The Rolling Hills Of The Border Lyrics And Chords
(Matt McGinn)
Lyrics and chords fit the McCalmans’ version from their album ‘The Music And Song Of Scotland’ (with capo on 1st fret). Original version by composer Matt McGinn in D major (to change key set G=D, C=G, D7=A7, D=A, Em=Bm). Part of the Scottish lyrics and chords section .
The River Tweed marks the Borderline between England and Scotland.
Lyrics and chords fit the McCalmans’ version from their album ‘The Music And Song Of Scotland’ (with capo on 1st fret). Original version by composer Matt McGinn in D major (to change key set G=D, C=G, D7=A7, D=A, Em=Bm). Part of the Scottish lyrics and chords section .
The River Tweed marks the Borderline between England and Scotland.
Song lyrics without the chords.
When I die, bury me low
Where I can hear the bonny Tweed flow;
A sweeter place I never did know,
Than the rolling hills of the borders.
I have travelled far and wide,
Seen the Hudson and the Clyde,
I've courted by Loch Lomond's side,
But I dearly love the borders.
It’s well that I can mind the day,
With my lass I strolled by the Tay,
But all his beauty fades away,
Among the hills of the borders.
There's a certain peace of mind
Bonnie lassies there you'll find
The men are hard but yet so kind,
Among the hills of the borders
When I die, bury me low
Where I can hear the bonny Tweed flow;
A sweeter place I never did know,
Than the rolling hills of the borders.
I have travelled far and wide,
Seen the Hudson and the Clyde,
I've courted by Loch Lomond's side,
But I dearly love the borders.
It’s well that I can mind the day,
With my lass I strolled by the Tay,
But all his beauty fades away,
Among the hills of the borders.
There's a certain peace of mind
Bonnie lassies there you'll find
The men are hard but yet so kind,
Among the hills of the borders
Intro: G-G-G-G
Chorus
(G)When I die, (C)bury me (G)low
Where I can hear the (D7)bonny Tweed (D)flow;
A (Em)sweeter place I (C)never did know,
Than the (G)rolling hills of the (D7)bor(G)ders. -G-G
(G)I have travelled (C)far and (G)wide,
Seen the Hudson (D7)and the (D)Clyde,
I've (Em)courted by Loch (C)Lomond's side,
But I (G)dearly love the (D7)bor(G)ders. -G-G
Chorus
G-G-D7-G-D7
It’s (G)well that I can (C)mind the (G)day,
With my lass I (D7)strolled by the (D)Tay,
But (Em)all his beauty (C)fades away,
A(G)mong the hills of the (D7)bor(G)ders. -G-G
Chorus
G-G-D7-G-D7
(G)There's a certain (C)peace of (G)mind
Bonnie lassies (D7)there you'll (D)find
The (Em)men are hard but (C)yet so kind,
A(G)mong the hills of the (D7)bor(G)ders. -G-G
Chorus 2x
G-G-D7-Em-C
G-G-D7-G-G-G-G
Chorus
(G)When I die, (C)bury me (G)low
Where I can hear the (D7)bonny Tweed (D)flow;
A (Em)sweeter place I (C)never did know,
Than the (G)rolling hills of the (D7)bor(G)ders. -G-G
(G)I have travelled (C)far and (G)wide,
Seen the Hudson (D7)and the (D)Clyde,
I've (Em)courted by Loch (C)Lomond's side,
But I (G)dearly love the (D7)bor(G)ders. -G-G
Chorus
G-G-D7-G-D7
It’s (G)well that I can (C)mind the (G)day,
With my lass I (D7)strolled by the (D)Tay,
But (Em)all his beauty (C)fades away,
A(G)mong the hills of the (D7)bor(G)ders. -G-G
Chorus
G-G-D7-G-D7
(G)There's a certain (C)peace of (G)mind
Bonnie lassies (D7)there you'll (D)find
The (Em)men are hard but (C)yet so kind,
A(G)mong the hills of the (D7)bor(G)ders. -G-G
Chorus 2x
G-G-D7-Em-C
G-G-D7-G-G-G-G
“The Rolling Hills of the Borders” is a heartfelt Scottish folk song, and it flows naturally in 3/4 time — a gentle folk waltz.
Below you’ll find both a strumming pattern and a fingerpicking tab for the first verse (the first four lines you provided).
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Waltz Feel)
This song works beautifully with a 1–2–3 waltz rhythm, where:
Beat 1: strong bass or downstroke
Beats 2–3: lighter down-up or brush strokes
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
(Counted as: 1 2& 3&)
Tips:
Emphasize beat 1 (the bass note).
Use light wrist motion on beats 2–3 for a circular, lilting feel.
Keep the strumming gentle and flowing — think of a slow dance.
Example (G chord):
| G | G |
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
(1 2& 3&)
Bass Alternation suggestions:
G → alternate between 6th & 4th strings
C → alternate between 5th & 4th strings
D / D7 → alternate between 4th & 5th strings
Em → alternate between 6th & 4th strings
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
Here’s a simple 3/4 arpeggio pattern, keeping a steady pulse and clear melody flow.
Use:
Thumb (p) for bass (E, A, D)
Index (i) for G
Middle (m) for B
Ring (a) for high E (if used)
Verse 1:
G C G
e|--------3-------------3-------|--------0-------------0-------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----|------1---1---------1---1-----|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---|----0-------0-----0-------0---|
D|-------------------------------|--2-----------2---------------|
A|-------------------------------|3-----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|------------------------------|
When I die, bury me low, where I can hear the bonny Tweed flow;
D7 D Em C
e|--------2-------------2-------|--------2-------------2-------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----|------0---0---------1---1-----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----0-------0-----0-------0---|
D|--0-----------0---------------|-------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------|----------------3-------------|
E|-------------------------------|-0-----------0----------------|
A sweeter place I never did know, than the rolling hills of the Borders.
🎶 Playing Tips
Let the bass notes (thumb) anchor the rhythm steadily on beat 1.
Keep the treble arpeggios light and flowing — this song sounds best when it breathes.
For emotional effect, add small hammer-ons in Em (0→2 on D string) or C (0→2 on D string) at phrase starts.
“The Rolling Hills of the Borders” is a heartfelt Scottish folk song, and it flows naturally in 3/4 time — a gentle folk waltz.
Below you’ll find both a strumming pattern and a fingerpicking tab for the first verse (the first four lines you provided).
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Waltz Feel)
This song works beautifully with a 1–2–3 waltz rhythm, where:
Beat 1: strong bass or downstroke
Beats 2–3: lighter down-up or brush strokes
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
(Counted as: 1 2& 3&)
Tips:
Emphasize beat 1 (the bass note).
Use light wrist motion on beats 2–3 for a circular, lilting feel.
Keep the strumming gentle and flowing — think of a slow dance.
Example (G chord):
| G | G |
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
(1 2& 3&)
Bass Alternation suggestions:
G → alternate between 6th & 4th strings
C → alternate between 5th & 4th strings
D / D7 → alternate between 4th & 5th strings
Em → alternate between 6th & 4th strings
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (First Verse)
Here’s a simple 3/4 arpeggio pattern, keeping a steady pulse and clear melody flow.
Use:
Thumb (p) for bass (E, A, D)
Index (i) for G
Middle (m) for B
Ring (a) for high E (if used)
Verse 1:
G C G
e|--------3-------------3-------|--------0-------------0-------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----|------1---1---------1---1-----|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---|----0-------0-----0-------0---|
D|-------------------------------|--2-----------2---------------|
A|-------------------------------|3-----------------------------|
E|-3-----------3-----------------|------------------------------|
When I die, bury me low, where I can hear the bonny Tweed flow;
D7 D Em C
e|--------2-------------2-------|--------2-------------2-------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----|------0---0---------1---1-----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----0-------0-----0-------0---|
D|--0-----------0---------------|-------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------|----------------3-------------|
E|-------------------------------|-0-----------0----------------|
A sweeter place I never did know, than the rolling hills of the Borders.
🎶 Playing Tips
Let the bass notes (thumb) anchor the rhythm steadily on beat 1.
Keep the treble arpeggios light and flowing — this song sounds best when it breathes.
For emotional effect, add small hammer-ons in Em (0→2 on D string) or C (0→2 on D string) at phrase starts.
Below is the list of sheet music and tin whistle songs that are in my ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle songs ever put together.[over 900 songs ] Including folk, pop and trad tunes plus German And French songs along with Christmas Carols.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50 . The Rolling Hills Of The Border Tin Whistle Sheet Music Included.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50 . The Rolling Hills Of The Border Tin Whistle Sheet Music Included.
