The West Coast Of Clare Lyrics And Chords By Andy Irvine
The Piano Sheet Music Chords Is Included. Including this one, there several other songs from The West Coast of Clare including Lisdoonvarna Song by folk singer Christy Moore which is a comical song. There's also one for the town of Cooraclare [ song lyrics ] which was recorded by Annmarie O'Riordan and the third song from The West Coast Of Clare area is Fremantel Bay Song which is set in Doolin during the times of the Great Hunger and in my opinion one of the finest Irish ballads ever written, it's up there with the Fields Of Athenry song. But there's not a whole lot of people that even heard about the song for some reason.Guitar chords are in chordpro.
[C]Sorrow and[G] sadness ,[Am] bitter[G]ness ,[Am] grief
[F]Memories I have of [C]you[G] wont leave me in[Am] peace
My[F] mind is running[C] back to the[G] West coast of[Am] Clare
[F]Thinking of[C] you and the[G] times we spent[Am] there
I walked the Spanise point I knew I'd find you there
I stood on the white strand and you were everywhere
Vivid memories fade but the mood still remains
I wish I could go back and be with you again
In Milltown there is a pub it's there that I sat down
I see you everywhere your face is all around
The search of times past contains such sweet pain
I'll banish lonesome thoughts but they'll return again
I walk along the shore the rain in my face
My mind is numb with grief of you there is no trace
I'll think of this again when in far off gleng I rove
Walking with you by this cold Atlantic flow
[Repeat first verse]
[F]Memories I have of [C]you[G] wont leave me in[Am] peace
My[F] mind is running[C] back to the[G] West coast of[Am] Clare
[F]Thinking of[C] you and the[G] times we spent[Am] there
I walked the Spanise point I knew I'd find you there
I stood on the white strand and you were everywhere
Vivid memories fade but the mood still remains
I wish I could go back and be with you again
In Milltown there is a pub it's there that I sat down
I see you everywhere your face is all around
The search of times past contains such sweet pain
I'll banish lonesome thoughts but they'll return again
I walk along the shore the rain in my face
My mind is numb with grief of you there is no trace
I'll think of this again when in far off gleng I rove
Walking with you by this cold Atlantic flow
[Repeat first verse]
“The West Coast of Clare” (by Andy Irvine) is a hauntingly beautiful Irish ballad in G Major, often played in 4/4 with a lilting, reflective rhythm around 140 BPM.
It sounds best with a gentle folk strum or picking pattern that allows the melody and emotion to flow freely.
Below you’ll find:
✅ A natural strumming pattern based on the ABC timing (M:4/4, Q:¼=140)
✅ A fingerpicking tab you can use throughout the song
🎼 Key: G Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~140 BPM (moderate, flowing folk ballad)
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Flowing Folk Ballad)
Count: “ONE – two – three – four”
Gentle, continuous rhythm — flowing like the sea imagery in the lyrics.
🌊 Basic Pattern
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
1 2& 3&4&
Beat 1: Down on bass strings (root emphasis)
Beat 2: Down–up on mids/highs
Beat 3: Up
Beat 4: Down–up
Keep the motion smooth, with a light brush — think of rolling waves.
🌾 Optional Variation (for verses)
↓ (x)↑ ↓ ↓↑
1 2& 3 4&
Light percussive “chuck” or muted strum on beat 2 to give a heartbeat-like pulse.
🎵 Fingerpicking Pattern
We’ll use a steady Travis-style folk arpeggio:
p–i–m–a–m–i (thumb–index–middle–ring–middle–index)
Works perfectly in 4/4, one pattern per bar.
General Picking Shape
Thumb (p): bass note (E/A/D string depending on chord)
Index (i): G string
Middle (m): B string
Ring (a): high E string
🎶 Fingerpicking Tabs by Chord
You can use these shapes through the ABC progression; they’ll sound natural against any of the voicings.
G
e|--------3-----------3---------|
B|------0---0-------0---0-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0-----|
D|-------------------------------|
A|----------------2--------------|
E|-3------------------------------|
Em7 / Em
e|--------0-----------0---------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2---------------|
A|----------------2--------------|
E|-0------------------------------|
Am7
e|--------0-----------0---------|
B|------1---1-------1---1-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2---------------|
A|0------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
D / D9 / Dsus2 / Dsus4
e|--------2-----------3---------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------|
G|----2-------2---0-------0-----|
D|--0-----------0---------------|
A|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
(Use sus2/sus4 by alternating 0–3 on high E)
C / Cadd9
e|--------0-----------0---------|
B|------1---1-------3---3-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2---------------|
A|3------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
Asus4 / A
e|--------0-----------0---------|
B|------3---3-------2---2-------|
G|----2-------2---2-------2-----|
D|--2-----------2---------------|
A|0------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
🌊 How to Use It With Your ABC
The ABC shows alternating moments of tension and release — you can fingerpick during the introspective verses, then lightly strum on emotional peaks (like “Won’t leave me in peace”).
Alternate these textures as follows:
Section Suggested Style
Lines with sorrow, sadness, grief... Fingerpicking (gentle arpeggio)
Lines with won’t leave me in peace... Soft strumming
“West Coast of Clare” refrain Fingerpicking + let chords ring
Ending “thinking of you...” Return to gentle fingerpicking, fade out
🎧 Performance Notes
Feel: Rolling 4/4 with subtle push — don’t rush; let phrases breathe.
Tone: Use fingertips or a felt pick for warmth.
Dynamic flow: Build slightly into emotional phrases, then release.
Capo (optional): Capo 2 for Andy Irvine’s original vocal register (key A Major relative).
It sounds best with a gentle folk strum or picking pattern that allows the melody and emotion to flow freely.
Below you’ll find:
✅ A natural strumming pattern based on the ABC timing (M:4/4, Q:¼=140)
✅ A fingerpicking tab you can use throughout the song
🎼 Key: G Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~140 BPM (moderate, flowing folk ballad)
🎸 Strumming Pattern (Flowing Folk Ballad)
Count: “ONE – two – three – four”
Gentle, continuous rhythm — flowing like the sea imagery in the lyrics.
🌊 Basic Pattern
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
1 2& 3&4&
Beat 1: Down on bass strings (root emphasis)
Beat 2: Down–up on mids/highs
Beat 3: Up
Beat 4: Down–up
Keep the motion smooth, with a light brush — think of rolling waves.
🌾 Optional Variation (for verses)
↓ (x)↑ ↓ ↓↑
1 2& 3 4&
Light percussive “chuck” or muted strum on beat 2 to give a heartbeat-like pulse.
🎵 Fingerpicking Pattern
We’ll use a steady Travis-style folk arpeggio:
p–i–m–a–m–i (thumb–index–middle–ring–middle–index)
Works perfectly in 4/4, one pattern per bar.
General Picking Shape
Thumb (p): bass note (E/A/D string depending on chord)
Index (i): G string
Middle (m): B string
Ring (a): high E string
🎶 Fingerpicking Tabs by Chord
You can use these shapes through the ABC progression; they’ll sound natural against any of the voicings.
G
e|--------3-----------3---------|
B|------0---0-------0---0-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0-----|
D|-------------------------------|
A|----------------2--------------|
E|-3------------------------------|
Em7 / Em
e|--------0-----------0---------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2---------------|
A|----------------2--------------|
E|-0------------------------------|
Am7
e|--------0-----------0---------|
B|------1---1-------1---1-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2---------------|
A|0------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
D / D9 / Dsus2 / Dsus4
e|--------2-----------3---------|
B|------3---3-------3---3-------|
G|----2-------2---0-------0-----|
D|--0-----------0---------------|
A|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
(Use sus2/sus4 by alternating 0–3 on high E)
C / Cadd9
e|--------0-----------0---------|
B|------1---1-------3---3-------|
G|----0-------0---0-------0-----|
D|--2-----------2---------------|
A|3------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
Asus4 / A
e|--------0-----------0---------|
B|------3---3-------2---2-------|
G|----2-------2---2-------2-----|
D|--2-----------2---------------|
A|0------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
🌊 How to Use It With Your ABC
The ABC shows alternating moments of tension and release — you can fingerpick during the introspective verses, then lightly strum on emotional peaks (like “Won’t leave me in peace”).
Alternate these textures as follows:
Section Suggested Style
Lines with sorrow, sadness, grief... Fingerpicking (gentle arpeggio)
Lines with won’t leave me in peace... Soft strumming
“West Coast of Clare” refrain Fingerpicking + let chords ring
Ending “thinking of you...” Return to gentle fingerpicking, fade out
🎧 Performance Notes
Feel: Rolling 4/4 with subtle push — don’t rush; let phrases breathe.
Tone: Use fingertips or a felt pick for warmth.
Dynamic flow: Build slightly into emotional phrases, then release.
Capo (optional): Capo 2 for Andy Irvine’s original vocal register (key A Major relative).
Andy Irvine song The West Coast Of Clare
Andy Irvine Sheet Music The West Coast Of Clare
The west coast of Clare song lyrics [2]
On the west coast of Clare, where the sea meets the sky
There's a beauty so rare, it'll make your heart fly
The rugged cliffs and golden sand, they call out to me
It's a place where my soul can finally be free
Chorus:
Oh the west coast of Clare, it's where I long to be
With the crashing waves and salty air, it's where I feel so free
I'll walk along the shoreline, with the wind in my hair
On the west coast of Clare, I'll find peace and repair
Verse 2:
The sun sets in hues of pink and orange, painting the sky
I'll sit on the rocks, watching the seagulls fly
The sound of the waves, it's like a lullaby
In this moment, all my worries and fears pass by
Chorus:
Oh the west coast of Clare, it's where I long to be
With the crashing waves and salty air, it's where I feel so free
I'll walk along the shoreline, with the wind in my hair
On the west coast of Clare, I'll find peace and repair
Bridge:
In this place, time seems to stand still
And all my troubles, they start to fade
The west coast of Clare, it has a special kind of thrill
And in its beauty, my heart is swayed
Chorus:
Oh the west coast of Clare, it's where I long to be
With the crashing waves and salty air, it's where I feel so free
I'll walk along the shoreline, with the wind in my hair
On the west coast of Clare, I'll find peace and repair
Outro:
So if you ever find yourself lost and in despair
Come to the west coast of Clare, and you'll find solace there.
On the west coast of Clare, where the sea meets the sky
There's a beauty so rare, it'll make your heart fly
The rugged cliffs and golden sand, they call out to me
It's a place where my soul can finally be free
Chorus:
Oh the west coast of Clare, it's where I long to be
With the crashing waves and salty air, it's where I feel so free
I'll walk along the shoreline, with the wind in my hair
On the west coast of Clare, I'll find peace and repair
Verse 2:
The sun sets in hues of pink and orange, painting the sky
I'll sit on the rocks, watching the seagulls fly
The sound of the waves, it's like a lullaby
In this moment, all my worries and fears pass by
Chorus:
Oh the west coast of Clare, it's where I long to be
With the crashing waves and salty air, it's where I feel so free
I'll walk along the shoreline, with the wind in my hair
On the west coast of Clare, I'll find peace and repair
Bridge:
In this place, time seems to stand still
And all my troubles, they start to fade
The west coast of Clare, it has a special kind of thrill
And in its beauty, my heart is swayed
Chorus:
Oh the west coast of Clare, it's where I long to be
With the crashing waves and salty air, it's where I feel so free
I'll walk along the shoreline, with the wind in my hair
On the west coast of Clare, I'll find peace and repair
Outro:
So if you ever find yourself lost and in despair
Come to the west coast of Clare, and you'll find solace there.
