 | x | 2 | 3 | 2 | x | x | 2 |
| E | x | x | 3 | x | 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 |
## 🛶 "The Ferryman" Chords in G Major
The song is built on the simple, warm **I-IV-V** folk progression: **G, C, D**, with the addition of **D7** for a nice resolve back to **G**.
### Verse 1
The **[G]** little boats are gone from the **[C]** breast of Anna **[G]** Liffy
The **[C]** ferryman is stranded on the **[D]** quay
Sure the **[G]** Dublin docks is dying and a **[C]** way of life is **[G]** gone
And **[D]** Molly it was **[D7]** part of you and **[G]** me
### Chorus
Where the **[D]** Strawberry beds sweep **[C]** down to the **[G]** Liffy
You **[C]** kissed away the worry from my **[D]** brow
I **[G]** love you well today and I'll **[C]** love you more to **[G]** morrow
If you **[D]** ever love me **[D7]** Molly love me **[G]** now
### Verse 2
T'was the **[G]** only job I knew it was **[C]** hard but never **[G]** lonely
The **[C]** Liffy ferry made a man of **[D]** me
And it's **[G]** gone without a whisper and **[C]** forgotted even **[G]** now
And sure it's **[D]** over Molly **[D7]** over can't you **[G]** see
### Chorus
Where the **[D]** Strawberry beds sweep **[C]** down to the **[G]** Liffy
You **[C]** kissed away the worry from my **[D]** brow
I **[G]** love you well today and I'll **[C]** love you more to **[G]** morrow
If you **[D]** ever love me **[D7]** Molly love me **[G]** now
### Verse 3
Well now **[G]** I'll tend the yard and I'll **[C]** spend me days in **[G]** talking
And I'll **[C]** here them whisper Charlie's on the **[D]** dole
But **[G]** Molly we're still living and **[C]** darling we're still **[G]** young
And that **[D]** river never **[D7]** owned me heart and **[G]** soul
### Final Chorus (Optional)
Where the **[D]** Strawberry beds sweep **[C]** down to the **[G]** Liffy
You **[C]** kissed away the worry from my **[D]** brow
I **[G]** love you well today and I'll **[C]** love you more to **[G]** morrow
If you **[D]** ever love me **[D7]** Molly love me **[G]** now
---
## 🎸 Strumming Pattern
This song has a gentle, flowing, common-time feel. A simple, consistent folk strum works best.
**Pattern (Per Bar):** $$\text{Down - Down-Up - Up-Down-Up}$$
* **Rhythm:** **1** (and) **2** & **3** & **4** &
* **Speed:** Medium-slow tempo. Keep it relaxed and steady.
* **Tip:** Mute the strings slightly on the first "Down" strum of the next bar to emphasize the start of the next chord.
---
## ✨ Fingerpicking Tab (Verse 1 & Chorus)
This uses a simple **four-beat arpeggio pattern** common in folk music to achieve a rolling sound. Your **Thumb (p)** plays the bass, and your **Index (i)**, **Middle (m)**, and **Ring (a)** fingers play the higher strings.
**Pattern (Per Beat/Quarter Note):** **Bass (p) - High String (i/m/a)**
### Verse 1 (G $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ G $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ D)
| Chord | **G** | **C** | **G** | **C** | **D** | **G** | **D** | **D7** | **G** |
| :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| e | x | x | x | x | 2 | x | x | 2 | x |
| B | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| G | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | x | 2 | x | x | 2 |
| E | 3 | x | 3 | x | x | 3 | x | x | 3 |
| **Beats** | 1 2 | 3 4 | 1 2 | 3 4 | 1 2 | 3 4 | 1 2 | 3 4 | 1 2 |
* *Note:* The **D7** is usually played for two beats (half a bar) before returning to G.
### Chorus (D $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ G $\rightarrow$ C $\rightarrow$ D)
| Chord | **D** | **C** | **G** | **C** | **D** | **G** | **C** | **G** | **D** | **D7** | **G** |
| :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
| e | 2 | x | x | x | 2 | x | x | x | x | 2 | x |
| B | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| G | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A | x | 3 | 2 | 3 | x | 2 | 3 | 2 | x | x | 2 |
| E | x | x | 3 | x | 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 |
The Ferryman Sheet Music Notes In The Key Of D Major
The Ferryman Mandolin / Tenor Banjo Tab
Pete St. John songwriter of The Ferryman
The ferryman bass guitar tab
Below is the standard tuning guitar tab in D Major.
The guitar tab in dadgad Irish tuning style in D.
Ebook of tabs in DADGAD
