Sam Hall chords
Paddy ReillySong Key: E Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 110 bpm
Guitar Tuning: Standard (E A D G B e)
Skill Level: Beginner
Guitar Chords in D Major: D, Dsus4, G, A, Asus4
Capo: 2nd fret (to play with the video in E Major)
Chord Charts & Performance Video
R-H Chord Charts
L-H Chord Charts
Performance Video
Sam Hall
Capo on 2 if playing with the video.Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Intro: 4/4
D G D A Asus4 A
1. Oh me name it is Sam Hall Chim-ney sweep Chim-ney sweep | |
D G D Dsus4 D
Oh me name it is Sam Hall Chim-ney sweep | |
G D A Asus4 A
Oh me name it is Sam Hall And I've robbed both great and small | |
D G D A Asus4 A
And my neck will pay for all When I die When I die | |
D G D Dsus4 D
And my neck will pay for all When I die | |
D G D A Asus4 A
2. I have twen-ty pounds in store That's not all That's not all | |
D G D Dsus4 D
I have twen-ty pounds in store That's not all | |
G D A Asus4 A
I have twen-ty pounds in store And I'll rob for twenty more | |
D G D A Asus4 A
For the rich must help the poor So must I So must I | |
D G D Dsus4 D
For the rich must help the poor So must I | |
D G D A Asus4 A
3. Up the lad-der I did grope That's no joke That's no joke | |
D G D Dsus4 D
Up the lad-der I did grope That's no joke | |
G D A Asus4 A
Up the lad-der I did grope And the hang-man pulled the rope | |
D G D A Asus4 A
I ne'eard a word I spoke Tumb-ling down Tumb-ling down | |
D G D Dsus4 D
I ne'eard a word I spoke Tumb-ling down | |
D G D A Asus4 A
4. Oh they brought me to Coote-hill In a cart In a cart | |
D G D Dsus4 D
Oh they brought me to Coote-hill In a cart | |
G D A Asus4 A
Oh they brought me to Coote-hill And I stopped to make my will | |
D G D A Asus4 A
Say the best of friends must part So must I So must I | |
D G D Dsus4 D
Say the best of friends must part So must I | |
D G D A Asus4 A
5. Oh me name it is Sam Hall Chim-ney sweep Chim-ney sweep | |
D G D Dsus4 D
Oh me name it is Sam Hall Chim-ney sweep | |
G D A Asus4 A
Oh me name it is Sam Hall And I've robbed both great and small | |
D G D A Asus4 A
And my neck will pay for all When I die When I die | |
D G D
And my neck will pay for all When I die... Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: E Major – 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)
- Piano / Original Chords Set: E, Esus4, A, B, Bsus4
- Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately
- Metronome: ♩ = 110
- Voice Range: B3 – C#5
- Chord Types in This Arrangement:
- Major: D, G, A
- Suspended 4th: Dsus4, Asus4
Playing Tips
Paddy adds an extra bar of music at the end of lines 1, 3 and 4 of each verse, which adds a nice touch.
Wherever you see | A Asus4 | or | D Dsus4 | towards the end of each line of the song, you play A for 3 beats, and Asus4 for 1 beat of the bar. The same applies for D and Dsus4.
🎶 Why a Capo Works Best for This Song
Paddy Reilly plays a clean, steady fingerpicking pattern throughout the song, and it’s important that every string rings clearly. Using a capo helps achieve that clarity.
🎶 Playing in the Original Key (E Major)
If you play in E Major without a capo, you’ll run into chords like B Major and Bsus4. These shapes often sound muffled or heavy, especially in a fingerpicking style where clarity is important.
Placing a capo on the 2nd fret lets you play the song using open D‑major shapes such as D, Dsus4, A, Asus4.
These chords:
- ring more clearly
- are easier to play
- suit fingerpicking beautifully
- match Paddy Reilly’s bright, open sound
It’s a much better alternative for beginners and intermediate players alike.
🎶 If You’re Not Playing With the Video
You don’t have to use a capo if you’re playing solo.
Choose any key that suits your voice, and use the Transposer to play the chords in your preferred key.
Song Details:
- Author: Unknown (Traditionali)
- Date: early 19th century
- Lyrics Begin: Oh me name it is Sam Hall, Chimney sweep, Chimney sweep
- Genre: Traditional folk song
- Featured Artists: Paddy Reilly
- Album: The Life Of Paddy Reilly
Released: 1971
Country: Ireland
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Label: Dolphin Records - Other Albums:
Paddy Reilly – Live: (1983 IE - Vinyl, LP - RTÉ Ltd)
Legends Of Irish Folk Trilogy: (2007 IE - 3 x CD, Compilation - Dolphin Records)
The Paddy Reilly Collection: (2007 IE - CD, Compilation, Promo - Voice Newspapers)
Paddy Reilly At The National Stadium Dublin: (2008 XE - CD - Entertain Me Ltd)
You may also like:
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|---|---|---|---|
| Bold Fenian Men, The - The Clancy Brothers | - | Am | Am, Em, C, G |
| Fields Of Athenry - Paddy Reilly | - | E | E, A, B7, C#m |
| Minstrel Boy, The - John McDermott | +3 | C | C, G, G7, Gsus4, Am, F, E7 |
| Mountains Of Pomeroy, The - Tommy Fleming | +1 | G | G, Am, C, D, Em |
| Only Our Rivers Run Free - Christy Moore | - | C | C, F, G, Am, Em |
| Patriot Game, The - The Wolfe Tones | +3 | G | G, C, D, Em |
