The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond chords

by Ella Roberts

Loch Lomond is a popular traditional Scottish song first published in 1841 in Vocal Melodies of Scotland.
An Irish variation of the song - Red Is the Rose is sung with the same melody but different lyrics.
Ella Roberts was born in Australia with Celtic heritage. She followed her Irish & Scottish ancestry back to the Highlands and Isles and found her passion for Celtic music and song.
Music: Key of E Major in 2/2 time at approx. 68 bpm (♩)
Chords: E, F#m, G#m, A, B7, C#m
Beginners: The key of C Major is much easier. Simply press the 'C' button on the Transposer, and place a capo on 4 if playing with the video.

Chart Legend

Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open X: Don't play string B: Bass Note

The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key

                                    E
Intro: 2/2 Bagpipes/Cello/Guitar |     |  𝄎  |  𝄎  |  𝄎  |

      E                        F#m
1. By yon bon-nie banks and by yon bon-nie braes
             E                         A    B7
   Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lo - mon'
         C#m       E              F#m           A
   Where me and my true love will ne-ver meet a-gain
          E        G#m     A             B7   E
   On the bon-nie, bon-nie banks o' Loch Lo - mon' |  𝄎  |

          E                             A             E
Chorus: O you'll take the high road and I'll take the low
            E                      A    B7
        And I'll be in Scot-land a-fore ye
            A         C#m            A             F#m
        For me and my true love will ne-ver meet a-gain |  𝄎  |
               E        G#m     A             B7   E
        On the bon-nie, bon-nie banks o' Loch Lo - mon' |  𝄎  |
      
        E                        A          E 
2.'Twas there that we par-ted in yon sha-dy glen 
          E                        A    B7
   On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lo - mon'
         C#m            E       F#m               A
   Where in the pur-ple hue the Hie-land hills we view
           E     G#m    A   E      B7     E
   And the moon com-in' out in the gloa - min' |  𝄎  |

          E                             A             E
Chorus: O you'll take the high road and I'll take the low 
            E                      A    B7
        And I'll be in Scot-land a-fore ye
            A         C#m            A             F#m
        For me and my true love will ne-ver meet a-gain |  𝄎  |
               E        G#m     A             B7    E  
        On the bon-nie, bon-nie banks o' Loch Lo - (mon')

          E           A     E                  A     B7
Instr: | (mon)|  𝄎  |     |     |  𝄎  |  𝄎  |     |      | 

          A    C#m    A     F#m          E     A     B7     E
       |     |     |      |     |  𝄎  |     |     |      |     |  𝄎  | 

       E                         A
3. The wee bir-dies sing and the wild flo-w'rs spring
          E                         A     B7
   And in sun-shine the wa-ters are sleep-ing
           C#m              E        F#m              A
   But the bro-ken heart it kens nae se-cond spring a-gain
            E   G#m     A     E          B7   A
   Tho' the wae-fu' may cease frae their gree-ting |  𝄎  |


          E                            A             E
Chorus: O ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low 
            E                      A    B7
        An' I'll be in Scot-land a-fore ye
            A         C#m            A             F#m
        For me and my true love will ne-ver meet a-gain |  𝄎  |
               E        G#m     A             B7   E  
        On the bon-nie, bon-nie banks o' Loch Lo - mon'...

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