You're Not Irish Robbie O'Connell Lyrics And Chords
When (G)first I came to the (C)USA with (G)my gui(D)tar in (C)hand
I was (D)told that I could (C)get a job singing (D)songs from Ireland
So I (G)headed up to Boston, I was sure to (D)be al(C)right
When the (D)very first night I (G)got on the stage I was (D)in for a big surprise
They said (G)you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
To tell the truth I got quite a shock and I didn’t know what to say
So I sang a song in Gaelic, I thought that might win the day
But they looked at me suspiciously and I didn’t know what was wrong
When all of a sudden they startet to shout ‚Now sing a real Irish song!’
Oh, you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know Danny Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or even Irish’ Eyes.
You get the hell have a nerve to say you came from Ireland
So cut up all the nonsense and sing McNamara’s Band.
Well the next day I was on my way, for Chicago I was bound
I was ready to give it another try and not let it get me down.
On the stage they looked quite friendly, but I’d hardly sung one word
When a voice called out from the back of the room and what do you think I heard?
You’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know Danny Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or even Irish’ Eyes [ lyrics ].
You get the hell have a nerve to say you came from Ireland
So cut up all the nonsense and sing McNamara’s Band [ song lyrics ].
Well I’ve traveled around the country but it’s always been the same
From LA to Philadelphia and from Washington to Maine.
And sometimes now I wander if it’s a secret society
And it doesn’t matter wherever I go they’ll be waiting there form me
Saying you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know Danny Boy [song lyrics]
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or even Irish’ Eyes.
You get the hell have a nerve to say you came from Ireland
So cut up all the nonsense and sing McNamara’s Band.
I was (D)told that I could (C)get a job singing (D)songs from Ireland
So I (G)headed up to Boston, I was sure to (D)be al(C)right
When the (D)very first night I (G)got on the stage I was (D)in for a big surprise
They said (G)you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
To tell the truth I got quite a shock and I didn’t know what to say
So I sang a song in Gaelic, I thought that might win the day
But they looked at me suspiciously and I didn’t know what was wrong
When all of a sudden they startet to shout ‚Now sing a real Irish song!’
Oh, you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know Danny Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or even Irish’ Eyes.
You get the hell have a nerve to say you came from Ireland
So cut up all the nonsense and sing McNamara’s Band.
Well the next day I was on my way, for Chicago I was bound
I was ready to give it another try and not let it get me down.
On the stage they looked quite friendly, but I’d hardly sung one word
When a voice called out from the back of the room and what do you think I heard?
You’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know Danny Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or even Irish’ Eyes [ lyrics ].
You get the hell have a nerve to say you came from Ireland
So cut up all the nonsense and sing McNamara’s Band [ song lyrics ].
Well I’ve traveled around the country but it’s always been the same
From LA to Philadelphia and from Washington to Maine.
And sometimes now I wander if it’s a secret society
And it doesn’t matter wherever I go they’ll be waiting there form me
Saying you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know Danny Boy [song lyrics]
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or even Irish’ Eyes.
You get the hell have a nerve to say you came from Ireland
So cut up all the nonsense and sing McNamara’s Band.
Robbie O'Connell's "You're Not Irish" is a humorous commentary on stereotypes in Irish-American culture.
Here are the chords placed over all the verses and the chorus, along with a suggested strumming pattern.
---
## 🎶 Chords for "You're Not Irish"
The chord structure is consistent throughout the song, following a simple **G, C, and D** pattern, common in folk music.
### **Verse 1**
When (G)first I came to the (C)USA with (G)my gui(D)tar in (C)hand
I was (D)told that I could (C)get a job singing (D)songs from Ireland
So I (G)headed up to Boston, I was sure to (D)be al(C)right
When the (D)very first night I (G)got on the stage I was (D)in for a big surprise
### **Chorus**
They said (G)you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
### **Verse 2**
To tell the (G)truth I got quite a (C)shock and I (G)didn’t know (D)what to (C)say
So I (D)sang a song in (C)Gaelic, I (D)thought that might win the day
But they (G)looked at me suspiciously and I (D)didn’t know (C)what was wrong
When all of a (D)sudden they star(G)ted to shout ‚Now (D)sing a real Irish song!’
### **Chorus**
Oh, you’re (G)not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
### **Verse 3**
Well the (G)next day I was on my (C)way, for Chi(G)cago (D)I was (C)bound
I was (D)ready to give it a(C)nother try and (D)not let it get me down.
On the (G)stage they looked quite friendly, but I’d (D)hardly sung (C)one word
When a (D)voice called out from the (G)back of the room and (D)what do you think I heard?
### **Chorus**
You’re (G)not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
### **Verse 4**
Well I’ve (G)traveled around the (C)country but it’s (G)always (D)been the (C)same
From (D)LA to Phi(C)ladelphia and from (D)Washington to Maine.
And (G)sometimes now I wander if it’s a (D)secret so(C)ciety
And it (D)doesn’t matter wherever I (G)go they’ll be (D)waiting there for me
### **Chorus**
Saying (G)you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
---
## 🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern
This song works well with a lively, yet basic, **folk/jig feel**. Try this pattern for a good starting point:
### **Basic Strum Pattern**
* **Pattern:** **Down - Down - Up - Up - Down - Up**
* **Counting:** **1** & **2** & ****3** & **4** &
> *Play this pattern once for each measure (or chord change). When a chord is held for two measures (like the **G** at the beginning of the chorus), repeat the pattern.*
### **Variation for a Livelier Feel**
To add a bit more "oomph" and rhythm, you can emphasize beats 2 and 4, which is common in many folk songs:
* **Pattern:** **D** $\downarrow$ **D** $\uparrow$ **U** $\uparrow$ **D** $\uparrow$
* **Emphasis:** **Down** (beat 1) - **Down-Up** (beat 2) - **Up** (beat 3) - **Down-Up** (beat 4)
* *Note: In this pattern, the "Down-Up" on beat 2 and 4 gives it a slight shuffle or swing.*
Practicing a slow, steady rhythm first will help you speed up to the pace of the original recording!
Would you like me to provide the **chord shapes** for G, C, and D, or perhaps find a **tutorial video** of the song?
Here are the chords placed over all the verses and the chorus, along with a suggested strumming pattern.
---
## 🎶 Chords for "You're Not Irish"
The chord structure is consistent throughout the song, following a simple **G, C, and D** pattern, common in folk music.
### **Verse 1**
When (G)first I came to the (C)USA with (G)my gui(D)tar in (C)hand
I was (D)told that I could (C)get a job singing (D)songs from Ireland
So I (G)headed up to Boston, I was sure to (D)be al(C)right
When the (D)very first night I (G)got on the stage I was (D)in for a big surprise
### **Chorus**
They said (G)you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
### **Verse 2**
To tell the (G)truth I got quite a (C)shock and I (G)didn’t know (D)what to (C)say
So I (D)sang a song in (C)Gaelic, I (D)thought that might win the day
But they (G)looked at me suspiciously and I (D)didn’t know (C)what was wrong
When all of a (D)sudden they star(G)ted to shout ‚Now (D)sing a real Irish song!’
### **Chorus**
Oh, you’re (G)not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
### **Verse 3**
Well the (G)next day I was on my (C)way, for Chi(G)cago (D)I was (C)bound
I was (D)ready to give it a(C)nother try and (D)not let it get me down.
On the (G)stage they looked quite friendly, but I’d (D)hardly sung (C)one word
When a (D)voice called out from the (G)back of the room and (D)what do you think I heard?
### **Chorus**
You’re (G)not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
### **Verse 4**
Well I’ve (G)traveled around the (C)country but it’s (G)always (D)been the (C)same
From (D)LA to Phi(C)ladelphia and from (D)Washington to Maine.
And (G)sometimes now I wander if it’s a (D)secret so(C)ciety
And it (D)doesn’t matter wherever I (G)go they’ll be (D)waiting there for me
### **Chorus**
Saying (G)you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (D)Danny (G)Boy
Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (D)even Irish’ Eyes.
You (C)get the hell have a (G)nerve to say you (D)came from Ire(G)land
So cut up all the (C)nonsense and sing McNa(D)mara’s (G)Band.
---
## 🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern
This song works well with a lively, yet basic, **folk/jig feel**. Try this pattern for a good starting point:
### **Basic Strum Pattern**
* **Pattern:** **Down - Down - Up - Up - Down - Up**
* **Counting:** **1** & **2** & ****3** & **4** &
> *Play this pattern once for each measure (or chord change). When a chord is held for two measures (like the **G** at the beginning of the chorus), repeat the pattern.*
### **Variation for a Livelier Feel**
To add a bit more "oomph" and rhythm, you can emphasize beats 2 and 4, which is common in many folk songs:
* **Pattern:** **D** $\downarrow$ **D** $\uparrow$ **U** $\uparrow$ **D** $\uparrow$
* **Emphasis:** **Down** (beat 1) - **Down-Up** (beat 2) - **Up** (beat 3) - **Down-Up** (beat 4)
* *Note: In this pattern, the "Down-Up" on beat 2 and 4 gives it a slight shuffle or swing.*
Practicing a slow, steady rhythm first will help you speed up to the pace of the original recording!
Would you like me to provide the **chord shapes** for G, C, and D, or perhaps find a **tutorial video** of the song?
Here are the chords in the key of D
When (D)first I came to the (G)USA with (D)my gui(A)tar in (G)hand I was (A)told that I could (G)get a job singing (A)songs from Ireland So I (D)headed up to Boston, I was sure to (A)be al(G)right When the (A)very first night I (D)got on the stage I was (A)in for a big surprise
They said (D)you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (A)Danny (D)Boy Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (A)even Irish’ Eyes. You (G)get the hell have a (D)nerve to say you (A)came from Ire(D)land So cut up all the (G)nonsense and sing McNa(A)mara’s (D)Band
When (D)first I came to the (G)USA with (D)my gui(A)tar in (G)hand I was (A)told that I could (G)get a job singing (A)songs from Ireland So I (D)headed up to Boston, I was sure to (A)be al(G)right When the (A)very first night I (D)got on the stage I was (A)in for a big surprise
They said (D)you’re not Irish - you can’t be Irish – you don’t know (A)Danny (D)Boy Or Toora-Loora-Loora or (A)even Irish’ Eyes. You (G)get the hell have a (D)nerve to say you (A)came from Ire(D)land So cut up all the (G)nonsense and sing McNa(A)mara’s (D)Band
