True Irishman song lyrics and guitar chords
written by Edward Connors from the Soairse Irish Band, the guitar chords are courtesy of Marc Fahrbach. This song uses just two chords, there is a riff [music intermission that takes a different form from the medley] in the middle of the song. Play the Am chord for this part of the song. This is a very catch song, once it gets into your head it's very hard to get out. You can always change the guitar chords here if they don't fit your voice.The melody/tune is not written in the naturally Irish folk style which is a welcome break. A great piece of songwriting.
True Irishman Lyrics And Guitar Chords
Use Capo on 2nd fret
Chorus:
I (Am)am a true Irishman but there I was not (G)born.
I'm (Am)living here in places far across the native (G)foam.
I'd (Am)like to sit and have a drink and tell you of my (G)day.
I (Am)am what I (G)am and I (Am)do not give a damn.
I (Am)went to see me girlfriend, good morning to her(G)says I
Ah, (Am)go away, ye traitor, for you'll tell to me no (G)lies.
You (Am)scorn me name with nothing but shame with your bed on your (G)back
Get (Am)on your bike and (G)hit the road. I (Am)won't be taking you back.
Chorus
I (Am)went inside a session from night to early (G)morn.
The (Am)music got inside my heart. My soul it had to (G)play,
In (Am)between the fiddle and flute with a smile upon me (G)face,
But the (Am)emptiness in(G)side me heart the (Am)music did replace.
Musical Part using Am- and G-chords, alternatively play Chorus
Well, (Am) I may travel far and wide, they wander off a(G)stray
But an (Am)Irishman, it's in his heart and there will always (G)stay
I'll (Am)bring the spirit with me and wander far a(G)way
And I'll (Am)bring it back a(G)gain and (Am)then I might just stay.
Chorus twice
I (Am)am what I (G)am and I (Am)do not give a damn.
I (Am)am what I (G)am
Use Capo on 2nd fret
Chorus:
I (Am)am a true Irishman but there I was not (G)born.
I'm (Am)living here in places far across the native (G)foam.
I'd (Am)like to sit and have a drink and tell you of my (G)day.
I (Am)am what I (G)am and I (Am)do not give a damn.
I (Am)went to see me girlfriend, good morning to her(G)says I
Ah, (Am)go away, ye traitor, for you'll tell to me no (G)lies.
You (Am)scorn me name with nothing but shame with your bed on your (G)back
Get (Am)on your bike and (G)hit the road. I (Am)won't be taking you back.
Chorus
I (Am)went inside a session from night to early (G)morn.
The (Am)music got inside my heart. My soul it had to (G)play,
In (Am)between the fiddle and flute with a smile upon me (G)face,
But the (Am)emptiness in(G)side me heart the (Am)music did replace.
Musical Part using Am- and G-chords, alternatively play Chorus
Well, (Am) I may travel far and wide, they wander off a(G)stray
But an (Am)Irishman, it's in his heart and there will always (G)stay
I'll (Am)bring the spirit with me and wander far a(G)way
And I'll (Am)bring it back a(G)gain and (Am)then I might just stay.
Chorus twice
I (Am)am what I (G)am and I (Am)do not give a damn.
I (Am)am what I (G)am
🎸 STRUMMING PATTERN
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~95–100 BPM (steady folk groove)
➤ Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Count it as: 1 2& &4&
You can accent beat 2 slightly for the Irish “lift.”
Optional variation:
For verses — play softly with muted bass (using palm).
For chorus — open up with full, ringing strums.
Example Feel (per chord):
Am → 1 bar
G → 1 bar
Am → 1 bar
G → 1 bar
(repeat through verse and chorus)
🎶 FINGERSTYLE GUITAR TAB
(for first verse + chorus, using a steady alternating thumb pattern)
Right hand:
Thumb = E, A, D (bass)
Index = G string
Middle = B string
Ring = high E string
Picking pattern per measure (4/4):
Bass → G → B → high E → B → G
This keeps a lovely rolling pulse under the melody — classic for Irish-style storytelling songs.
CHORUS TAB
Lyrics:
I (Am)am a true Irishman but there I was not (G)born.
I'm (Am)living here in places far across the native (G)foam.
I'd (Am)like to sit and have a drink and tell you of my (G)day.
I (Am)am what I (G)am and I (Am)do not give a damn.
Am
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|0-----------------0-----------------|
E|------------------------------------|
G
e|--------3-------------3-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|------------------------------------|
A|--2-----------2---------------------|
E|3-----------------3-----------------|
Repeat this alternating Am → G pattern for each line of the chorus.
FIRST VERSE TAB
Lyrics:
I (Am)went to see me girlfriend, good morning to her (G)says I
Ah, (Am)go away, ye traitor, for you'll tell to me no (G)lies.
You (Am)scorn me name with nothing but shame with your bed on your (G)back
Get (Am)on your bike and (G)hit the road. I (Am)won't be taking you back.
Am
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|0-----------------0-----------------|
E|------------------------------------|
G
e|--------3-------------3-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|------------------------------------|
A|--2-----------2---------------------|
E|3-----------------3-----------------|
Play this same rolling pattern through the verse, keeping the bass alternating steadily — it gives the tune a walking, story-telling drive.
💡 Playing Tips
Keep the thumb alternating steadily between root and fifth — that gives a strong Irish pulse.
For a vocal accompaniment, pluck lighter treble notes to let the singing sit on top.
On the last Am of each chorus, you can arpeggiate slower or strum once to close the section.
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: ~95–100 BPM (steady folk groove)
➤ Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Count it as: 1 2& &4&
You can accent beat 2 slightly for the Irish “lift.”
Optional variation:
For verses — play softly with muted bass (using palm).
For chorus — open up with full, ringing strums.
Example Feel (per chord):
Am → 1 bar
G → 1 bar
Am → 1 bar
G → 1 bar
(repeat through verse and chorus)
🎶 FINGERSTYLE GUITAR TAB
(for first verse + chorus, using a steady alternating thumb pattern)
Right hand:
Thumb = E, A, D (bass)
Index = G string
Middle = B string
Ring = high E string
Picking pattern per measure (4/4):
Bass → G → B → high E → B → G
This keeps a lovely rolling pulse under the melody — classic for Irish-style storytelling songs.
CHORUS TAB
Lyrics:
I (Am)am a true Irishman but there I was not (G)born.
I'm (Am)living here in places far across the native (G)foam.
I'd (Am)like to sit and have a drink and tell you of my (G)day.
I (Am)am what I (G)am and I (Am)do not give a damn.
Am
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|0-----------------0-----------------|
E|------------------------------------|
G
e|--------3-------------3-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|------------------------------------|
A|--2-----------2---------------------|
E|3-----------------3-----------------|
Repeat this alternating Am → G pattern for each line of the chorus.
FIRST VERSE TAB
Lyrics:
I (Am)went to see me girlfriend, good morning to her (G)says I
Ah, (Am)go away, ye traitor, for you'll tell to me no (G)lies.
You (Am)scorn me name with nothing but shame with your bed on your (G)back
Get (Am)on your bike and (G)hit the road. I (Am)won't be taking you back.
Am
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|0-----------------0-----------------|
E|------------------------------------|
G
e|--------3-------------3-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|------------------------------------|
A|--2-----------2---------------------|
E|3-----------------3-----------------|
Play this same rolling pattern through the verse, keeping the bass alternating steadily — it gives the tune a walking, story-telling drive.
💡 Playing Tips
Keep the thumb alternating steadily between root and fifth — that gives a strong Irish pulse.
For a vocal accompaniment, pluck lighter treble notes to let the singing sit on top.
On the last Am of each chorus, you can arpeggiate slower or strum once to close the section.
True Irishman In An Alternative Key
I (Bm)am a true Irishman but there I was not (A)born.
I'm (Bm)living here in places far across the native (A)foam.
I'd (Bm)like to sit and have a drink and tell you of my (A)day.
I (Bm)am what I (A)am and I (Bm)do not give a damn.
I (Bm)went to see me girlfriend, good morning to her(A)says I
Ah, (Bm)go away, ye traitor, for you'll tell to me no (A)lies.
You (Bm)scorn me name with nothing but shame with your bed on your (A)back
Get (Bm)on your bike and (A)hit the road. I (Bm)won't be taking you back.
I (Bm)am a true Irishman but there I was not (A)born.
I'm (Bm)living here in places far across the native (A)foam.
I'd (Bm)like to sit and have a drink and tell you of my (A)day.
I (Bm)am what I (A)am and I (Bm)do not give a damn.
I (Bm)went to see me girlfriend, good morning to her(A)says I
Ah, (Bm)go away, ye traitor, for you'll tell to me no (A)lies.
You (Bm)scorn me name with nothing but shame with your bed on your (A)back
Get (Bm)on your bike and (A)hit the road. I (Bm)won't be taking you back.
Guitar Chords In Em
I (Em)am a true Irishman but there I was not (D)born.
I'm (Em)living here in places far across the native (D)foam.
I'd (Em)like to sit and have a drink and tell you of my (D)day.
I (Em)am what I (D)am and I (Em)do not give a damn.
I (Em)went to see me girlfriend, good morning to her(D)says I
Ah, (Em)go away, ye traitor, for you'll tell to me no (D)lies.
You (Em)scorn me name with nothing but shame with your bed on your (D)back
Get (Em)on your bike and (D)hit the road. I (Em)won't be taking you back.
I (Em)am a true Irishman but there I was not (D)born.
I'm (Em)living here in places far across the native (D)foam.
I'd (Em)like to sit and have a drink and tell you of my (D)day.
I (Em)am what I (D)am and I (Em)do not give a damn.
I (Em)went to see me girlfriend, good morning to her(D)says I
Ah, (Em)go away, ye traitor, for you'll tell to me no (D)lies.
You (Em)scorn me name with nothing but shame with your bed on your (D)back
Get (Em)on your bike and (D)hit the road. I (Em)won't be taking you back.
True Irishmen song lyrics
Born in the land of green
Where the rivers flow free
From the rolling hills to the bustling towns
Proud and strong, we'll always be
Chorus:
We are true Irishmen
With hearts of gold and spirits high
We'll raise our glasses to the sky
And sing our songs until the night
Verse 2:
Our heritage runs deep
With legends and tales to keep
We'll dance to the beat of the bodhrán
And keep our traditions alive
Chorus:
We are true Irishmen
With hearts of gold and spirits high
We'll raise our glasses to the sky
And sing our songs until the night
Bridge:
Through hardship and strife
We've stood the test of time
With our resilient spirit
We'll continue to shine
Chorus:
We are true Irishmen
With hearts of gold and spirits high
We'll raise our glasses to the sky
And sing our songs until the night
Outro:
So here's to the true Irishmen
May our culture never die
We'll keep on singing, dancing, and loving
With our heads held high.
Born in the land of green
Where the rivers flow free
From the rolling hills to the bustling towns
Proud and strong, we'll always be
Chorus:
We are true Irishmen
With hearts of gold and spirits high
We'll raise our glasses to the sky
And sing our songs until the night
Verse 2:
Our heritage runs deep
With legends and tales to keep
We'll dance to the beat of the bodhrán
And keep our traditions alive
Chorus:
We are true Irishmen
With hearts of gold and spirits high
We'll raise our glasses to the sky
And sing our songs until the night
Bridge:
Through hardship and strife
We've stood the test of time
With our resilient spirit
We'll continue to shine
Chorus:
We are true Irishmen
With hearts of gold and spirits high
We'll raise our glasses to the sky
And sing our songs until the night
Outro:
So here's to the true Irishmen
May our culture never die
We'll keep on singing, dancing, and loving
With our heads held high.
