Twenty Men From Dublin Town lyrics and chords
Written by Arthur Griffett who was the founder of Sinn Fein. alternative chords- C=G, Am=Em, F=C, G=D. Always change the key of the song to suit your own voice. The video is of Danny Doyle.
The tenor banjo / mandolin tab is in this ebook here .
The tenor banjo / mandolin tab is in this ebook here .
TWENTY MEN FROM DUBLIN TOWN
Two centuries earlier when Red Hugh O'Donnell had escaped from Dublin, it was to Glenmalure that he fled. Now, with Myles Byrne and Arthur Devlin to guide him, Robert Emmet also made his way into the trackless Wicklows to avoid the forces of the Crown.
It has been often said that "if you scratch an Irish politician, you'll find a rebel." What is not as well understood is that if you scratch the same Irish politician a second time, you will likely also find a poet. Arthur Griffith, founder of Sinn Féin, wrote this rousing battle-song honouring the men in the Wicklow Hills after the failure of Emmet's rising.
About a week after the rising was crushed, arrangements began to be made for the escape of Robert Emmet and Myles Byrne to France. They had only, it appears, to wait safely in the hills until a suitable vessel could be secured to spirit them away. Demonstrating characteristic daring-and a usual lack of common sense-Emmet demurred. Instead, to be closer to his dying mother and his sweetheart, he took lodging in Harold's Cross under an alias in the house of a Mrs. Palmer. It proved to be a fatal, if romantic, gamble... Major Henry Sirr of the Dublin Town Police was closing in.
Two centuries earlier when Red Hugh O'Donnell had escaped from Dublin, it was to Glenmalure that he fled. Now, with Myles Byrne and Arthur Devlin to guide him, Robert Emmet also made his way into the trackless Wicklows to avoid the forces of the Crown.
It has been often said that "if you scratch an Irish politician, you'll find a rebel." What is not as well understood is that if you scratch the same Irish politician a second time, you will likely also find a poet. Arthur Griffith, founder of Sinn Féin, wrote this rousing battle-song honouring the men in the Wicklow Hills after the failure of Emmet's rising.
About a week after the rising was crushed, arrangements began to be made for the escape of Robert Emmet and Myles Byrne to France. They had only, it appears, to wait safely in the hills until a suitable vessel could be secured to spirit them away. Demonstrating characteristic daring-and a usual lack of common sense-Emmet demurred. Instead, to be closer to his dying mother and his sweetheart, he took lodging in Harold's Cross under an alias in the house of a Mrs. Palmer. It proved to be a fatal, if romantic, gamble... Major Henry Sirr of the Dublin Town Police was closing in.
[C]Twenty men from[Am] Dublin town[F] riding on the mountain[D]side
Fearless of the[Am] Saxon frown, [F]twenty brothers true and [C]tried
[F]Blood flows [G]in the [C]city[Am] streets,[F] there the green is lying[G] low
Here[C] the Emerald[Am] standard greets [F]eyes a[G]like of friend and[C] foe
Chorus- [F]Fly the [G]city, [C]brothers[Am] tried, [F]join us on the mountain[G]side
[C]Where we've England's[Am] power defied[G] twenty [F]men from Dublin[C] town
Twenty men from Dublin town, full of love and full of hate
Ah! our chief, our Tone is down, hand of God avenge his fate
Joy it is when e'er we meet redcoats on the mountain track
Oh as deer they must be fleet, if to Dublin they get back
Twenty men from Dublin town, every night around the fire
Brimming glasses we toss down to our captain Michael Dwyer
Slainte, Michael, barve and true, then there rings the wild hurrah
As we drink, dear land, to you, Eire! Slainte Geal go Bragh
Fearless of the[Am] Saxon frown, [F]twenty brothers true and [C]tried
[F]Blood flows [G]in the [C]city[Am] streets,[F] there the green is lying[G] low
Here[C] the Emerald[Am] standard greets [F]eyes a[G]like of friend and[C] foe
Chorus- [F]Fly the [G]city, [C]brothers[Am] tried, [F]join us on the mountain[G]side
[C]Where we've England's[Am] power defied[G] twenty [F]men from Dublin[C] town
Twenty men from Dublin town, full of love and full of hate
Ah! our chief, our Tone is down, hand of God avenge his fate
Joy it is when e'er we meet redcoats on the mountain track
Oh as deer they must be fleet, if to Dublin they get back
Twenty men from Dublin town, every night around the fire
Brimming glasses we toss down to our captain Michael Dwyer
Slainte, Michael, barve and true, then there rings the wild hurrah
As we drink, dear land, to you, Eire! Slainte Geal go Bragh
✅ Full chords for all verses in G
✅ A strumming pattern (marching folk style)
✅ A fingerstyle tab for the first verse + chorus
🎵 1. Full Song with Chords (in G Major)
[Verse 1]
[G]Twenty men from [Em]Dublin town, [C]riding on the mountain [D]side,
Fearless of the [Em]Saxon frown, [C]twenty brothers true and [G]tried.
[C]Blood flows [D]in the [G]city [Em]streets, [C]there the green is lying [D]low,
Here [G]the Emerald [Em]standard greets, [C]eyes a[D]like of friend and [G]foe.
[Chorus]
[C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers [Em]tried, [C]join us on the mountain [D]side,
[G]Where we've England's [Em]power defied, [D]twenty [C]men from Dublin [G]town.
[Verse 2]
[G]Twenty men from [Em]Dublin town, [C]full of love and full of [D]hate,
Ah, our [Em]chief, our Tone is down, [C]hand of God avenge his [G]fate.
[C]Joy it [D]is when [G]e’er we [Em]meet [C]redcoats on the mountain [D]track,
Oh as [G]deer they [Em]must be fleet, [C]if to [D]Dublin they get [G]back.
[Chorus]
[C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers [Em]tried, [C]join us on the mountain [D]side,
[G]Where we've England's [Em]power defied, [D]twenty [C]men from Dublin [G]town.
[Verse 3]
[G]Twenty men from [Em]Dublin town, [C]every night around the [D]fire,
Brimming [Em]glasses we toss down [C]to our captain Michael [G]Dwyer.
[C]Sláinte, [D]Michael, [G]brave and [Em]true, [C]then there rings the wild hu[D]rrah,
As we [G]drink, dear [Em]land, to you, [C]Éire, [D]Sláinte geal go [G]brá.
[Chorus - repeat & end]
[C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers [Em]tried, [C]join us on the mountain [D]side,
[G]Where we've England's [Em]power defied, [D]twenty [C]men from Dublin [G]town.
🎸 2. STRUMMING PATTERN
Time Signature: 4/4 (folk march feel)
Tempo: ~95–100 BPM (steady and strong)
➤ Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Count: 1 2& &4&
Keep it firm but flowing, like a marching pulse — think The Wolfe Tones or The Dubliners.
Use downstrokes on beats 1 and 3 for emphasis.
Optional alternate pattern (folk bass-strum):
Bass ↓ – Strum ↓↑ – Bass ↓ – Strum ↑↓↑
This works well for verses, then open up for choruses.
🎶 3. FINGERSTYLE GUITAR TAB
(First verse + chorus, G Major)
Right-hand pattern (per measure):
Bass → G → B → high E → B → G
Thumb = E/A/D strings
Index = G string
Middle = B string
Ring = high E string
FIRST VERSE TAB
Lyrics:
[G]Twenty men from [Em]Dublin town, [C]riding on the mountain [D]side,
Fearless of the [Em]Saxon frown, [C]twenty brothers true and [G]tried.
[C]Blood flows [D]in the [G]city [Em]streets, [C]there the green is lying [D]low,
Here [G]the Emerald [Em]standard greets, [C]eyes a[D]like of friend and [G]foe.
G
e|--------3-------------3-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--0-----------0---------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|3-----------------3-----------------|
Em
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|2-----------------2-----------------|
E|0-----------------------------------|
C
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|3-----------------3-----------------|
E|------------------------------------|
D
e|--------2-------------2-------------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---------|
D|0-----------------0-----------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
CHORUS TAB
Lyrics:
[C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers [Em]tried, [C]join us on the mountain [D]side,
[G]Where we've England's [Em]power defied, [D]twenty [C]men from Dublin [G]town.
C
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|3-----------------3-----------------|
E|------------------------------------|
D
e|--------2-------------2-------------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---------|
D|0-----------------0-----------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
G
e|--------3-------------3-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--0-----------0---------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|3-----------------3-----------------|
Em
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|2-----------------2-----------------|
E|0-----------------------------------|
💡 Playing Tips
Let the thumb drive the rhythm for that marching energy.
Keep dynamics low in verses, then open up on the chorus.
For the line “eyes alike of friend and foe,” let that final G ring fully.
If performing live, alternate fingerpicking and strumming to add drama — it’s how most Irish bands deliver this one.
✅ A strumming pattern (marching folk style)
✅ A fingerstyle tab for the first verse + chorus
🎵 1. Full Song with Chords (in G Major)
[Verse 1]
[G]Twenty men from [Em]Dublin town, [C]riding on the mountain [D]side,
Fearless of the [Em]Saxon frown, [C]twenty brothers true and [G]tried.
[C]Blood flows [D]in the [G]city [Em]streets, [C]there the green is lying [D]low,
Here [G]the Emerald [Em]standard greets, [C]eyes a[D]like of friend and [G]foe.
[Chorus]
[C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers [Em]tried, [C]join us on the mountain [D]side,
[G]Where we've England's [Em]power defied, [D]twenty [C]men from Dublin [G]town.
[Verse 2]
[G]Twenty men from [Em]Dublin town, [C]full of love and full of [D]hate,
Ah, our [Em]chief, our Tone is down, [C]hand of God avenge his [G]fate.
[C]Joy it [D]is when [G]e’er we [Em]meet [C]redcoats on the mountain [D]track,
Oh as [G]deer they [Em]must be fleet, [C]if to [D]Dublin they get [G]back.
[Chorus]
[C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers [Em]tried, [C]join us on the mountain [D]side,
[G]Where we've England's [Em]power defied, [D]twenty [C]men from Dublin [G]town.
[Verse 3]
[G]Twenty men from [Em]Dublin town, [C]every night around the [D]fire,
Brimming [Em]glasses we toss down [C]to our captain Michael [G]Dwyer.
[C]Sláinte, [D]Michael, [G]brave and [Em]true, [C]then there rings the wild hu[D]rrah,
As we [G]drink, dear [Em]land, to you, [C]Éire, [D]Sláinte geal go [G]brá.
[Chorus - repeat & end]
[C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers [Em]tried, [C]join us on the mountain [D]side,
[G]Where we've England's [Em]power defied, [D]twenty [C]men from Dublin [G]town.
🎸 2. STRUMMING PATTERN
Time Signature: 4/4 (folk march feel)
Tempo: ~95–100 BPM (steady and strong)
➤ Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Count: 1 2& &4&
Keep it firm but flowing, like a marching pulse — think The Wolfe Tones or The Dubliners.
Use downstrokes on beats 1 and 3 for emphasis.
Optional alternate pattern (folk bass-strum):
Bass ↓ – Strum ↓↑ – Bass ↓ – Strum ↑↓↑
This works well for verses, then open up for choruses.
🎶 3. FINGERSTYLE GUITAR TAB
(First verse + chorus, G Major)
Right-hand pattern (per measure):
Bass → G → B → high E → B → G
Thumb = E/A/D strings
Index = G string
Middle = B string
Ring = high E string
FIRST VERSE TAB
Lyrics:
[G]Twenty men from [Em]Dublin town, [C]riding on the mountain [D]side,
Fearless of the [Em]Saxon frown, [C]twenty brothers true and [G]tried.
[C]Blood flows [D]in the [G]city [Em]streets, [C]there the green is lying [D]low,
Here [G]the Emerald [Em]standard greets, [C]eyes a[D]like of friend and [G]foe.
G
e|--------3-------------3-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--0-----------0---------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|3-----------------3-----------------|
Em
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|2-----------------2-----------------|
E|0-----------------------------------|
C
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|3-----------------3-----------------|
E|------------------------------------|
D
e|--------2-------------2-------------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---------|
D|0-----------------0-----------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
CHORUS TAB
Lyrics:
[C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers [Em]tried, [C]join us on the mountain [D]side,
[G]Where we've England's [Em]power defied, [D]twenty [C]men from Dublin [G]town.
C
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------1---1---------1---1-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|3-----------------3-----------------|
E|------------------------------------|
D
e|--------2-------------2-------------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----------|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---------|
D|0-----------------0-----------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
G
e|--------3-------------3-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--0-----------0---------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|3-----------------3-----------------|
Em
e|--------0-------------0-------------|
B|------0---0---------0---0-----------|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0---------|
D|--2-----------2---------------------|
A|2-----------------2-----------------|
E|0-----------------------------------|
💡 Playing Tips
Let the thumb drive the rhythm for that marching energy.
Keep dynamics low in verses, then open up on the chorus.
For the line “eyes alike of friend and foe,” let that final G ring fully.
If performing live, alternate fingerpicking and strumming to add drama — it’s how most Irish bands deliver this one.
Below is the list of sheet music and tin whistle songs that are in my ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle songs ever put together.[over 900 songs ] Including folk, pop and trad tunes plus German And French songs along with Christmas Carols.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
Twenty men from Dublin Town sheet music / tin whistle notes included.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
Twenty men from Dublin Town sheet music / tin whistle notes included.
Here's the guitar chords in the key of G
[G]Twenty men from[Em] Dublin town[C] riding on the mountain[A]side
Fearless of the[Em] Saxon frown, [C]twenty brothers true and [G]tried
[C]Blood flows [D]in the [G]city[Em] streets,[C] there the green is lying[D] low
Here[G] the Emerald[Em] standard greets [C]eyes a[D]like of friend and[G] foe
Chorus- [C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers[Em] tried, [C]join us on the mountain[D]side
[G]Where we've England's[Em] power defied[D] twenty [C]men from Dublin[G] town
[G]Twenty men from[Em] Dublin town[C] riding on the mountain[A]side
Fearless of the[Em] Saxon frown, [C]twenty brothers true and [G]tried
[C]Blood flows [D]in the [G]city[Em] streets,[C] there the green is lying[D] low
Here[G] the Emerald[Em] standard greets [C]eyes a[D]like of friend and[G] foe
Chorus- [C]Fly the [D]city, [G]brothers[Em] tried, [C]join us on the mountain[D]side
[G]Where we've England's[Em] power defied[D] twenty [C]men from Dublin[G] town
"Twenty Men From Dublin Town" is a significant Irish rebel song that has gained renewed attention recently, particularly due to its inclusion in the TV series "Mob Land" (or "The Gentlemen"). It's a song deeply rooted in Irish history and the struggle for independence.
Here's a breakdown:
Here's a breakdown:
- Authorship and Historical Context:
- The song is attributed to Arthur Griffith (1872-1922), a hugely important figure in Irish history. Griffith was the founder of Sinn Féin, a key intellectual behind the Irish independence movement, and later served as President of Dáil Éireann.
- He wrote this song to commemorate the men in the Wicklow Hills following the failure of Robert Emmet's Rebellion in 1803. After Emmet's rising was crushed, some rebels, including Myles Byrne, managed to evade British forces by escaping into the Wicklow Mountains, a historical stronghold for Irish rebels. The song celebrates their defiance and continued resistance.
- The song is attributed to Arthur Griffith (1872-1922), a hugely important figure in Irish history. Griffith was the founder of Sinn Féin, a key intellectual behind the Irish independence movement, and later served as President of Dáil Éireann.
- Theme and Meaning:
- Rebellion and Resistance: The core theme is the unwavering spirit of Irish rebels in the face of British oppression. "Twenty men from Dublin town, riding on the mountain side, fearless of the Saxon frown, twenty brothers true and tried."
- Defiance Against British Rule: The lyrics speak of defying "England's power" and express joy at encountering "Redcoats on the mountain track," challenging the authority of the British forces.
- Commemoration of Leaders: The song explicitly references Wolfe Tone (Theobald Wolfe Tone), a central figure in the 1798 Rebellion and a founding father of Irish republicanism, whose efforts deeply influenced later movements. The line "Oh! our chief, our Tone, is down, hand of God, avenge his fate" laments his capture and death (likely by suicide to avoid execution) and calls for vengeance. It also mentions Captain Michael Dwyer, a prominent rebel leader from the 1798 Rebellion who successfully led a guerrilla campaign from the Wicklow Mountains for years after the main rebellion was suppressed.
- Patriotism and Hope: The song is a rallying cry for Irish freedom, culminating in a toast to Ireland: "As we drink, dear land, to you, Éire! Sláinte Geal go Bráth" (Ireland! Bright Health Forever).
- The Wicklow Mountains as a Sanctuary: The mountains provide a safe haven for the rebels, a place where they can defy the British and regroup.
- Rebellion and Resistance: The core theme is the unwavering spirit of Irish rebels in the face of British oppression. "Twenty men from Dublin town, riding on the mountain side, fearless of the Saxon frown, twenty brothers true and tried."
- Musical Style and Popularity:
- "Twenty Men From Dublin Town" is typically performed as a stirring and somewhat defiant ballad, with a melody that captures the spirit of rebellion.
- It has been recorded by various Irish folk and rebel artists over the years. Danny Doyle has a well-known recording of the song, and it's also been performed by groups like The Irish Rebels.
- Its inclusion in modern media, like "Mob Land," has brought it to a new generation of listeners, highlighting its enduring power and historical resonance.
- "Twenty Men From Dublin Town" is typically performed as a stirring and somewhat defiant ballad, with a melody that captures the spirit of rebellion.
