The Travelling People Song lyrics and guitar chords

"The Travelling People" is a poignant folk song written by Ewan MacColl in the 1960s. The song is part of MacColl’s efforts to document and celebrate the lives of Irish and Scottish Travellers and Romani communities. It reflects themes of displacement, discrimination, cultural identity, and the erosion of traditional ways of life.

Song Meaning and Themes

1. Displacement and Loss of Tradition:
   The lyrics of the song reflect the struggles of Traveller communities, who often faced eviction, discrimination, and loss of their traditional nomadic lifestyles due to government policies and societal pressures. The song conveys a sense of loss and longing for freedom.
   
2. Cultural Pride and Identity:
   Despite the hardships described in the song, there is an underlying tone of pride in the Traveller way of life, including their rich oral traditions, music, and craftsmanship. MacColl’s lyrics celebrate the resilience and cultural heritage of these communities.
   
3. Social Injustice:
   The song is a critique of society’s treatment of nomadic peoples. Travellers were often seen as outcasts and faced prejudice from the settled population. MacColl highlights the unfairness of these attitudes and policies.
   
4. Empathy and Solidarity:
   Ewan MacColl was known for his social activism and often wrote songs that expressed solidarity with marginalized groups. "The Travelling People" is a call for compassion and understanding for a community often overlooked and mistreated
   

Cultural Context

• The song was written during a time when Traveller communities in the UK and Ireland faced increasing displacement due to urbanization and modernization.
• MacColl was deeply influenced by the British and Irish folk revivals and sought to preserve the stories and struggles of working-class and marginalized people.

Legacy

• "The Travelling People" remains a powerful social commentary and is often performed at folk festivals and concerts celebrating MacColl’s work.
• The song is considered an important piece in the broader conversation about human rights, cultural preservation, and empathy for minority communities.

 Freeborn man of the travelling people sheet music notes in solfege format now included. Written by Ewan McColl and a big hit for The Dubliners with Luke Kelly [ lyrics ] on vocals, also recorded by Johnny McEvoy and by The Pogues. The first version of the chords is by The Dubliners with the guitar chords in chordpro fitting the youtube video, the second version is by Liam Clancy using the same chords as the video.The sheet music is included. The youtube video is of The Dubliners. The song was recorded as a demo by Shane MacGowan And The Pogues but the never got around to putting the final version together.

The Travelling People Song Lyrics & Chords The Dubliners with Luke Kelly No Capo

I’m [C]a freeborn man of the [F]travelling [G]people,
Got no fixed abode with nomads I am [C]numbered,
Country [G]lanes and by [C]ways were always [F]my [C]way,
I’ve [F]never [C]fancied [F]being [Bb]lum[C]bered.

Well we knew the woods and the [F]resting [G]places,
And the small bird sang when winter time was [C]over
Then we'd [G]pack our load and be [C]on the [F]road,
[C]Those were [F]good old [C]times [F]for the [Bb]ro[C]ver.

In the open ground you could [F]stop and [G]linger,
For a week or two for time was not your [C]master,
Then a[G]way you'd jog with your [C]horse and [F]dog,
[C]Nice and [F]easy [C]no need [F]to go [Bb]fas[C]ter.

And sometimes we’d meet up [F]with other [G]people
Hear the news or else swap friendly infor[C]mation
At the [G]country fair, we’d be [C]meeting [F]there
[C]All the [F]people [C]of the [F]travelling [Bb]na[C]tion

I've made willow creels and the [F]heather [G]besoms
And I've even done some begging and some [C]hawkin'
And I've [G]lain there spent wrapped up [C]in my [F]tent
[C]And I've [F]listened [C]to the [F]old folks [Bb]talk[C]ing

All you freeborn men of the [F]travelling [G]people,
Every tinker, rolling stone and gypsy [C]rover,
Winds of [G]change are blowing, old [C]ways are [F]going,
[C]Your tra[F]velling [C]days will [F]soon be [Bb]o[C]ver.

I’m [C]a freeborn man of the [F]traveling [G]people,
Got no fixed abode with nomads I am [C]numbered,
Country [G]lanes and by [C]ways were always [F]my [C]way,
I [F]never [C]fancied [F]being [Bb]lum[C]bered.

Other song lyrics about travellers on the site include The Tinkers Lullaby Lyrics by ''The Pecker Dunne''

The Travelling People Words And Chords In G 

I’m *[G]*a freeborn man of the *[C]*traveling *[D7]*people,
Got no fixed abode with nomads I have *[G]*wandered
Country *[D7]*lanes and by *[G]*ways were always *[C]*my *[G]*ways,
I *[C]*never *[G]*fancied *[C]* being *[F]*lum*[G]*bered.


Oh we knew the woods and the *[C]*resting *[D7]*places,
And a small bird sang when winter days were *[G]*over
Then we'd *[D7]*pack our loads and be *[G]*on the *[C]*road,
*[G]*Those were *[C]*good old *[G]*days *[C]*for a *[F]*ro*[G]*ver.


There was open ground where a *[C]*man could *[D7]*linger,
For a week or two for time was not our *[G]*master,
Then a*[D7]*way you'd jog with your *[G]*horse and *[C]*dog,
*[G]*Nice and *[C]*easy *[G]*no need *[C]*to go *[F]*fas*[G]*ter.


Now I've known life hard and I've *[C]*known life *[D7]*easy,
And I've cursed the life when winter days were *[G]*dawning,
But I've *[D7]*laughed and sung through the *[G]*whole night *[C]*long,
*[G]*Seen the *[C]*summer *[G]*sunrise *[C]*in the *[F]*morn*[G]*ing.


All you freeborn men of the *[C]*travelling *[D7]*people,
Every tinker, rolling stone and gypsy *[G]*rover,
Winds of *[D7]*change are blowing, *[G]*old ways are *[C]*go*[G]*ing,
Your *[C]*travelling *[G]*days will *[C]*soon be *[F]*o*[G]*ver.

The Travelling People Sheet Music Notes By Ewan McColl

Poem Of The Traveling People

The Travelling People roam the land
With caravans and tents in hand
A nomadic life, they call their own
A freedom that cannot be shown

They travel with the changing seasons
With no set path or rhyme or reason
Their journey takes them far and wide
With no destination to abide

They move through fields and over hills
With laughter and joy, their hearts are filled
Their music echoes through the night
A celebration of their nomadic life

They follow the stars and the moon
Guiding them to a new tune
With stories and tales to share
They bring life to the places they dare

They know the secrets of every town
And the hidden gems that can't be found
They trade their goods and their art
Leaving a mark in every heart

Their children grow up on the road
With a different way of life bestowed
Learning from the land and the sky
With open hearts and curious minds

But with progress comes a change
Their way of life, it's hard to sustain
Forced to settle in one place
Losing their freedom and their space

But still, they hold on to their roots
Their traditions and their ancient routes
For they are the Travelling People
And their spirit will always ripple.

Freeborn man of the travelling people sheet music notes in solfege [ Do re mi ]format

The Irish Travelers Song Lyrics

Verse 1:
We come from the Emerald Isle, with our hearts so wild
Traveling people from Ireland, with a story to tell
Our feet never stay still, always on the move
Roaming through the countryside, under the moon

Chorus:
We are the travelers, with a spirit so free
Never tied down, always chasing our dreams
Our home is the open road, our love is the sky
Traveling people from Ireland, we'll never say goodbye

Verse 2:
With our colorful wagons, and our horses so strong
We make our way, singing our favorite songs
The smell of peat and the sound of the fiddle
These are the things that make our hearts ripple

Chorus:
We are the travelers, with a spirit so free
Never tied down, always chasing our dreams
Our home is the open road, our love is the sky
Traveling people from Ireland, we'll never say goodbye

Bridge:
We may not have much, but we have each other
Our love and our laughter, we'll never smother
We may not have a permanent place to call home
But our hearts are filled with love, no matter where we roam

Chorus:
We are the travelers, with a spirit so free
Never tied down, always chasing our dreams
Our home is the open road, our love is the sky
Traveling people from Ireland, we'll never say goodbye

Outro:
So if you see us passing by, with a twinkle in our eye
Don't be afraid, just come and say hi
We'll share a pint and a story or two
Traveling people from Ireland, always welcoming you.

The Traveling People From Ireland


The Travelling People from Ireland were a nomadic group of people who roamed the countryside, living off the land and following their own set of traditions and customs. They were a tight-knit community, bound together by their shared heritage and love for the open road.

The group was led by a wise and kind-hearted woman named Maeve. She had long, silver hair that she wore in braids and piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the world. Maeve was respected by all and her word was law among the Travelling People.

One day, as they were journeying through the rolling green hills of Ireland, they came across a small town. The villagers were wary of the Travelling People, as they had heard stories of their wild ways and thievery. But Maeve approached them with a smile and a warm greeting, and soon the villagers were won over by her charm and kindness.

The Travelling People were invited to stay in the town for a few days, and they set up camp on the outskirts. The villagers were fascinated by their way of life and eagerly asked questions about their customs and beliefs. Maeve was more than happy to share their traditions with them, and the villagers were amazed by the sense of community and freedom that the Travelling People had.

As the days went by, the villagers and the Travelling People grew closer. They shared meals, stories, and laughter, and the villagers began to see the Travelling People in a new light. They were no longer seen as outsiders, but as friends.

But their peaceful stay was soon disrupted by a group of bandits who had been terrorizing the town. The villagers were scared and didn't know what to do, but Maeve and her people quickly sprang into action. They used their knowledge of the land to track down the bandits and with their quick thinking and bravery, they were able to capture them and return the stolen goods to the villagers.

The villagers were amazed and grateful for the Travelling People's help. They realized that their preconceived notions about the group were wrong and that they were actually a kind and honorable people. They threw a feast in their honor and showered them with gifts as a token of their appreciation.

As the Travelling People prepared to leave, the villagers begged them to stay. They had become like family to them and they didn't want to say goodbye. But Maeve knew that their way of life was to keep moving and exploring new places.

Before they left, Maeve gave a heartfelt speech, thanking the villagers for their kindness and reminding them that there is more that unites us than divides us. She also invited the villagers to join them on their travels, to experience the freedom and adventure of their lifestyle.

The villagers were touched by her words, but ultimately decided to stay in their town. However, many of them made a promise to visit the Travelling People whenever they were passing through their area.

And so, the Travelling People bid farewell to their new friends, with a promise to always keep in touch. As they continued on their journey, they carried with them the memories of the kind villagers and the knowledge that no matter where they go, there will always be people who will welcome them with open arms