The Old Man Lyrics And Chords
This Irish folk song is about the passing of a father. The song was written by By Phil Coulter and Recorded by The Fureys And Davie Arthur [ songs ] who sing the song in the youtube video., also by Celtic Thunder and John McDermot. Some people call this song ''My Old Man'' , it's one of the most popular songs on the site and Finbar Furey does the best version I've ever heard. To play along with the youtube video use the guitar chords I have given. The tin whistle sheet music is included.
The tin whistle / sheet music notes for The Old Man is in the ebook of tin whistle tabs .
Intro. guitar chords
G C G D
The[G] tears have all been[C] shed now,we've[D] said our last good[G]bye's,
His [E]soul's been blessed,he's[Am] laid to rest,and it's [A]now I feel[D] alone,
He was[G] more that just a[C] father,a[D] teacher my best[G] friend,
And he can [E]still be heard in the[Am] tunes we[A] shared,as we played them on our[D] own.[D7]
[Chorus]
I[C] never will[G] forget him for he[C] made me what I [G]am,
Though he[C] may be[Em] gone memories[D] linger[Em] on,
And I[Am] miss [D]him,[D]the old[G] man.
[2]
As a boy he'd take me walking,through mountain field and stream,
And he'd show me things not known to kings,a secret between him and me,
Like the colours of the pheasent,as she rises in the dawn,
And how to fish and make a wish,beside the holy tree.
[3]
Ithought he'd live forever,he seemed so big and strong,
But the minuits fly,the years roll by,for a father and his son,
Then suddenly when it happened,there was so much unsaid,
No second chance to tell him thanks for everything he's done.
Below are both a strumming pattern and a fingerpicking tab tailored for the first verse and chorus.
🎸 STRUMMING PATTERN
For this slow 4/4 ballad tempo (≈70–80 bpm), use a soft flowing pattern:
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
(Down … Down-Up … Up-Down-Up)
Or count it as:
1 2+ 3+4+
Tips:
Play softly on the downbeats.
Add light dynamics: ease up during verses, strum slightly louder on the chorus.
Palm-mute slightly with the edge of your picking hand for intimacy.
🪶 FINGERPICKING TAB (First Verse & Chorus)
Here’s a Travis-style alternating bass pattern, arranged for solo guitar — steady thumb movement with melodic treble notes.
Key: G major
Fingers:
T = thumb (bass notes)
i, m, a = index, middle, ring (higher strings)
Verse
G
The tears have all been shed now...
e|-----------3-----------3-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---------------|
G|-----0-----------0-----------------|
D|--------------------------0--------|
A|-----------2-----------------------|
E|-3---------------3-----------------|
C
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---------------|
G|-----0-----------0-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------3-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
D
e|-----------2-----------2-----------|
B|-------3-----------3---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------------|
D|-0---------------0-----------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
E
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---------------|
G|-----1-----------1-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------2-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
Am
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------0-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
A
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------2-----------2---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------0-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
D7
e|-----------2-----------2-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------------|
D|-0---------------0-----------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
Chorus
C → G
e|-----------0-----------3-----------|
B|-------1-----------0---------------|
G|-----0-----------0-----------------|
D|-2---------------0-----------------|
A|-----------3-----------2-----------|
E|-----------------3-----------------|
C → Em
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------0---------------|
G|-----0-----------0-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------3-----------2-----------|
E|-----------------0-----------------|
D → Em
e|-----------2-----------0-----------|
B|-------3-----------0---------------|
G|-----2-----------0-----------------|
D|-0---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------------2-----------------|
E|-----------------0-----------------|
Am → D → G (ending line)
e|-----------0-----------2-----------3-----------|
B|-------1-----------3-----------0---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------0-----------------|
D|-2---------------0-----------------------------|
A|-----------0-----------------2-----------------|
E|-----------------------------3-----------------|
🎸 STRUMMING PATTERN
For this slow 4/4 ballad tempo (≈70–80 bpm), use a soft flowing pattern:
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
(Down … Down-Up … Up-Down-Up)
Or count it as:
1 2+ 3+4+
Tips:
Play softly on the downbeats.
Add light dynamics: ease up during verses, strum slightly louder on the chorus.
Palm-mute slightly with the edge of your picking hand for intimacy.
🪶 FINGERPICKING TAB (First Verse & Chorus)
Here’s a Travis-style alternating bass pattern, arranged for solo guitar — steady thumb movement with melodic treble notes.
Key: G major
Fingers:
T = thumb (bass notes)
i, m, a = index, middle, ring (higher strings)
Verse
G
The tears have all been shed now...
e|-----------3-----------3-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---------------|
G|-----0-----------0-----------------|
D|--------------------------0--------|
A|-----------2-----------------------|
E|-3---------------3-----------------|
C
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---------------|
G|-----0-----------0-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------3-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
D
e|-----------2-----------2-----------|
B|-------3-----------3---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------------|
D|-0---------------0-----------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
E
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------0-----------0---------------|
G|-----1-----------1-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------2-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
Am
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------0-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
A
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------2-----------2---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------0-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
D7
e|-----------2-----------2-----------|
B|-------1-----------1---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------------|
D|-0---------------0-----------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
Chorus
C → G
e|-----------0-----------3-----------|
B|-------1-----------0---------------|
G|-----0-----------0-----------------|
D|-2---------------0-----------------|
A|-----------3-----------2-----------|
E|-----------------3-----------------|
C → Em
e|-----------0-----------0-----------|
B|-------1-----------0---------------|
G|-----0-----------0-----------------|
D|-2---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------3-----------2-----------|
E|-----------------0-----------------|
D → Em
e|-----------2-----------0-----------|
B|-------3-----------0---------------|
G|-----2-----------0-----------------|
D|-0---------------2-----------------|
A|-----------------2-----------------|
E|-----------------0-----------------|
Am → D → G (ending line)
e|-----------0-----------2-----------3-----------|
B|-------1-----------3-----------0---------------|
G|-----2-----------2-----------0-----------------|
D|-2---------------0-----------------------------|
A|-----------0-----------------2-----------------|
E|-----------------------------3-----------------|
Guitar chords for all the verses.
[Verse 1]
The [G]tears have all been [C]shed now,
we've [D]said our last good[G]bye's,
His [E]soul's been blessed, he's [Am]laid to rest,
and it's [A]now I feel a[D]lone.
He was [G]more than just a [C]father,
a [D]teacher, my best [G]friend,
And he can [E]still be heard in the [Am]tunes we shared,
As we [A]played them on our [D]own.[D7]
[Chorus]
[C]I never will [G]forget him, for he [C]made me what I [G]am,
Though he [C]may be [G]gone, memories [D]linger [G]on,
And I [Am]miss [D]him, the old [G]man.
[Verse 2]
[G]As a boy he'd take me [C]walking,
through [D]mountain field and [G]stream,
And he'd [E]show me things not [Am]known to kings,
a [A]secret between him and [D]me.
Like the [G]colours of the [C]pheasant,
as she [D]rises in the [G]dawn,
And how to [E]fish and make a [Am]wish,
Be[A]side the holy [D]tree.[D7]
[Chorus]
[C]I never will [G]forget him, for he [C]made me what I [G]am,
Though he [C]may be [G]gone, memories [D]linger [G]on,
And I [Am]miss [D]him, the old [G]man.
[Verse 3]
[G]I thought he'd live for[C]ever,
he [D]seemed so big and [G]strong,
But the [E]minutes fly, the [Am]years roll by,
for a [A]father and his [D]son.
Then [G]suddenly when it [C]happened,
there was [D]so much un[G]said,
No [E]second chance to [Am]tell him thanks
For [A]everything he's [D]done.[D7]
[Chorus]
[C]I never will [G]forget him, for he [C]made me what I [G]am,
Though he [C]may be [G]gone, memories [D]linger [G]on,
And I [Am]miss [D]him, the old [G]man.
[Verse 1]
The [G]tears have all been [C]shed now,
we've [D]said our last good[G]bye's,
His [E]soul's been blessed, he's [Am]laid to rest,
and it's [A]now I feel a[D]lone.
He was [G]more than just a [C]father,
a [D]teacher, my best [G]friend,
And he can [E]still be heard in the [Am]tunes we shared,
As we [A]played them on our [D]own.[D7]
[Chorus]
[C]I never will [G]forget him, for he [C]made me what I [G]am,
Though he [C]may be [G]gone, memories [D]linger [G]on,
And I [Am]miss [D]him, the old [G]man.
[Verse 2]
[G]As a boy he'd take me [C]walking,
through [D]mountain field and [G]stream,
And he'd [E]show me things not [Am]known to kings,
a [A]secret between him and [D]me.
Like the [G]colours of the [C]pheasant,
as she [D]rises in the [G]dawn,
And how to [E]fish and make a [Am]wish,
Be[A]side the holy [D]tree.[D7]
[Chorus]
[C]I never will [G]forget him, for he [C]made me what I [G]am,
Though he [C]may be [G]gone, memories [D]linger [G]on,
And I [Am]miss [D]him, the old [G]man.
[Verse 3]
[G]I thought he'd live for[C]ever,
he [D]seemed so big and [G]strong,
But the [E]minutes fly, the [Am]years roll by,
for a [A]father and his [D]son.
Then [G]suddenly when it [C]happened,
there was [D]so much un[G]said,
No [E]second chance to [Am]tell him thanks
For [A]everything he's [D]done.[D7]
[Chorus]
[C]I never will [G]forget him, for he [C]made me what I [G]am,
Though he [C]may be [G]gone, memories [D]linger [G]on,
And I [Am]miss [D]him, the old [G]man.
Key of C Major chords
The [C]tears have all been [F]shed now,
we've [G]said our last good[C]bye's,
His [A]soul's been blessed, he's [Dm]laid to rest,
and it's [D]now I feel a[G]lone.
He was [C]more than just a [F]father,
a [G]teacher, my best [C]friend,
And he can [A]still be heard in the [Dm]tunes we shared,
As we [D]played them on our [G]own.[G7]
[F]I never will [C]forget him, for he [F]made me what I [C]am,
Though he [F]may be [C]gone, memories [G]linger [C]on,
And I [Dm]miss [G]him, the old [C]man.
[C]As a boy he'd take me [F]walking,
through [G]mountain field and [C]stream,
And he'd [A]show me things not [Dm]known to kings,
a [D]secret between him and [G]me.
Like the [C]colours of the [F]pheasant,
as she [G]rises in the [C]dawn,
And how to [A]fish and make a [Dm]wish,
Be[D]side the holy [G]tree.[G7]
[F]I never will [C]forget him, for he [F]made me what I [C]am,
Though he [F]may be [C]gone, memories [G]linger [C]on,
And I [Dm]miss [G]him, the old [C]man.
[C]I thought he'd live for[F]ever,
he [G]seemed so big and [C]strong,
But the [A]minutes fly, the [Dm]years roll by,
for a [D]father and his [G]son.
Then [C]suddenly when it [F]happened,
there was [G]so much un[C]said,
No [A]second chance to [Dm]tell him thanks
For [D]everything he's [G]done.[G7]
[F]I never will [C]forget him, for he [F]made me what I [C]am,
Though he [F]may be [C]gone, memories [G]linger [C]on,
And I [Dm]miss [G]him, the old [C]man.
Guitar chords for the key of D.
The [D]tears have all been [G]shed now,
we've [A]said our last good[D]bye's,
His [B]soul's been blessed, he's [Em]laid to rest,
and it's [E]now I feel a[A]lone.
He was [D]more than just a [G]father,
a [A]teacher, my best [D]friend,
And he can [B]still be heard in the [Em]tunes we shared,
As we [E]played them on our [A]own.[A7]
[G]I never will [D]forget him, for he [G]made me what I [D]am,
Though he [G]may be [D]gone, memories [A]linger [D]on,
And I [Em]miss [A]him, the old [D]man.
[D]As a boy he'd take me [G]walking,
through [A]mountain field and [D]stream,
And he'd [B]show me things not [Em]known to kings,
a [E]secret between him and [A]me.
Like the [D]colours of the [G]pheasant,
as she [A]rises in the [D]dawn,
And how to [B]fish and make a [Em]wish,
Be[E]side the holy [A]tree.[A7]
[G]I never will [D]forget him, for he [G]made me what I [D]am,
Though he [G]may be [D]gone, memories [A]linger [D]on,
And I [Em]miss [A]him, the old [D]man.
[D]I thought he'd live for[G]ever,
he [A]seemed so big and [D]strong,
But the [B]minutes fly, the [Em]years roll by,
for a [E]father and his [A]son.
Then [D]suddenly when it [G]happened,
there was [A]so much un[D]said,
No [B]second chance to [Em]tell him thanks
For [E]everything he's [A]done.[A7]
[G]I never will [D]forget him, for he [G]made me what I [D]am,
Though he [G]may be [D]gone, memories [A]linger [D]on,
And I [Em]miss [A]him, the old [D]man.
The [C]tears have all been [F]shed now,
we've [G]said our last good[C]bye's,
His [A]soul's been blessed, he's [Dm]laid to rest,
and it's [D]now I feel a[G]lone.
He was [C]more than just a [F]father,
a [G]teacher, my best [C]friend,
And he can [A]still be heard in the [Dm]tunes we shared,
As we [D]played them on our [G]own.[G7]
[F]I never will [C]forget him, for he [F]made me what I [C]am,
Though he [F]may be [C]gone, memories [G]linger [C]on,
And I [Dm]miss [G]him, the old [C]man.
[C]As a boy he'd take me [F]walking,
through [G]mountain field and [C]stream,
And he'd [A]show me things not [Dm]known to kings,
a [D]secret between him and [G]me.
Like the [C]colours of the [F]pheasant,
as she [G]rises in the [C]dawn,
And how to [A]fish and make a [Dm]wish,
Be[D]side the holy [G]tree.[G7]
[F]I never will [C]forget him, for he [F]made me what I [C]am,
Though he [F]may be [C]gone, memories [G]linger [C]on,
And I [Dm]miss [G]him, the old [C]man.
[C]I thought he'd live for[F]ever,
he [G]seemed so big and [C]strong,
But the [A]minutes fly, the [Dm]years roll by,
for a [D]father and his [G]son.
Then [C]suddenly when it [F]happened,
there was [G]so much un[C]said,
No [A]second chance to [Dm]tell him thanks
For [D]everything he's [G]done.[G7]
[F]I never will [C]forget him, for he [F]made me what I [C]am,
Though he [F]may be [C]gone, memories [G]linger [C]on,
And I [Dm]miss [G]him, the old [C]man.
Guitar chords for the key of D.
The [D]tears have all been [G]shed now,
we've [A]said our last good[D]bye's,
His [B]soul's been blessed, he's [Em]laid to rest,
and it's [E]now I feel a[A]lone.
He was [D]more than just a [G]father,
a [A]teacher, my best [D]friend,
And he can [B]still be heard in the [Em]tunes we shared,
As we [E]played them on our [A]own.[A7]
[G]I never will [D]forget him, for he [G]made me what I [D]am,
Though he [G]may be [D]gone, memories [A]linger [D]on,
And I [Em]miss [A]him, the old [D]man.
[D]As a boy he'd take me [G]walking,
through [A]mountain field and [D]stream,
And he'd [B]show me things not [Em]known to kings,
a [E]secret between him and [A]me.
Like the [D]colours of the [G]pheasant,
as she [A]rises in the [D]dawn,
And how to [B]fish and make a [Em]wish,
Be[E]side the holy [A]tree.[A7]
[G]I never will [D]forget him, for he [G]made me what I [D]am,
Though he [G]may be [D]gone, memories [A]linger [D]on,
And I [Em]miss [A]him, the old [D]man.
[D]I thought he'd live for[G]ever,
he [A]seemed so big and [D]strong,
But the [B]minutes fly, the [Em]years roll by,
for a [E]father and his [A]son.
Then [D]suddenly when it [G]happened,
there was [A]so much un[D]said,
No [B]second chance to [Em]tell him thanks
For [E]everything he's [A]done.[A7]
[G]I never will [D]forget him, for he [G]made me what I [D]am,
Though he [G]may be [D]gone, memories [A]linger [D]on,
And I [Em]miss [A]him, the old [D]man.
The Furey Brothers And Davie Arthur Sang The Old Man
The Sheet Music And Tin Whistle Notes For The Old Man
