The Prickly Bush lyrics and chords

for The Fureys, a traditional song. Also recorded by Bob Dylan, Nick Jones, Judy Collins among others. The is The Fureys version and the guitar chords which were worked out by Marc Fahrbach match what the Fureys play.​ The prickly bush tin whistle sheet music plus the mandolin tab included.

For Furey’s Version use capo on 1st fret on guitar
 
Intro: G-G-D7-D7-G-G-D7-D7-G-C-G-G
 
(D7)Oh the prickly (G)bush
(C)Bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore
And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush
I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.
 
So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.
Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while
For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own father
Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.
 
Now (D7)father have you brought me (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?
Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?
 
No, (D7)son I haven’t brought you (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.
But (C)I must (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.
 
But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush
It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore
And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush
I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.
 
So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.
Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while
For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own mother
Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.
 
Oh, (D7)mother have you brought me (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?
Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?
 
No, (D7)son I haven’t brought you (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.
But (C)I must (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

Some versions add corresponding verses with the condemned’s brother, sister, etc.
Repeat Intro
 
But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush
It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore
And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush
I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.
 
So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.
Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while
For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own true love
Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.
 
My (D7)love have you brought me (G)gold
Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?
Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?
 
Yes (D7)love I brought you (G)gold
And (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.
But (C)I’ll that (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.
 
Happy-end-alternative as prefered in most other versions:
...For (C)I won’t (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,
Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.
 
But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush
It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore
And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush
I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.