Uncle Nobby's Steamboat Lyrics Chords And Sheet Music

Uncle Nobby's Steamboat Lyrics And Chords

The sheet music is included. Brian Warfield The Wolfe Tones. The key I put the song here is D, That's because I sing it in that key. The lyrics without the chords are below. The song was also recorded by Celtic Fans ''The Green Brigade'' , Amadan.Uncle Nobby's Steamboat sheet music for beginners with the letter notes.

he sheet music / mandolin / tenor banjo tab for Uncle Nobby's Steamboat is in the ebook of mandolin tabs here . The tin whistle notes are in my other ebook of songs here

For Wolfe Tones’ version use capo on 1st fret

Intro: D-D-D-D-A-A-D-D-A-D

(D)Come for a trip on Uncle Nobby´s Steamboat
(A)where you can hide your worries on a high float
and (D)we´ll take a trip to leprachauns and shamrocks
and (A)hide our minds and (G)troubles for a (D)while

Chorus:
And we´re (C)going (G)where the (Am)grass is (G)growing (D)green
to a (C)mystic (G)land that (Am)no one (G)else has (D)seen
where (G)oblivion takes the (A)mind´s reali(D)ty
and re(G)ality fades in(A)to a memo(D)ry -D-D

Captain (D)Bluebeard gives a smile at the gangway side to meet you
The (A)first mate by his side with a workcard if he needs you
They´ll (D)take you to your berth, your cabin´s cool and cosy
Full (A)steam ahead we´re (G)ready for to (D)go

Chorus

Bring (D)on the dancing girls the show is now in motion
the (A)choo choo train is gone, it´s halfway through the mountains
the (D)fairies and the witch, the banshee´s drinking brandy
Uncle (A)Nobby at (G)last he´s in com(D)mand

Chorus

Now we´re (D)off to Tir na Nóg, the goddess of love is gráinne
Cu(A)chulainn can´t get in in his coat he has no fainne
The (D)leprachauns go by in a twinkling mystic vision
The (A)shamrock lies a-(G)mourning in the (D)grave

Chorus

Play one verse humming

Chorus

Repeat Intro

Play one verse humming

Play some D-chords fading

🎸 Strumming pattern (for verses & chorus)

🎶 Fingerpicking tab (for the first verse & chorus)

🎵 Key: D Major | Tempo: ~95–100 bpm (Bouncy Irish Folk Feel)
🎸 Strumming Pattern

Because the song has that playful “pub singalong” bounce, we’ll use two options — one for steady verses and one for lively chorus.

💠 Verse Pattern (gentle shuffle feel, 4/4)

↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
(Down – DownUp – UpDownUp)

Count:
1 2& &3&4&

Accent beats 1 and 3

Keep it flowing, slightly swung — think of a gentle river rhythm for “Steamboat” imagery

💠 Chorus Pattern (stronger jig-like strum)

↓ ↓↑ ↓↑ ↓↑
(Down – DownUp – DownUp – DownUp)

Count:
1 2& 3& 4&

Keep it bright and rolling

Let the chords ring; use light percussive mutes (chuck) between changes for bounce

🎶 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse + Chorus)

Style: Alternating bass pattern with thumb + fingers (Travis style)
Use:

Thumb (p) on bass (E, A, D strings)

Index (i) on G string

Middle (m) on B string

Ring (a) on high E

➤ Verse Fingerpicking Tab

(for “Come for a trip on Uncle Nobby’s Steamboat...”)

D A
e|---------2-------------------------0------------------------|
B|-----3-------3-----------------2-------2--------------------|
G|---2---2---2---2-------------2---2---2---2------------------|
D|-0---------------0---------2---------------2----------------|
A|---------------------------0---------------0----------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------|

D A G D
e|---------2-------------------------0-----------3-----------2---|
B|-----3-------3-----------------2-------2---0-------0---3-------|
G|---2---2---2---2-------------2---2---2---0---0---0---2---2---2-|
D|-0---------------0---------2---------------0-----------0-------|
A|---------------------------0-------------------------------0---|
E|------------------------------------------------------------3--|

You can loop this pattern throughout the verse for that calm, rolling effect — perfect under vocals.

➤ Chorus Fingerpicking Tab

(for “And we’re going where the grass is growing green...”)

C G Am G
e|---------0---------------3---------------0---------------3---------|
B|-----1-------1-------0-------0-------1-------1-------0-------0-----|
G|---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---2---2---2---2---0---0---0---0---|
D|-2---------------0---------------2---------------0-----------------|
A|-------3---------------2---------------0---------------2-----------|
E|---------------------------------------------------3---------------|

D C G D
e|---------2---------------0---------------3---------------2---------|
B|-----3-------3-------1-------1-------0-------0-------3-------3-----|
G|---2---2---2---2---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---2---2---2---2---|
D|-0---------------2---------------0---------------0-----------------|
A|-----------------------3---------------2---------------0-----------|
E|---------------------------------------------------2---------------|

This creates a soft, rippling accompaniment that matches the song’s riverboat imagery perfectly.
You can then transition into strumming for the second chorus for lift and energy.

💡 Performance Tip

Start the first verse fingerpicked, then move to strumming halfway through for dynamic buildup.

Tap your foot slightly to keep that rolling 4/4 pulse — it helps maintain that lilting Irish bounce.

Uncle Nobby's Steamboat Lyrics Only
Come for a trip on Uncle Nobby´s Steamboat
where you can hide your worries on a high float
and we´ll take a trip to leprachauns and shamrocks
and hide our minds and troubles for a while

chorus:
And we´re going where the grass is growing green
to a mystic land that no one else has seen
where oblivion takes the mind´s reality
and reality fades into a memory

Captain Bluebeard gives a smile
at the gangway side to meet you
the first mate by his side
with a workcard if he needs you
they´ll take you to your berth
your cabin´s cool and cosy
full steam ahead we´re ready for to go

Bring on the dancing girls the show is now in motion
the choo choo train is gone
it´s halfway through the mountains
the fairies and the witch, the banshee´s drinking brandy
Uncle Nobby at last he´s in command

We´re off to Tir na Nóg, the goddess of love is gráinne
cuchulainn can´t get in in his coat he has no fainne
the leprachauns go by in a twinkling mystic vision
the shamrock lies a-mourning in the grave .
Return to the Wolfe Tones Songs

Grace O'Malley - Gráinne Mhaol, Irish warrior.

Uncle Nobby's Steamboat sheet music for beginners

Irish Steamboat Tir Na Nog