Galway Bay chords

... that dear land across the Irish sea

Song Key: C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 60 bpm


Standard Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner 🟢

Guitar Chords: C, D7, Dm7, G, G7, A7

Arrangement Song Details
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
C Major C7 D7 Dm7 G Major G7 A7
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
C Major-LH C7-LH D7-LH Dm7-LH G Major-LH G7-LH A7-LH
Speed: x0.1

Galway Bay

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
               C     A7     D7     G7     C
 Intro: 4/4 |     -      |      |      |     |
                                          (If you)

          C                           Dm7   G7
1. If you e-ver go a-cross the sea to Ire - land
        Dm7           G7               C
   Then may-be at the clos-ing of your day
            C       C7        A7              D7
   You will sit and watch the moon rise o-ver Clad-dagh
       G7             Dm7             C
   And see the sun go down on Gal-way Bay

           C                              Dm7   G7
2. Just to hear a-gain the rip-ple of the trout stream
       Dm7           G7              C
   The wo-men in the mea-dow mak-ing hay
           C      C7     A7               D7
   Just to sit be-side a turf fire in the cab-in
       G7                  Dm7                C
   And watch the bare-foot Gos-soons at their play

           C                                    Dm7   G7
3. For the breez-es blow-ing o'er the seas from Ire - land
       Dm7              G7               C 
   Are per-fumed by the heath-er as they blow
           C      C7     A7                D7
   And the wo-men in the up-lands dig-gin' pra-ties
           G7                 Dm7               C 
   Speak a lang-uage that the strang-ers do not know

           C                                     Dm7   G7
4. For the strang-ers came and tried to teach us their way
        Dm7                 G7             C
   They scorn'd us just for be-ing what we are
            C        C7      A7             D7
   But they might as well go chas-ing after moon-beams
      G7             Dm7            C
   Or light a pen-ny can-dle from a star

          C                                  Dm7  G7
5. And if there is going to be a life here - af - ter
       Dm7           G7                    C
   And some-how I am sure there's going to be
          C      C7     A7             D7
   I will ask my God to let me make my hea-ven
      G7               Dm7              C
   In that dear land a-cross the I-rish sea...

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: C Major - no sharps or flats
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: ♩ = 60
  • Voice Range: G3 - G4

If you are unfamiliar with the song there are a few videos you can watch:

  • Bing Crosby   Key of C Major - very easy chords, Beginners may want to play along with this version.
  • Celtic Woman   Key of E♭ Major ... an alternative version from the traditional one... very well done. Capo on 3 if playing with the video.

Song Details:

Galway Bay
Galway Bay
  • Songwriter: Arthur Colahan - Irish medical doctor, British Army officer and songwriter.
  • Date: 1947
  • Lyrics Begin: If you ever go across the sea to Ireland
  • Genre: Irish Folk Song
  • Notable Covers:
    Bing Crosby: His 1947 recording is arguably the most famous. It significantly popularized the song worldwide, particularly among the Irish Irish global community. His version became a huge hit, reaching high positions on the Billboard charts.
    Foster & Allen: A popular Irish singing duo, whose rendition is well regarded, particularly within Ireland.
    John Gary: A beautifully presented classic rendition of the song.
    Celtic Woman: Chloë Agnew's rendition of the song brought it to a contemporary audience.
    The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem: They created a humorous version of the song, adding their distinctive style.
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