The Galtee Mountain Boy Irish Folk lyrics and guitar chords And Sheet Music

​"The Galtee Mountain Boy" is a popular Irish folk song that tells the story of a young man from the Galtee Mountains in County Tipperary, Ireland. The song is filled with themes of Irish nationalism, youthful rebellion, and the fight for freedom. It has become particularly associated with the struggle for Irish independence and is often sung at folk gatherings, nationalist events, and celebrations of Irish history.

Themes and Meaning:

1. Irish Nationalism and Rebellion:
   
   • The song focuses on the Galtee Mountain Boy, a young rebel involved in the Irish War of Independence or the later Irish Civil War. The lyrics often speak of the boy's determination to fight for Ireland’s freedom, emphasizing themes of patriotism, resistance, and the hope for an independent Irish state free from British rule.
2. The Call to Arms:
   
   • The protagonist is portrayed as someone who has taken up arms to defend Ireland, highlighting the widespread participation of ordinary people in Ireland’s struggle for independence. The boy’s love for his country and his desire to see it free from colonial oppression is central to the song.
3. Youthful Determination:
   
   • The figure of the young rebel also reflects the idealism and passion of youth. The Galtee Mountain Boy is not only fighting for political freedom but also for a better future for the next generation. His actions, while dangerous and often tragic, are driven by a sense of hope and the belief that change is possible.
4. Romanticism of the Irish Landscape:
   
   • The song uses the Galtee Mountains, a prominent mountain range in Ireland, as both a literal and symbolic setting. The mountains themselves are seen as a powerful emblem of Irish identity and strength. The rugged, wild landscape is often associated with the resilience and endurance of the Irish people throughout history.
5. Love and Loss:
   
   • In some versions of the song, there are themes of personal sacrifice, with the Galtee Mountain Boy’s love for his country being intertwined with the pain of loss. He may be separated from loved ones or face the hardship of war, adding an emotional layer to the patriotic narrative.

Historical Context:

• Irish War of Independence (1919-1921):
  The song is often associated with the Irish War of Independence, a time when many young Irish men and women fought for the establishment of an independent Irish Republic. The Galtee Mountain Boy could symbolize any of the young Irish rebels who took part in the guerilla warfare against British forces during this period.
  
• The Civil War and Struggle for Unity:
  Some versions of the song are set in the aftermath of the Irish War of Independence, during the Irish Civil War (1922-1923), which followed the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This was a period of intense division in Irish politics, and the song reflects both the heroism and the sacrifices of those involved in the struggle.
  
• The Galtee Mountains:
  The Galtee Mountains are a well-known part of the Irish landscape, located on the border between Counties Tipperary and Limerick. They are often used in Irish songs and stories to represent the strength, beauty, and resilience of Ireland.
  

Conclusion:"The Galtee Mountain Boy" is a powerful, emotional folk song that celebrates the bravery, patriotism, and sacrifice of those who fought for Irish freedom. It draws on themes of youthful idealism, national pride, and the rugged Irish landscape, making it an enduring anthem of Irish history and the ongoing struggle for independence.

The Galtee Mountain Boy Irish Folk lyrics and easy to play guitar chords. Written by Patsy O' Halloran.The ukulele chords are included. The ''Flying Columns'' were groups of men who roamed the countryside carrying out ambushes on British solders during the Black and Tan [ song ] war 1919-1921 and then during the Irish civil war, Christy Moore later put the extra verse on the end. also recorded by Paddy Reilly, P.J. Murrihy and The Wolfe Tones. The sheet music notes are below. The Galtee Mountain Boy was Paddy Davern who survived the war of independence and the Irish civil war,He lived a normal life and passed away in the 1990s. the sheet music and tin whistle notes are included.The Wolfe Tones play this song in the key of Bb.

Song Lyrics And Easy Guitar Chords In The Key Of G

I[G] joined the flying[C] col[G]umn in [C]19[G]16
In Cork with Sean[D] Moy[G]lan [C]Tipperary with Dan[G] Breen
Arrested by free[D] sta[G]ters and [C]sentenced for to[G] die
Farewell to Tippe[C]rar[G]y said the Galtee[C] mountain[G] boy

[2]
We went across the vallys and over the hilltops green
Where we met with Dinny Lacey,Sean Hogan and Dan Breen
Sean Moylan and his gallant men they kept the flag flying high
Farewell to Tipperary said the Galtee mountain boy

[3]
We tracked the Dublin mountains we were rebels on the run
Though hunted night and morning we were outlaws but free men
We tracked the Wicklow mountains as the sun was shining high
Farewell to Tipperary said the Galtee mountain boy

[4]
I bid farewell to old Clonmel that I never more will see
And to the Galtee mountain that oft times sheltered me
The men who fought for their liberty and who died without a sigh
May their cause be ne'er forgotten said the Galtee mountain boy

The Galtee Mountain Boy Sheet Music Score In C Major

The Galtee Mountains Old Road Sign

The Tin Whistle Notes For The Galtee Mountain Boy

The above version of the tin whistle notes are my own version of the song. Depending on who you listen to they all sing it slightly differently. When I play in on the whistle these are the notes I use, if somebody else had to sit down and work out the notes they may come up with something else. Return to Lyrics And Chords From G-J

Dan Breen photo