The Fields Of Athenry chords
by Paddy Reilly
- The Fields Of Athenry was written by Pete St. John in the 1970's.
- This version by Paddy Reilly is featured on the album of the same name.
- Music: Key of E major in 4/4 time at 114 bpm (♩)
- Song Chords: B7, E, A, C#m
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
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open X: Don't play string B: Bass Note










Fields Of Athenry
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other keyB7 E A E Intro: 4/4 ‖ | 𝄎 | - | ‖ E A E B7 1. By a lone-ly pris-on wall I heard a young girl call-ing | 𝄎 | E A B7 Mich-eal they have tak-en you a-way | 𝄎 | E A E B7 For you stole Trev-el-yn's corn So the young might see the morn E A E Now a pris-on ship lies wait-ing in the | bay - | | E A E C#m Chorus: Low lie the Fields of Ath-en-ry E C#m B7 Where once we watched the small free birds fly E A E B7 Our love was on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing E A E It's so lone-ly 'round the Fields of Ath-en-|ry - | | E A E B7 2. By a lone-ly pris-on wall I heard a young man call - in’ | 𝄎 | E A B7 Noth-ing mat-ters Mar-y when you're free | 𝄎 | E A E B7 A-gainst the Fam-ine and the Crown I re-belled they caught me down E A E Now you must raise our child with dig-ni-|ty - | | E A E C#m Chorus: Low lie the Fields of Ath-en-ry E C#m B7 Where once we watched the small free birds fly E A E B7 Our love was on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing E A E It's so lone-ly 'round the Fields of Ath-en-|ry - | | E A E C#m E C#m B7 Instrumental: ‖ | | | | | | | 𝄎 ‖ E A E B7 E A E ‖ | | | | 𝄎 | 𝄎 | - | ‖ E A E B7 3. By a lone-ly har-bour wall She watched the last star fall-in’ | 𝄎 | E A B7 As the pris-on ship sailed out a-gainst the sky | 𝄎 | E A E B7 For she'll lived in hope and pray For her love in Bot-a-ny Bay E A E It's so lone-ly 'round the Fields of Ath-en-|ry - | | E A E C#m Chorus: Low lie the Fields of Ath-en-ry E C#m B7 Where once we watched the small free birds fly E A E B7 Our love was on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing E A E It's so lone-ly 'round the Fields of Ath-en-|ry - | | B7 A E Outro: ‖ | 𝄎 | | ‖
Notes:
- Level Of Ease: Easy. You will need to play 1 barre chord, C#m... it's a fairly easy one.
- If you haven't learned barre chords yet, try the alternative C#m chord (alt). I have included it especially for beginners, however you must avoid the 2 bottom strings - numbers 5 & 6 - the lowest sounding fat strings. It doesn't sound as full as the barre chord as you are not leading with the root note of C# as your bass note. However, it will get you out of trouble until you learn some barre chords.
- When reading the charts, take note of the fret numbers, as you often assume that all the charts are from frets 1 - 3, however C#m starts on the 4th fret, and finishes on the 6th fret.
- B7 is probably the hardest amongst the list of basic guitar chords, but persevere with it because with time it becomes a very easy and natural chord to play... it will become one of your favorites.
- Song Key: E major - 4 sharps (F# C# G# D#)
- 4/4 time - 4 quarter-note beats per bar. The count is | 1 2 3 4 | or | 1& 2& 3& 4& | etc.
- The song is very straight-forward. It is one of Ireland's favorites, and after playing it a few times, you'll know why.