The White Rose Of Athens Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords
Recorded by Nana Mouskouri in 1974. Chords by Bob Sharpe. There are several different version here that use different keys for the song. All were sent to the site by Bob. The tin whistle and Easy version for beginners of the sheet music is included. The song was also covered by Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell who has many songs with guitar chords in the Irish country songs section of the site.The white rose of Athens guitar tab now added.
So [C] goodbye my love till [G] then
Till the white rose blooms [C] again
The [C]summer days - are end [G7] ing in the [C] valley
And soon the [G7] time will come When we must be [C] apart
Now you must start -
You journ[G7]ey to the [C] city
And leave me [G7] till Another spring-time comes [C] around
.
CHORUS
Till the white rose blooms [G] again
You must leave me, [F] leave me [G] lon -[C]- ely
So goodbye my love till [G] then
Till the white rose blooms [C] again
REPEAT CHORUS
The autumn leaves - are fall[G7]ing in the [C] valley
And soon the [G7] winter snow Will lie upon the [C] ground
But like the rose That comes [G7] back with the [C] springtime
You will re[G7]turn to me When springtime comes [C] around
CHORUS.
Good [G] bye [F] till [C] then
Good [G] bye [F] till [C] then.
Till the white rose blooms [C] again
The [C]summer days - are end [G7] ing in the [C] valley
And soon the [G7] time will come When we must be [C] apart
Now you must start -
You journ[G7]ey to the [C] city
And leave me [G7] till Another spring-time comes [C] around
.
CHORUS
Till the white rose blooms [G] again
You must leave me, [F] leave me [G] lon -[C]- ely
So goodbye my love till [G] then
Till the white rose blooms [C] again
REPEAT CHORUS
The autumn leaves - are fall[G7]ing in the [C] valley
And soon the [G7] winter snow Will lie upon the [C] ground
But like the rose That comes [G7] back with the [C] springtime
You will re[G7]turn to me When springtime comes [C] around
CHORUS.
Good [G] bye [F] till [C] then
Good [G] bye [F] till [C] then.
So [C] goodbye my love till [G] then
Till the [Em] white rose [G] blooms [C] again
The [Dm] summer [C] days Are ending [F] in the [C] valley
And soon the [G] time will come When we must be [C] apart
[Dm] Now [Em] you [F] must [C] start
You journ -[G]- ey to the [C] city
And leave me [G] till Another spring-time comes [C] around
.
CHORUS
[C] Till the white rose blooms [G] again
You must [Em] leave [G] me, [F] leave [C] me [G] lon -[C]- ely
So goodbye my love till [G] then
Till the [Em] white rose [G] blooms [C] again
The [Dm] autumn [C] leaves Are falling [F] in the [C] valley
And soon the [G] winter snow Will lie upon the [C] ground
[Dm] But [Em] like [F] the [C] rose That comes back [G] in the [C] springtime
You will re -[G]- turn to me When springtime comes [C] around
.
CHORUS.
.
Good -[G]- bye [F] till [C] then
Good -[G]- bye [F] till [C] then
Till the [Em] white rose [G] blooms [C] again
The [Dm] summer [C] days Are ending [F] in the [C] valley
And soon the [G] time will come When we must be [C] apart
[Dm] Now [Em] you [F] must [C] start
You journ -[G]- ey to the [C] city
And leave me [G] till Another spring-time comes [C] around
.
CHORUS
[C] Till the white rose blooms [G] again
You must [Em] leave [G] me, [F] leave [C] me [G] lon -[C]- ely
So goodbye my love till [G] then
Till the [Em] white rose [G] blooms [C] again
The [Dm] autumn [C] leaves Are falling [F] in the [C] valley
And soon the [G] winter snow Will lie upon the [C] ground
[Dm] But [Em] like [F] the [C] rose That comes back [G] in the [C] springtime
You will re -[G]- turn to me When springtime comes [C] around
.
CHORUS.
.
Good -[G]- bye [F] till [C] then
Good -[G]- bye [F] till [C] then
Below is a fingerpicking guitar tab that gently carries both the melody and harmony, perfect for playing solo or with a soft vocal.
It’s arranged in C Major, with a steady 3/4 waltz feel (1–2–3, 1–2–3).
🎸 Style Notes
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Tempo: 70–80 BPM (slow waltz)
Time Signature: 3/4
Picking pattern:
Thumb (p) → bass note (beat 1)
Index (i) → G string (beat 2)
Middle (m) → B string (beat 3)
Optional ring (a) → high E for melody or flourish
🎶 Fingerpicking Guitar Tab
(Verse + Chorus combined — melody integrated)
Verse 1
“The summer days are ending in the valley…”
[ C ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-------0-------------0-------------------|
D|--2-----------------2---2----------------2-------------------|
A|3-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3------------------3---------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0---------0-1-0---0--------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0---0-------------0----------------------|
D|----------------0-------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------2---------------------------------------|
E|3-----------------------------------------------------------|
[ Em ]
e|--------------0-----------------------0----------------------|
B|--------0-1-0---0---------0-1-0------0-----------------------|
G|------0-------------0---0-------------0----------------------|
D|----2--------------------------------------------------------|
A|2------------------------------------------------------------|
E|0------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3------------------3----------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0---------0-1-0---0---------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0---0-------------0-----------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------2----------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0-----------------------------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-------------------------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----------------------------------------|
D|--2-----------------2----------------------------------------|
A|3------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
Verse Continuation
“And soon the time will come when we must be apart…”
[ Dm ]
e|--------------1-----------------------1----------------------|
B|--------3-1-0---0---------3-1-0------0-----------------------|
G|------2-------------2---2-------------2----------------------|
D|----0--------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-------0-------------0-------------------|
D|--2-----------------2---2----------------2-------------------|
A|3-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------|
[ F ]
e|-------------1-----------------------1-----------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----2-------------2-------2-------------2-------------------|
D|--3-----------------3---3----------------3-------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------|
E|1------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-------0-------------0-------------------|
D|--2-----------------2---2----------------2-------------------|
A|3-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3----------------------3------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0-----------0-1-0----0------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----0-------------0---------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|------------------2------------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
🎵 Chorus
“Till the white rose blooms again, you must leave me…”
[ C ]
e|-------------0-----------------------------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-------------------------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----------------------------------------|
D|--2-----------------2----------------------------------------|
A|3------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3----------------------3------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0-----------0-1-0----0------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----0-------------0---------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|------------------2------------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
[ Em ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0-----------0-1-0----0------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----0-------------0---------------------|
D|----2--------------------------------------------------------|
A|2------------------------------------------------------------|
E|0------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3----------------------3------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0-----------0-1-0----0------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----0-------------0---------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|------------------2------------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
[ F ]
e|-------------1----------------------1------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----2-------------2-------2-------------2-------------------|
D|--3-----------------3---3----------------3-------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------|
E|1------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-------0-------------0-------------------|
D|--2-----------------2---2----------------2-------------------|
A|3------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3-----------------------------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0---------------------------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----------------------------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|------------------2------------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0-----------------------------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-------------------------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----------------------------------------|
D|--2-----------------2----------------------------------------|
A|3------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
💡 Playing Tips
Use thumb (p) on bass, index (i) on G, middle (m) on B, ring (a) on high E.
Keep the melody on the top strings slightly louder.
Maintain a gentle 3/4 rhythm — think “boom, chick, chick.”
Let chords ring naturally between measures for warmth.
End the final “Goodbye till then” on a long ringing C chord.
It’s arranged in C Major, with a steady 3/4 waltz feel (1–2–3, 1–2–3).
🎸 Style Notes
Tuning: Standard (EADGBE)
Tempo: 70–80 BPM (slow waltz)
Time Signature: 3/4
Picking pattern:
Thumb (p) → bass note (beat 1)
Index (i) → G string (beat 2)
Middle (m) → B string (beat 3)
Optional ring (a) → high E for melody or flourish
🎶 Fingerpicking Guitar Tab
(Verse + Chorus combined — melody integrated)
Verse 1
“The summer days are ending in the valley…”
[ C ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-------0-------------0-------------------|
D|--2-----------------2---2----------------2-------------------|
A|3-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3------------------3---------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0---------0-1-0---0--------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0---0-------------0----------------------|
D|----------------0-------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------2---------------------------------------|
E|3-----------------------------------------------------------|
[ Em ]
e|--------------0-----------------------0----------------------|
B|--------0-1-0---0---------0-1-0------0-----------------------|
G|------0-------------0---0-------------0----------------------|
D|----2--------------------------------------------------------|
A|2------------------------------------------------------------|
E|0------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3------------------3----------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0---------0-1-0---0---------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0---0-------------0-----------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------2----------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0-----------------------------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-------------------------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----------------------------------------|
D|--2-----------------2----------------------------------------|
A|3------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
Verse Continuation
“And soon the time will come when we must be apart…”
[ Dm ]
e|--------------1-----------------------1----------------------|
B|--------3-1-0---0---------3-1-0------0-----------------------|
G|------2-------------2---2-------------2----------------------|
D|----0--------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-------0-------------0-------------------|
D|--2-----------------2---2----------------2-------------------|
A|3-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------|
[ F ]
e|-------------1-----------------------1-----------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----2-------------2-------2-------------2-------------------|
D|--3-----------------3---3----------------3-------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------|
E|1------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-------0-------------0-------------------|
D|--2-----------------2---2----------------2-------------------|
A|3-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3----------------------3------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0-----------0-1-0----0------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----0-------------0---------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|------------------2------------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
🎵 Chorus
“Till the white rose blooms again, you must leave me…”
[ C ]
e|-------------0-----------------------------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-------------------------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----------------------------------------|
D|--2-----------------2----------------------------------------|
A|3------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3----------------------3------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0-----------0-1-0----0------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----0-------------0---------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|------------------2------------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
[ Em ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0-----------0-1-0----0------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----0-------------0---------------------|
D|----2--------------------------------------------------------|
A|2------------------------------------------------------------|
E|0------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3----------------------3------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0-----------0-1-0----0------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----0-------------0---------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|------------------2------------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
[ F ]
e|-------------1----------------------1------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----2-------------2-------2-------------2-------------------|
D|--3-----------------3---3----------------3-------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------|
E|1------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0----------------------0------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-----------1-3-------1---------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-------0-------------0-------------------|
D|--2-----------------2---2----------------2-------------------|
A|3------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
[ G ]
e|-------------3-----------------------------------------------|
B|-------0-1-0---0---------------------------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----------------------------------------|
D|----------------0--------------------------------------------|
A|------------------2------------------------------------------|
E|3------------------------------------------------------------|
[ C ]
e|-------------0-----------------------------------------------|
B|-------1-3-------1-------------------------------------------|
G|-----0-------------0-----------------------------------------|
D|--2-----------------2----------------------------------------|
A|3------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
💡 Playing Tips
Use thumb (p) on bass, index (i) on G, middle (m) on B, ring (a) on high E.
Keep the melody on the top strings slightly louder.
Maintain a gentle 3/4 rhythm — think “boom, chick, chick.”
Let chords ring naturally between measures for warmth.
End the final “Goodbye till then” on a long ringing C chord.
Key Of D Major
So [D] goodbye my love till [A] then
Till the white rose blooms [D] again
The [D]summer days - are end [A7] ing in the [D] valley
And soon the [A7] time will come When we must be [D] apart
Now you must start -
You journ[A7]ey to the [D] city
And leave me [A7] till Another spring-time comes [D] around
.
CHORUS
Till the white rose blooms [A] again
You must leave me, [G] leave me [A] lon -[D]- ely
So goodbye my love till [A] then
Till the white rose blooms [D] again
REPEAT CHORUS
The autumn leaves - are fall[A7]ing in the [D] valley
And soon the [A7] winter snow Will lie upon the [D] ground
But like the rose That comes [A7] back with the [D] springtime
You will re[A7]turn to me When springtime comes [D] around
CHORUS.
Good [A] bye [G] till [D] then
Good [A] bye [G] till [D] then.
Key of G
So [G] goodbye my love till [D] then
Till the white rose blooms [G] again
The [G]summer days - are end [D7] ing in the [G] valley
And soon the [D7] time will come When we must be [G] apart
Now you must start -
You journ[D7]ey to the [G] city
And leave me [D7] till Another spring-time comes [G] around
CHORUS
Till the white rose blooms [D] again
You must leave me, [C] leave me [D] lon -[G]- ely
So goodbye my love till [D] then
Till the white rose blooms [G] again
REPEAT CHORUS
The autumn leaves - are fall[D7]ing in the [G] valley
And soon the [D7] winter snow Will lie upon the [G] ground
But like the rose That comes [D7] back with the [G] springtime
You will re[D7]turn to me When springtime comes [G] around
CHORUS.
Good [D] bye [C] till [G] then
Good [D] bye [C] till [G] then
So [D] goodbye my love till [A] then
Till the white rose blooms [D] again
The [D]summer days - are end [A7] ing in the [D] valley
And soon the [A7] time will come When we must be [D] apart
Now you must start -
You journ[A7]ey to the [D] city
And leave me [A7] till Another spring-time comes [D] around
.
CHORUS
Till the white rose blooms [A] again
You must leave me, [G] leave me [A] lon -[D]- ely
So goodbye my love till [A] then
Till the white rose blooms [D] again
REPEAT CHORUS
The autumn leaves - are fall[A7]ing in the [D] valley
And soon the [A7] winter snow Will lie upon the [D] ground
But like the rose That comes [A7] back with the [D] springtime
You will re[A7]turn to me When springtime comes [D] around
CHORUS.
Good [A] bye [G] till [D] then
Good [A] bye [G] till [D] then.
Key of G
So [G] goodbye my love till [D] then
Till the white rose blooms [G] again
The [G]summer days - are end [D7] ing in the [G] valley
And soon the [D7] time will come When we must be [G] apart
Now you must start -
You journ[D7]ey to the [G] city
And leave me [D7] till Another spring-time comes [G] around
CHORUS
Till the white rose blooms [D] again
You must leave me, [C] leave me [D] lon -[G]- ely
So goodbye my love till [D] then
Till the white rose blooms [G] again
REPEAT CHORUS
The autumn leaves - are fall[D7]ing in the [G] valley
And soon the [D7] winter snow Will lie upon the [G] ground
But like the rose That comes [D7] back with the [G] springtime
You will re[D7]turn to me When springtime comes [G] around
CHORUS.
Good [D] bye [C] till [G] then
Good [D] bye [C] till [G] then
Below is the tin whistle sheet music in the key of G Major
The white rose of Athens solfege piano sheet music letter notes and chords
Easy version for beginners
The white rose of Athens guitar tab
The White Rose Of Athens Song Lyrics [2]
She walks through the streets of Athens
With a grace that's hard to find
A beauty that's pure and timeless
A symbol of love and pride
Chorus:
The white rose of Athens
A symbol of hope and peace
Her petals hold the secrets
Of a love that will never cease
Verse 2:
Her fragrance fills the air
As she dances in the breeze
Her stem so strong and sturdy
Like the pillars of ancient Greece
Chorus:
The white rose of Athens
A symbol of hope and peace
Her petals hold the secrets
Of a love that will never cease
Bridge:
Through wars and battles she has stood
A symbol of love and truth
Her thorns may prick but her heart is pure
The white rose of Athens, forever enduring
Chorus:
The white rose of Athens
A symbol of hope and peace
Her petals hold the secrets
Of a love that will never cease
Outro:
So when you see her blooming
In the city of Athens
Remember her message
Of love and peace, forever in our hearts.
She walks through the streets of Athens
With a grace that's hard to find
A beauty that's pure and timeless
A symbol of love and pride
Chorus:
The white rose of Athens
A symbol of hope and peace
Her petals hold the secrets
Of a love that will never cease
Verse 2:
Her fragrance fills the air
As she dances in the breeze
Her stem so strong and sturdy
Like the pillars of ancient Greece
Chorus:
The white rose of Athens
A symbol of hope and peace
Her petals hold the secrets
Of a love that will never cease
Bridge:
Through wars and battles she has stood
A symbol of love and truth
Her thorns may prick but her heart is pure
The white rose of Athens, forever enduring
Chorus:
The white rose of Athens
A symbol of hope and peace
Her petals hold the secrets
Of a love that will never cease
Outro:
So when you see her blooming
In the city of Athens
Remember her message
Of love and peace, forever in our hearts.
