When You Were Sweet Sixteen chords
The FureysSong Key: G Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 110 bpm
Guitar Tuning: Standard (E A D G B e)
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Chords: G, G/F#, A, Am, Bm, C, C/B, D, D7, D/C, D/B, Em
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When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key G G/F# Em C C/B Am D G D
Intro: 4/4 ‖: - | | - | | | % | | :‖
G G/F# Em C C/B Am
When first I saw the love-light in your | eyes | |
D D7 G D7
I thought the world held nought but joy for | me | |
G G/F# Em C C/B Am
And e-ven though we drif-ted far a-| part | |
A A7 D D/C D/B D
I nev-er dream, but what I dream of | thee - | - 𝄑 |
G G/F# Em C C/B Am
I love you as I nev-er loved be - | fore - | |
D D7 G D7
Since first I saw you on the vil-lage | green | |
G G/F# Em C C/B Am
Come to me e'er my dreams of love that are | o'er - | |
C G Em Bm
I love you as I loved you When you were sweet | |
Am D7 G
When you were sweet six-teen | % |
G G/F# Em C C/B Am D G D
Instr: ‖: - | | - | | | % | | :‖
G G/F# Em C C/B Am
I love you as I nev-er loved be - | fore - | |
D D7 G D7
Since first I saw you on the vil-lage | green | |
G G/F# Em C C/B Am
Come to me e'er my dreams of love that are | o'er - | |
C G Em Bm
I love you as I loved you When you were sweet | |
Am D7 G
When you were sweet six-teen | % |
G G/F# Em C C/B Am D G D
Outro: ‖: - | | - | | | % | | :‖...repeat to fade Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: G Major - 1 sharp (G#)
- Time Signature: 4/4
- Tempo: Moderato espressivo (moderately with expression)
- Metronome: ♩ = 110
- Voice Range: G3 - B4
- Chord Types in This Arrangement:
- Major: G, A, C, D
- Minor: Am, Bm, Em
- Dominant 7th: D7
- Slash chords: G/F#, C/B, D/C, D/B,
Slash Chords
- Slash Chords are suited to a fingerpicking style of playing. They are a normal chord with a specific bass note written after a slash.
Format: Chord/Bass- The part before the slash = the chord you play
- The part after the slash = the bass note you want underneath it — the leading note.
So: - G/F♯ = a G major chord with F♯ in the bass
- C/B = a C major chord with B in the bass
- D/C = a D chord with C in the bass
- D/B = a D chord with B in the bass
- Beginners Can Skip the Slash Chords
Slash chords like G/F♯, C/B, D/C, or D/B create lovely bass‑line movement, but they can be tricky when you’re just starting out. If you’re not ready for them yet, don’t worry—the song will still sound great.
Instead of playing the slash chords, you can simply play the main chords:- G/F♯ → G
- C/B → C
- D/C → D
- D/B → D
This keeps the progression easy and lets you focus on smooth chord changes and steady rhythm. As you get more confident, you can come back and learn the slash‑chord versions to add that extra colour and bass movement.
Song Details:
- Songwriter: James Thornton
- Date: 1898
- Lyrics Begin: When first I saw the love-light in your eye,
- Genre: Irish Folk Song
- Artists: The Fureys
- Single:
Released: 1981 (Ireland)
B-side: Big Ships A Sailing - Album: When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Released: 1982
Country: Ireland
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Label: Banshee Records - Other Albums: The Fureys Finest (1993), The Very Best of The Fureys & Davey Arthur (2001),
Other songs by The Fureys you may like:
| Song / Artist | Capo | Key | Core Chords |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallipoli | - | D | D, Em, Em7, G, A, A7, B7, Bm7 |
| Green Fields Of France | +3 | D | D, Em, G, A, A7, Bm |
| I Will Love You Ev'ry Time | - | D | D, Em F#m, G, A |
| Leaving Nancy | +3 | D | D, G, Em7, A, A7 |
| The Old Bog Road | +2 | D | D, Dsus2, Dsus4, Em, F#m, G, A, A7, Bm |
| Steal Away | +3 | D | D, Em, G, A, A7 |
