The Mountains Of Mourne Lyrics And Chords
The Mountains Of Mourne Irish Folk Song Lyrics And Easy Guitar Chords. The 5 string banjo chords for the key of G Major are included. The lyrics of this song are by Irish singer / songwriter Percy French [1854-1920] with the music of an old Irish tune called 'Carrigdoun' , recorded by Paddy Reilly, Jim Brainigan, Foster And Allen, the video is of Celtic Thunder, Kieth Larkin. The youtube video is by Irish Mist. Also recorded by Don McLean, The Furey's And Davie Arthur, Irish Mist and John McDermott to name a few. The guitar chords in chordpro are for the Irish Mist version of the song, key of D. This version is very easy to play along with. Also recorded by Nathan Carter in 2019.
Song Words / Easy Guitar Chords In The Key Of D
Intro, D G Em A D A D G Em A D
Oh, [D]Mary, this [A]London's a [G]wonderful [Em]sight
With [A]people here working by [G]day and by [D]night
They don't sow potatoes, nor [G]barley nor [Em]wheat
But there' [A]gangs of them digging for [G]gold in the [D]streets
At [A]least when I asked them that's what I was [Bm]told
So I [D]just took a [G]hand at this [Em]diggin' for [A]gold
But for all that I [D]found there I [G]might as well [Em]be
Where the [A]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
I believe that when writin' a wish you expressed
As to how the fine ladies in London were dressed
Well, if you believe me, when asked to a ball
Faith, they don't wear no top to their dresses at all.
Oh, I've seen them myself and you could not in trath
Say if they were bound for a ball or a bath
Don't be startin' them fashions now, Mary Macree,
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
I've seen England's king from the top of a bus
And I've never known him, but he means to know us.
And tho' by the Saxon we once were oppressed,
Still I cheered, God forgive me, I cheered with the rest.
And now that he's visited Erin's green shore
We'll be much better friends than we've been heretofore
When we've got all we want, we're as quiet as can be
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
You remember young Peter O'Loughlin, of course
Well, now he is here at the head of the force
I met him today, I was crossing the Strand
And he stopped the whole street with a wave of his hand
And there we stood talkin' of days that are gone
While the whole population of London looked on
But for all these great powers he's wishful like me
To be back where the dark Mourne sweeps down to the sea.
There's beautiful girls here, oh, never you mind
With beautiful shapes nature never designed
And lovely complexions all roses and cream
But O'Loughlin remarked with regard to the same
That if at those roses you venture to sip
The colours might all come away on your lip
So I'll wait for the wild rose that's waitin' for me
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
Intro, D G Em A D A D G Em A D
Oh, [D]Mary, this [A]London's a [G]wonderful [Em]sight
With [A]people here working by [G]day and by [D]night
They don't sow potatoes, nor [G]barley nor [Em]wheat
But there' [A]gangs of them digging for [G]gold in the [D]streets
At [A]least when I asked them that's what I was [Bm]told
So I [D]just took a [G]hand at this [Em]diggin' for [A]gold
But for all that I [D]found there I [G]might as well [Em]be
Where the [A]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
I believe that when writin' a wish you expressed
As to how the fine ladies in London were dressed
Well, if you believe me, when asked to a ball
Faith, they don't wear no top to their dresses at all.
Oh, I've seen them myself and you could not in trath
Say if they were bound for a ball or a bath
Don't be startin' them fashions now, Mary Macree,
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
I've seen England's king from the top of a bus
And I've never known him, but he means to know us.
And tho' by the Saxon we once were oppressed,
Still I cheered, God forgive me, I cheered with the rest.
And now that he's visited Erin's green shore
We'll be much better friends than we've been heretofore
When we've got all we want, we're as quiet as can be
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
You remember young Peter O'Loughlin, of course
Well, now he is here at the head of the force
I met him today, I was crossing the Strand
And he stopped the whole street with a wave of his hand
And there we stood talkin' of days that are gone
While the whole population of London looked on
But for all these great powers he's wishful like me
To be back where the dark Mourne sweeps down to the sea.
There's beautiful girls here, oh, never you mind
With beautiful shapes nature never designed
And lovely complexions all roses and cream
But O'Loughlin remarked with regard to the same
That if at those roses you venture to sip
The colours might all come away on your lip
So I'll wait for the wild rose that's waitin' for me
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
The Mountains of Mourne(Percy French – Key of D Major)
[Verse 1]Oh, [D]Mary, this [A]London's a [G]wonderful [Em]sight,
With [A]people here working by [G]day and by [D]night,
They don't sow potatoes, nor [G]barley nor [Em]wheat,
But there' [A]gangs of them digging for [G]gold in the [D]streets.
At [A]least when I asked them that's [G]what I was [Bm]told,
So I [D]just took a [G]hand at this [Em]diggin' for [A]gold,
But for [D]all that I [G]found there I [Em]might as well [A]be,
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
[Verse 2]I [D]believe that when [A]writin’ a [G]wish you ex[Em]pressed,
As to [A]how the fine ladies in [G]London were [D]dressed,
Well, if you believe me, when [G]asked to a [Em]ball,
Faith, they [A]don’t wear no top to their [G]dresses at [D]all.
Oh, I’ve [A]seen them myself and you [G]could not in [Bm]trath,
Say if [D]they were bound for a [G]ball or a [Em]bath,
Don’t be [D]startin’ them [G]fashions now, [Em]Mary Mac[A]ree,
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
[Verse 3]I’ve [D]seen England’s [A]king from the [G]top of a [Em]bus,
And I’ve [A]never known him, but he [G]means to know [D]us.
And though by the Saxon we [G]once were op[Em]pressed,
Still I [A]cheered, God forgive me, I [G]cheered with the [D]rest.
And [A]now that he’s visited [G]Erin’s green [Bm]shore,
We’ll be [D]much better [G]friends than we’ve [Em]been hereto[A]fore,
When we’ve [D]got all we [G]want, we’re as [Em]quiet as can [A]be,
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
[Verse 4]You [D]remember young [A]Peter O’[G]Loughlin, of [Em]course,
Well, now [A]he is here at the [G]head of the [D]force.
I met him today as I [G]crossed o’er the [Em]Strand,
And he [A]stopped the whole street with a [G]wave of his [D]hand.
And [A]there we stood talking of [G]days that are [Bm]gone,
While the [D]whole population of [G]London looked [Em]on,
But for [D]all these great [G]powers he’s [Em]wishful like [A]me,
To be [D]back where the dark Mourne sweeps [Em]down to the [D]sea.
[Verse 5]There’s [D]beautiful [A]girls here, oh [G]never you [Em]mind,
With [A]beautiful shapes nature [G]never de[D]signed,
And lovely complexions all [G]roses and [Em]cream,
But O’[A]Loughlin remarked with re[G]gard to the [D]same,
That [A]if at those roses you [G]venture to [Bm]sip,
The [D]colours might [G]all come a[Em]way on your [A]lip,
So I’ll [D]wait for the [G]wild rose that’s [Em]waitin’ for [A]me,
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (4/4 Ballad)↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑ — steady and gentle
(Accent the 1st and 3rd beats for the lilt of an Irish waltz-ballad feel.)
💡 Performance Tips
[Verse 1]Oh, [D]Mary, this [A]London's a [G]wonderful [Em]sight,
With [A]people here working by [G]day and by [D]night,
They don't sow potatoes, nor [G]barley nor [Em]wheat,
But there' [A]gangs of them digging for [G]gold in the [D]streets.
At [A]least when I asked them that's [G]what I was [Bm]told,
So I [D]just took a [G]hand at this [Em]diggin' for [A]gold,
But for [D]all that I [G]found there I [Em]might as well [A]be,
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
[Verse 2]I [D]believe that when [A]writin’ a [G]wish you ex[Em]pressed,
As to [A]how the fine ladies in [G]London were [D]dressed,
Well, if you believe me, when [G]asked to a [Em]ball,
Faith, they [A]don’t wear no top to their [G]dresses at [D]all.
Oh, I’ve [A]seen them myself and you [G]could not in [Bm]trath,
Say if [D]they were bound for a [G]ball or a [Em]bath,
Don’t be [D]startin’ them [G]fashions now, [Em]Mary Mac[A]ree,
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
[Verse 3]I’ve [D]seen England’s [A]king from the [G]top of a [Em]bus,
And I’ve [A]never known him, but he [G]means to know [D]us.
And though by the Saxon we [G]once were op[Em]pressed,
Still I [A]cheered, God forgive me, I [G]cheered with the [D]rest.
And [A]now that he’s visited [G]Erin’s green [Bm]shore,
We’ll be [D]much better [G]friends than we’ve [Em]been hereto[A]fore,
When we’ve [D]got all we [G]want, we’re as [Em]quiet as can [A]be,
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
[Verse 4]You [D]remember young [A]Peter O’[G]Loughlin, of [Em]course,
Well, now [A]he is here at the [G]head of the [D]force.
I met him today as I [G]crossed o’er the [Em]Strand,
And he [A]stopped the whole street with a [G]wave of his [D]hand.
And [A]there we stood talking of [G]days that are [Bm]gone,
While the [D]whole population of [G]London looked [Em]on,
But for [D]all these great [G]powers he’s [Em]wishful like [A]me,
To be [D]back where the dark Mourne sweeps [Em]down to the [D]sea.
[Verse 5]There’s [D]beautiful [A]girls here, oh [G]never you [Em]mind,
With [A]beautiful shapes nature [G]never de[D]signed,
And lovely complexions all [G]roses and [Em]cream,
But O’[A]Loughlin remarked with re[G]gard to the [D]same,
That [A]if at those roses you [G]venture to [Bm]sip,
The [D]colours might [G]all come a[Em]way on your [A]lip,
So I’ll [D]wait for the [G]wild rose that’s [Em]waitin’ for [A]me,
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Em]down to the [D]sea.
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (4/4 Ballad)↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑ — steady and gentle
(Accent the 1st and 3rd beats for the lilt of an Irish waltz-ballad feel.)
💡 Performance Tips
- Tempo: Moderate 85–95 BPM (gentle storytelling pace)
- Add a light hammer-on or walk-up from D → G → A at line endings for flow.
- End softly on the last D, optionally finishing with D → G → D turnaround.
- For fingerstyle: alternate bass on beats 1–3, melody on 2–4.
“The Mountains of Mourne” transposed from D Major → G Major, fully re-chorded for guitar with open chords — great for singing and accompanying in a warmer, more relaxed key.
🎵 The Mountains of Mourne(Percy French – Key of G Major)
Fingerstyle guitar tab
Oh, Mary, this London’s a wonderful sight
e|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|
B|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|----------------0------------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|
A|2---------------2------------------------|----------------------------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|
E|3---------------3------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
G D C / Am
With people here working by day and by night
e|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|0---------------0-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|----------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|2---------------2------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|
D Am G
They don't sow potatoes, nor barley nor wheat
e|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|
B|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|2---------------2-----------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|
A|0---------------0-----------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
Am C Am
But there’s gangs of them digging for gold in the streets
e|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|0---------------0-----------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|----------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|
D C G
At least when I asked them that’s what I was told
e|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|0---------------0-----------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
D C Am
So I just took a hand at this diggin’ for gold
e|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|
B|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|----------------0------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|
A|2---------------2------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|
E|3---------------3------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
G C Am
But for all that I found there I might as well be
e|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|0---------------0-----------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|2---------------2------------------------|2---------------2------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|
D G D
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea
e|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|----------------0------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|----------------------------------------|
A|2---------------2------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2------------------------|
E|3---------------3------------------------|----------------------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|
G C G
[Verse 1]Oh, [G]Mary, this [D]London's a [C]wonderful [Am]sight,
With [D]people here working by [C]day and by [G]night,
They don't sow potatoes, nor [C]barley nor [Am]wheat,
But there' [D]gangs of them digging for [C]gold in the [G]streets.
At [D]least when I asked them that's [C]what I was [Em]told,
So I [G]just took a [C]hand at this [Am]diggin' for [D]gold,
But for [G]all that I [C]found there I [Am]might as well [D]be,
Where the [G]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
[Verse 2]I [G]believe that when [D]writin’ a [C]wish you ex[Am]pressed,
As to [D]how the fine ladies in [C]London were [G]dressed,
Well, if you believe me, when [C]asked to a [Am]ball,
Faith, they [D]don’t wear no top to their [C]dresses at [G]all.
Oh, I’ve [D]seen them myself and you [C]could not in [Em]trath,
Say if [G]they were bound for a [C]ball or a [Am]bath,
Don’t be [G]startin’ them [C]fashions now, [Am]Mary Mac[D]ree,
Where the [G]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
[Verse 3]I’ve [G]seen England’s [D]king from the [C]top of a [Am]bus,
And I’ve [D]never known him, but he [C]means to know [G]us.
And though by the Saxon we [C]once were op[Am]pressed,
Still I [D]cheered, God forgive me, I [C]cheered with the [G]rest.
And [D]now that he’s visited [C]Erin’s green [Em]shore,
We’ll be [G]much better [C]friends than we’ve [Am]been hereto[D]fore,
When we’ve [G]got all we [C]want, we’re as [Am]quiet as can [D]be,
Where the [G]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
[Verse 4]You [G]remember young [D]Peter O’[C]Loughlin, of [Am]course,
Well, now [D]he is here at the [C]head of the [G]force.
I met him today as I [C]crossed o’er the [Am]Strand,
And he [D]stopped the whole street with a [C]wave of his [G]hand.
And [D]there we stood talking of [C]days that are [Em]gone,
While the [G]whole population of [C]London looked [Am]on,
But for [G]all these great [C]powers he’s [Am]wishful like [D]me,
To be [G]back where the dark Mourne sweeps [Am]down to the [G]sea.
[Verse 5]There’s [G]beautiful [D]girls here, oh [C]never you [Am]mind,
With [D]beautiful shapes nature [C]never de[G]signed,
And lovely complexions all [C]roses and [Am]cream,
But O’[D]Loughlin remarked with re[C]gard to the [G]same,
That [D]if at those roses you [C]venture to [Em]sip,
The [G]colours might [C]all come a[Am]way on your [D]lip,
So I’ll [G]wait for the [C]wild rose that’s [Am]waitin’ for [D]me,
Where the [G]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (4/4 Ballad)↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Count 1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4, light emphasis on beats 1 and 3.
Optional fingerpicking pattern for a gentler feel:
Bass (beat 1) – Treble (beat 2) – Treble (beat 3) – Brush (beat 4)
💡 Performance Tips
🎵 The Mountains of Mourne(Percy French – Key of G Major)
Fingerstyle guitar tab
Oh, Mary, this London’s a wonderful sight
e|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|
B|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|----------------0------------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|
A|2---------------2------------------------|----------------------------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|
E|3---------------3------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
G D C / Am
With people here working by day and by night
e|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|0---------------0-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|----------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|2---------------2------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|
D Am G
They don't sow potatoes, nor barley nor wheat
e|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|
B|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|2---------------2-----------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|
A|0---------------0-----------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
Am C Am
But there’s gangs of them digging for gold in the streets
e|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|0---------------0-----------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|----------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|
D C G
At least when I asked them that’s what I was told
e|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|0---------------0-----------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
D C Am
So I just took a hand at this diggin’ for gold
e|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------0-----------0-----------0-------|
B|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|----------------0------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2-----------------------|
A|2---------------2------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|0---------------0-----------------------|
E|3---------------3------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
G C Am
But for all that I found there I might as well be
e|--------2-----------2-----------2-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------3---3-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|
G|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|0---------------0-----------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------|2---------------2------------------------|2---------------2------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|
D G D
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea
e|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|--------1-----------1-----------1-------|--------3-----------3-----------3-------|
B|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|------1---1-------1---1-------1---1-----|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----|
G|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|----2-------2---2-------2---2-------2---|----0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---|
D|----------------0------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|----------------------------------------|
A|2---------------2------------------------|3---------------3-----------------------|2---------------2------------------------|
E|3---------------3------------------------|----------------------------------------|3---------------3------------------------|
G C G
[Verse 1]Oh, [G]Mary, this [D]London's a [C]wonderful [Am]sight,
With [D]people here working by [C]day and by [G]night,
They don't sow potatoes, nor [C]barley nor [Am]wheat,
But there' [D]gangs of them digging for [C]gold in the [G]streets.
At [D]least when I asked them that's [C]what I was [Em]told,
So I [G]just took a [C]hand at this [Am]diggin' for [D]gold,
But for [G]all that I [C]found there I [Am]might as well [D]be,
Where the [G]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
[Verse 2]I [G]believe that when [D]writin’ a [C]wish you ex[Am]pressed,
As to [D]how the fine ladies in [C]London were [G]dressed,
Well, if you believe me, when [C]asked to a [Am]ball,
Faith, they [D]don’t wear no top to their [C]dresses at [G]all.
Oh, I’ve [D]seen them myself and you [C]could not in [Em]trath,
Say if [G]they were bound for a [C]ball or a [Am]bath,
Don’t be [G]startin’ them [C]fashions now, [Am]Mary Mac[D]ree,
Where the [G]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
[Verse 3]I’ve [G]seen England’s [D]king from the [C]top of a [Am]bus,
And I’ve [D]never known him, but he [C]means to know [G]us.
And though by the Saxon we [C]once were op[Am]pressed,
Still I [D]cheered, God forgive me, I [C]cheered with the [G]rest.
And [D]now that he’s visited [C]Erin’s green [Em]shore,
We’ll be [G]much better [C]friends than we’ve [Am]been hereto[D]fore,
When we’ve [G]got all we [C]want, we’re as [Am]quiet as can [D]be,
Where the [G]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
[Verse 4]You [G]remember young [D]Peter O’[C]Loughlin, of [Am]course,
Well, now [D]he is here at the [C]head of the [G]force.
I met him today as I [C]crossed o’er the [Am]Strand,
And he [D]stopped the whole street with a [C]wave of his [G]hand.
And [D]there we stood talking of [C]days that are [Em]gone,
While the [G]whole population of [C]London looked [Am]on,
But for [G]all these great [C]powers he’s [Am]wishful like [D]me,
To be [G]back where the dark Mourne sweeps [Am]down to the [G]sea.
[Verse 5]There’s [G]beautiful [D]girls here, oh [C]never you [Am]mind,
With [D]beautiful shapes nature [C]never de[G]signed,
And lovely complexions all [C]roses and [Am]cream,
But O’[D]Loughlin remarked with re[C]gard to the [G]same,
That [D]if at those roses you [C]venture to [Em]sip,
The [G]colours might [C]all come a[Am]way on your [D]lip,
So I’ll [G]wait for the [C]wild rose that’s [Am]waitin’ for [D]me,
Where the [G]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (4/4 Ballad)↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Count 1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4, light emphasis on beats 1 and 3.
Optional fingerpicking pattern for a gentler feel:
Bass (beat 1) – Treble (beat 2) – Treble (beat 3) – Brush (beat 4)
💡 Performance Tips
- Tempo: ~85–95 BPM — keep it smooth and narrative.
- End softly on G → C → G.
- For a richer folk feel, add hammer-ons when moving G→C or C→Am.
- Works beautifully as a duet or with whistle/violin backing on the final verse.
5 string banjo chords in G Major key.
Lyrics And Chords In The Key Of G Major.
Oh, [G]Mary, this [D]London's a [C]wonderful [Am]sight
With [D]people here working by [C]day and by [G]night
They don't sow potatoes, nor [C]barley nor [Am]wheat
But there' [D]gangs of them digging for [C]gold in the [G]streets
At [D]least when I asked them that's what I was [Em]told
So I [G]just took a [C]hand at this [Am]diggin' for [D]gold
But for all that I [G]found there I [C]might as well [Am]be
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
Sheet Music For The Mountains Of Mourne
Oh, [G]Mary, this [D]London's a [C]wonderful [Am]sight
With [D]people here working by [C]day and by [G]night
They don't sow potatoes, nor [C]barley nor [Am]wheat
But there' [D]gangs of them digging for [C]gold in the [G]streets
At [D]least when I asked them that's what I was [Em]told
So I [G]just took a [C]hand at this [Am]diggin' for [D]gold
But for all that I [G]found there I [C]might as well [Am]be
Where the [D]Mountains of Mourne sweep [Am]down to the [G]sea.
Sheet Music For The Mountains Of Mourne
The Mountain Song Lyrics
High above the land so grand,
A rugged peak stands proud and tall,
A wild mountain with rocky band,
And snow-capped top, a sight for all.
The wind whispers secrets to the trees,
That cling to the mountain's rugged side,
As the sun sets and the evening breeze,
Brings a chill, with a sense of pride.
For this mountain has seen it all,
The passing of time, the changing of seasons,
It has stood strong, never to fall,
A symbol of nature's mighty reasons.
The wild mountain, with its jagged edges,
Is a challenge to those who dare,
To conquer its peaks, to scale its ledges,
And feel the rush of the mountain air.
But amidst the wild and untamed,
There is beauty that can't be denied,
A sense of freedom, a soul unchained,
As you stand on the mountain's side.
And as the moon rises above,
Casting shadows on the rocky face,
The wild mountain remains in love,
With the earth, and its wild embrace.
So let us stand in awe and wonder,
At this majestic natural wonder,
For the wild mountain will forever,
Be a symbol of strength and splendor.
