The Work Of The Weaver Lyrics And Chords
Written by David Shaw Recorded by The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem, Ewan McColl, Ray Fisher And By The Corries. The sheet music and whistle notes are included. Also recorded by Frobisher Bay Volunteers and North Sea Gas. Ewan McColl must has spent his whole life writing or recording considering the amount of content I have come across while putting this website together. But I suppose here in Ireland he'll always be remembered for writing the song Dirty Old Town and being the daddy of Kirsty. Guitar chords in G Major in chordpro.
[G]We're all met together here to[C] sit and to[G] crack
Wi' our glasses in our hands and our [C]work upon our[G] back
There's nae a trade among 'em that can[C] mend or can[G] mak
If it wasn't for the work of the[D] wea[G]vers
If it[G] was not for the [D]weavers, [C]what would you[G] do
You [C]wouldn'a hae the[G] clothes that's[C] made of [D]wool
You [G]wouldn'a hae a coat of the[C] black or the [G]blue
If it was not for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers
There's soldiers and there's sailors and glaziers and all
There's doctors and there's ministers and them that live by law
And our friends in Sooth America, though them we never saw
But we can they wear the work of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers
Though weavin' is a trade that never can fail
As long as we need clothes for to keep another hale
So let us all be merry o'er a bicker of good ale
And we'll drink to the health of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do?
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers
The Work Of The Weavers Lyrics
We're all met together here to sit and to crack
Wi' our glasses in our hands and our work upon our back
There's nae a trade among 'em that can mend or can mak
If it wasn't for the work of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers
There's soldiers and there's sailors and glaziers and all
There's doctors and there's ministers and them that live by law
And our friends in Sooth America, though them we never saw
But we can they wear the work of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers
Though weavin' is a trade that never can fail
As long as we need clothes for to keep another hale
So let us all be merry o'er a bicker of good ale
And we'll drink to the health of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do?
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers.
Here's the guitar chords in the key of D
[D]We're all met together here to[G] sit and to[D] crack
Wi' our glasses in our hands and our [G]work upon our[D] back
There's nae a trade among 'em that can[G] mend or can[D] mak
If it wasn't for the work of the[A] wea[D]vers
If it[D] was not for the [A]weavers, [G]what would you[D] do
You [G]wouldn'a hae the[D] clothes that's[G] made of [A]wool
You [D]wouldn'a hae a coat of the[G] black or the [D]blue
If it was not for the work of the [A]wea[D]vers
Wi' our glasses in our hands and our [C]work upon our[G] back
There's nae a trade among 'em that can[C] mend or can[G] mak
If it wasn't for the work of the[D] wea[G]vers
If it[G] was not for the [D]weavers, [C]what would you[G] do
You [C]wouldn'a hae the[G] clothes that's[C] made of [D]wool
You [G]wouldn'a hae a coat of the[C] black or the [G]blue
If it was not for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers
There's soldiers and there's sailors and glaziers and all
There's doctors and there's ministers and them that live by law
And our friends in Sooth America, though them we never saw
But we can they wear the work of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers
Though weavin' is a trade that never can fail
As long as we need clothes for to keep another hale
So let us all be merry o'er a bicker of good ale
And we'll drink to the health of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do?
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers
The Work Of The Weavers Lyrics
We're all met together here to sit and to crack
Wi' our glasses in our hands and our work upon our back
There's nae a trade among 'em that can mend or can mak
If it wasn't for the work of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers
There's soldiers and there's sailors and glaziers and all
There's doctors and there's ministers and them that live by law
And our friends in Sooth America, though them we never saw
But we can they wear the work of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers
Though weavin' is a trade that never can fail
As long as we need clothes for to keep another hale
So let us all be merry o'er a bicker of good ale
And we'll drink to the health of the weavers
If it was not for the weavers, what would you do?
You wouldn'a hae the clothes that's made of wool
You wouldn'a hae a coat of the black or the blue
If it was not for the work of the weavers.
Here's the guitar chords in the key of D
[D]We're all met together here to[G] sit and to[D] crack
Wi' our glasses in our hands and our [G]work upon our[D] back
There's nae a trade among 'em that can[G] mend or can[D] mak
If it wasn't for the work of the[A] wea[D]vers
If it[D] was not for the [A]weavers, [G]what would you[D] do
You [G]wouldn'a hae the[D] clothes that's[G] made of [A]wool
You [D]wouldn'a hae a coat of the[G] black or the [D]blue
If it was not for the work of the [A]wea[D]vers
[Verse 1] Guitar chords to all verses
[G]We’re all met together here to [C]sit and to [G]crack,
Wi’ our glasses in our hands and our [C]work upon our [G]back,
There’s nae a trade among ’em that can [C]mend or can [G]mak’,
If it wasna for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Chorus]
If it [G]was not for the [D]weavers, [C]what would you [G]do?
You [C]wouldna hae the [G]clothes that’s [C]made of [D]wool,
You [G]wouldna hae a coat o’ the [C]black or the [G]blue,
If it wasna for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Verse 2]
There’s [G]soldiers and there’s sailors and [C]glaziers and [G]all,
There’s doctors and there’s ministers and [C]them that live by [G]law,
And our friends in Sooth America, [C]though them we never [G]saw,
Yet we ken they wear the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Chorus]
If it [G]was not for the [D]weavers, [C]what would you [G]do?
You [C]wouldna hae the [G]clothes that’s [C]made of [D]wool,
You [G]wouldna hae a coat o’ the [C]black or the [G]blue,
If it wasna for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Verse 3]
Though [G]weavin’ is a trade that can [C]never well [G]fail,
As long as we need clothes for to [C]keep another [G]hale,
So let us all be merry o’er a [C]bicker o’ good [G]ale,
And we’ll drink to the health o’ the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Final Chorus]
If it [G]was not for the [D]weavers, [C]what would you [G]do?
You [C]wouldna hae the [G]clothes that’s [C]made of [D]wool,
You [G]wouldna hae a coat o’ the [C]black or the [G]blue,
If it wasna for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (for 2/4 time):
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ (steady rhythm)
Accent every second downstroke for a lively Scottish feel.
Or in 4/4 time:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
(for a more swinging pub rhythm).
Here’s a lively instrumental intro & turnaround riff for “The Work of the Weavers” in G Major — fits beautifully between verses or to start the song before the singing.
It’s designed for standard tuning (EADGBE) and playable on acoustic or folk guitar.
Think of it as a fiddle-style intro that matches the bouncy 2/4 rhythm.
🎵 Intro / Turnaround Riff – “The Work of the Weavers” (Key of G)(Play before Verse 1 or between verses) Lively tempo, 2/4 feel e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| B|-----0---0------|-----1---0------|-----3-1-0------|-----0----------| G|---0---2---0----|---0---0---0----|---0-----0------|---0---0--------| D|-0--------------|-2--------------|-0--------------|-0--------------| A|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| E|3---------------|----------------|----------------|3---------------| G chord feel C chord feel D turnaround Back to G 👉 Play it twice for a fuller intro before the first line:
“We’re all met together here to sit and to crack…”
💡 Optional Variations
Performance TipStart the intro with light fingerpicking or gentle single-note plucks,
then move to full strumming on the chorus for lift --
typical of how this song is sung in Irish and Scottish sessions.
[G]We’re all met together here to [C]sit and to [G]crack,
Wi’ our glasses in our hands and our [C]work upon our [G]back,
There’s nae a trade among ’em that can [C]mend or can [G]mak’,
If it wasna for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Chorus]
If it [G]was not for the [D]weavers, [C]what would you [G]do?
You [C]wouldna hae the [G]clothes that’s [C]made of [D]wool,
You [G]wouldna hae a coat o’ the [C]black or the [G]blue,
If it wasna for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Verse 2]
There’s [G]soldiers and there’s sailors and [C]glaziers and [G]all,
There’s doctors and there’s ministers and [C]them that live by [G]law,
And our friends in Sooth America, [C]though them we never [G]saw,
Yet we ken they wear the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Chorus]
If it [G]was not for the [D]weavers, [C]what would you [G]do?
You [C]wouldna hae the [G]clothes that’s [C]made of [D]wool,
You [G]wouldna hae a coat o’ the [C]black or the [G]blue,
If it wasna for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Verse 3]
Though [G]weavin’ is a trade that can [C]never well [G]fail,
As long as we need clothes for to [C]keep another [G]hale,
So let us all be merry o’er a [C]bicker o’ good [G]ale,
And we’ll drink to the health o’ the [D]wea[G]vers.
[Final Chorus]
If it [G]was not for the [D]weavers, [C]what would you [G]do?
You [C]wouldna hae the [G]clothes that’s [C]made of [D]wool,
You [G]wouldna hae a coat o’ the [C]black or the [G]blue,
If it wasna for the work of the [D]wea[G]vers.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (for 2/4 time):
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ (steady rhythm)
Accent every second downstroke for a lively Scottish feel.
Or in 4/4 time:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
(for a more swinging pub rhythm).
Here’s a lively instrumental intro & turnaround riff for “The Work of the Weavers” in G Major — fits beautifully between verses or to start the song before the singing.
It’s designed for standard tuning (EADGBE) and playable on acoustic or folk guitar.
Think of it as a fiddle-style intro that matches the bouncy 2/4 rhythm.
🎵 Intro / Turnaround Riff – “The Work of the Weavers” (Key of G)(Play before Verse 1 or between verses) Lively tempo, 2/4 feel e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| B|-----0---0------|-----1---0------|-----3-1-0------|-----0----------| G|---0---2---0----|---0---0---0----|---0-----0------|---0---0--------| D|-0--------------|-2--------------|-0--------------|-0--------------| A|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| E|3---------------|----------------|----------------|3---------------| G chord feel C chord feel D turnaround Back to G 👉 Play it twice for a fuller intro before the first line:
“We’re all met together here to sit and to crack…”
💡 Optional Variations
- Between verses, just play the last two measures (the D → G part) as a short turnaround.
- For a pub session feel, strum G – C – G – D – G once per bar with this rhythm:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Performance TipStart the intro with light fingerpicking or gentle single-note plucks,
then move to full strumming on the chorus for lift --
typical of how this song is sung in Irish and Scottish sessions.
The weavers song lyrics [2]
In the quiet of the morning
Before the sun has risen high
The weaver starts their work
With thread and loom in hand they sigh
Creating something beautiful
From strands of different hue
With every stitch and every knot
Their masterpiece starts to bloom
Chorus:
Oh the work of the weaver
A dance of thread and art
Each piece a unique creation
A true reflection of the heart
Verse 2:
With patience and precision
They weave their magic touch
Each movement intentional
As they create with love and such
Their hands may be weary
But their heart is full of pride
For every tapestry they craft
Is a story to be told and guide
Chorus:
Oh the work of the weaver
A dance of thread and art
Each piece a unique creation
A true reflection of the heart
Bridge:
With every piece they weave
A part of them is left behind
A little piece of their soul
In every thread intertwined
Chorus:
Oh the work of the weaver
A dance of thread and art
Each piece a unique creation
A true reflection of the heart
Outro:
So here's to the weaver
Whose hands create such grace
Their work will live on forever
A timeless beauty to embrace.
In the quiet of the morning
Before the sun has risen high
The weaver starts their work
With thread and loom in hand they sigh
Creating something beautiful
From strands of different hue
With every stitch and every knot
Their masterpiece starts to bloom
Chorus:
Oh the work of the weaver
A dance of thread and art
Each piece a unique creation
A true reflection of the heart
Verse 2:
With patience and precision
They weave their magic touch
Each movement intentional
As they create with love and such
Their hands may be weary
But their heart is full of pride
For every tapestry they craft
Is a story to be told and guide
Chorus:
Oh the work of the weaver
A dance of thread and art
Each piece a unique creation
A true reflection of the heart
Bridge:
With every piece they weave
A part of them is left behind
A little piece of their soul
In every thread intertwined
Chorus:
Oh the work of the weaver
A dance of thread and art
Each piece a unique creation
A true reflection of the heart
Outro:
So here's to the weaver
Whose hands create such grace
Their work will live on forever
A timeless beauty to embrace.
