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Posted By: WienSam Garry Owen - chords and lyrics - 10/18/10 01:34 PM
Does anybody happen to have the guitar chords (standard tuning) and lyrics for the old Irish song 'Garry Owen'? I don't mind which version as I have the lyrics for the original but I desperately need a cover sheet to tell me which chords to play on which lyrics.

The original was taken into battle by an ancestor of mine in the Crimea, he was from Limerick. Of course, this song was later adopted by General Custer and the US 7th Cavalry so I know some of the Americans will definitely know it.

Preferably in the key of G but I can transpose with no trouble.

Many thanks - it is for an Irish Christmas Folk Festival I have been booked for
Posted By: Wyndham Re: Garry Owen - chords and lyrics - 10/18/10 02:12 PM
Sam, don't know if this is what you want but here's a link.

http://www.azchords.com/w/wolfetones-tabs-8583/seansouthofgarryowen-tabs-118490.html

Wyndham
Posted By: WienSam Re: Garry Owen - chords and lyrics - 10/18/10 11:35 PM
Thanks Wyndham but that is the wrong one. The version I am after is the traditional Irish tune, later adopted by the US 7th Cavalry. I have worked something out for the verse, though I am sure the chorus is a little different, but I am not sure if this is correct:

GARRY OWEN

G.........................Em
Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed
.....G.......................D7
But join with me, each jovial blade
.........G.......................Em
Come, drink and sing and lend your aid
....G.....................D7......G
To help me with the chorus:

CHORUS: Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.

We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run
We are the boys no man dares dun
If he regards a whole skin.

Our hearts so stout have got us fame
For soon 'tis known from whence we came
Where'er we go they fear the name
Of Garryowen in glory.

Added later:

We can dare or we can do
United men and brothers too
Their gallant footsteps to pursue
And change our nation's story.

And when the mighty day comes round
We still shall hear their voices sound
Our clans shall roar along the ground
For Garryowen in glory.

We'll emulate their high renown
To strike our false oppressor down
And stir the old triumphant sound
Of Garryowen in glory.

Here's Hollywood's version of how Custer adopted it: Garry Owen & the US 7th Cavalry
Posted By: John Conley Re: Garry Owen - chords and lyrics - 10/19/10 01:55 AM
That song has been included in the Folksong folder that has been distributed many times over the years with Band in a Box. The folder is called Folksong and resides in the BB directory. It's in the key of G with the same words as you listed. It's found in the subdirectory C:\BB\Folksong\Irish\033 (Gary Owen).
Posted By: John Conley Re: Garry Owen - chords and lyrics - 10/19/10 02:07 AM
Oh, and there is a style called 128Drum that PG created to go with the piece, included in the Folksong Folder. You might ask them if they could send you a folder. There is a British sub-folder too. I suspect the Irishman turned Canuck might have helped in the development of the style(s), especially the styles in the Irish folder.
Posted By: WienSam Re: Garry Owen - chords and lyrics - 10/19/10 03:41 AM
Wow! JC! Thanks
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