Wandering Aengus Lyrics and chords
Christy Moore recorded this folk song, Written By William Butler Yeats who also wrote the folk song Down By The Sally Gardens .also recorded by Donavan. Back to my list of Christy Moore songs .The Song of the Wandering Aengus sheet music in G Major is now included plus the guitar tab, fingerstyle..
[G]I WENT out to the hazel wood,
[Am]Because a[C] fire was [D]in my [G]head,
And cut and[Em] peeled a [G]hazel wand,
And [Am]hooked a [C]berry to a [D]thread;
And[D7] when white moths were on the [D]wing,
And [G]moth-like [Em]stars were [G]flickering out,
I [Am]dropped the[C] berry in a [D]stream
And[D] caught a little silver[G] trout.
When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire aflame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And some one called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lads and hilly lands.
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun
Alternative chords in D Major key
[D]I WENT out to the hazel wood,
[Em]Because a[G] fire was [A]in my [D]head,
And cut and[Bm] peeled a [D]hazel wand,
And [Em]hooked a [G]berry to a [A]thread;
And[A7] when white moths were on the [A]wing,
And [D]moth-like [Bm]stars were [D]flickering out,
I [Em]dropped the[G] berry in a [A]stream
And[A] caught a little silver[D] trout.
Key of C
[C]I WENT out to the hazel wood,
[Dm]Because a[F] fire was [G]in my [C]head,
And cut and[Am] peeled a [C]hazel wand,
And [Dm]hooked a [F]berry to a [G]thread;
And[G7] when white moths were on the [G]wing,
And [C]moth-like [Am]stars were [C]flickering out,
I [Dm]dropped the[F] berry in a [G]stream
And[G] caught a little silver[C] trout.
[D]I WENT out to the hazel wood,
[Em]Because a[G] fire was [A]in my [D]head,
And cut and[Bm] peeled a [D]hazel wand,
And [Em]hooked a [G]berry to a [A]thread;
And[A7] when white moths were on the [A]wing,
And [D]moth-like [Bm]stars were [D]flickering out,
I [Em]dropped the[G] berry in a [A]stream
And[A] caught a little silver[D] trout.
Key of C
[C]I WENT out to the hazel wood,
[Dm]Because a[F] fire was [G]in my [C]head,
And cut and[Am] peeled a [C]hazel wand,
And [Dm]hooked a [F]berry to a [G]thread;
And[G7] when white moths were on the [G]wing,
And [C]moth-like [Am]stars were [C]flickering out,
I [Dm]dropped the[F] berry in a [G]stream
And[G] caught a little silver[C] trout.
The song 'Wandering Aengus' is a beautiful and haunting musical adaptation of the poem of the same name by Irish poet William Butler Yeats. Written in 1899 and published in 1899, the poem tells the story of Aengus, a mythological figure from Irish folklore, who is searching for his lost love. The song, composed by Irish folk musician and singer Christy Moore, was released in 1983 and has since become a beloved and iconic representation of Irish culture and storytelling.
At its core, 'Wandering Aengus' is a song about love, loss, and longing. The poem and the song are both based on the ancient Irish legend of Aengus, a god of love and youth who was known for his wanderings and his search for his true love. In the poem, Aengus is described as a 'young and foolish dreamer' who sets out on a quest to find a beautiful woman he saw in his dreams. He wanders through the countryside, searching for his elusive love, until he finally finds her in the form of a swan. The song captures the melancholic and romantic essence of the poem, with its haunting melody and poetic lyrics.
One of the most striking aspects of 'Wandering Aengus' is its connection to Irish mythology and folklore. Yeats was deeply influenced by Irish mythology and often incorporated it into his poetry. In this poem, he draws upon the legend of Aengus, a figure who symbolizes the eternal search for love and the human desire for connection and belonging. By setting the story in the Irish countryside and incorporating elements of Irish folklore, Yeats creates a powerful sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler, more magical time.
In the song, Moore's emotive and soulful vocals add depth and emotion to Yeats' words, making the story of Aengus even more poignant. The haunting melody, composed by Moore himself, perfectly captures the wistful and melancholic tone of the poem. The combination of Yeats' lyrical prowess and Moore's musical talent creates a powerful and evocative piece of art that has stood the test of time.
Moreover, 'Wandering Aengus' is more than just a song or a poem – it is a representation of Irish identity and culture. The story of Aengus, and the themes of love, loss, and longing that it explores, are deeply ingrained in Irish culture and have been passed down through generations. The song has become a beloved and iconic representation of Irish storytelling, capturing the essence of Irishness and connecting people to their roots.
The enduring popularity of 'Wandering Aengus' is a testament to its timelessness and universal appeal. The song has been covered by numerous artists and has been performed in various settings, from small pubs to large concert halls. Its haunting melody and lyrics continue to resonate with listeners, transcending time and cultural barriers.
In conclusion, 'Wandering Aengus' is a remarkable and enduring piece of art that combines the talents of two iconic Irish figures – William Butler Yeats and Christy Moore. Through its exploration of love, loss, and longing, the song captures the essence of Irish culture and storytelling, making it a beloved and iconic representation of Irish identity. Its timeless appeal and universal themes have solidified its place as a classic in the world of music and literature.
At its core, 'Wandering Aengus' is a song about love, loss, and longing. The poem and the song are both based on the ancient Irish legend of Aengus, a god of love and youth who was known for his wanderings and his search for his true love. In the poem, Aengus is described as a 'young and foolish dreamer' who sets out on a quest to find a beautiful woman he saw in his dreams. He wanders through the countryside, searching for his elusive love, until he finally finds her in the form of a swan. The song captures the melancholic and romantic essence of the poem, with its haunting melody and poetic lyrics.
One of the most striking aspects of 'Wandering Aengus' is its connection to Irish mythology and folklore. Yeats was deeply influenced by Irish mythology and often incorporated it into his poetry. In this poem, he draws upon the legend of Aengus, a figure who symbolizes the eternal search for love and the human desire for connection and belonging. By setting the story in the Irish countryside and incorporating elements of Irish folklore, Yeats creates a powerful sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler, more magical time.
In the song, Moore's emotive and soulful vocals add depth and emotion to Yeats' words, making the story of Aengus even more poignant. The haunting melody, composed by Moore himself, perfectly captures the wistful and melancholic tone of the poem. The combination of Yeats' lyrical prowess and Moore's musical talent creates a powerful and evocative piece of art that has stood the test of time.
Moreover, 'Wandering Aengus' is more than just a song or a poem – it is a representation of Irish identity and culture. The story of Aengus, and the themes of love, loss, and longing that it explores, are deeply ingrained in Irish culture and have been passed down through generations. The song has become a beloved and iconic representation of Irish storytelling, capturing the essence of Irishness and connecting people to their roots.
The enduring popularity of 'Wandering Aengus' is a testament to its timelessness and universal appeal. The song has been covered by numerous artists and has been performed in various settings, from small pubs to large concert halls. Its haunting melody and lyrics continue to resonate with listeners, transcending time and cultural barriers.
In conclusion, 'Wandering Aengus' is a remarkable and enduring piece of art that combines the talents of two iconic Irish figures – William Butler Yeats and Christy Moore. Through its exploration of love, loss, and longing, the song captures the essence of Irish culture and storytelling, making it a beloved and iconic representation of Irish identity. Its timeless appeal and universal themes have solidified its place as a classic in the world of music and literature.