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When I Was On Horseback

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Steeleye Span
When I was on horseback
By Marcel Veltman
I am surprised to see nothing of this British Folk band on UG. In their days they were
mentioned next to Fairport Convention as the other band which dared to bring electrical
instruments into traditional folk. In fact, it was ex-Fairport member Ashley Hutchings
who was among the founding fathers. Lead singer Maddy Prior was considered by some to be
better then Sandy Denny. She could certaintainly raise more goose-flesh. Somewhere around
1975, with 'All around my Hat', they even brought a hitsingle up in the charts. Such a
feat was never accomplished by Fairport. 
Not intended to play along with the original record, but to allow the singer/guitarplayer
to do the song before his or her own audience. The chords in the first verse were those I
found right away, the second verse contains those I found while experimenting a bit. You
can do it either way, or change from one to the other through the song.
When AmI was on horseback, wGasn't I pretty
When AmI was on horseback, wCasn't I Amgay
Wasn't I pretty when I entered Cork Ccity
And met with my dGownfall on the fourteenth of Ammay
SAmix jolly soldiers to cGarry my coffin
SAmix jolly soldiers to mCarch by my Amside
It's six jolly soldiers take a bCunch of red Amroses
ACnd for to sGmell them as Emwe go alAmong
Beat the drum slowly and play the pipes only
Playing the deadmarch as we go along
And bring me to Tipperary and lay me down easy
I am a young soldier that've never done wrong
Instrumental break
Repeat first verse

All chords in this song (4)

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When I Was On Horseback

by Steeleye Span

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Steeleye Span

When I was on horseback

By Marcel Veltman

I am surprised to see nothing of this British Folk band on UG. In their days they were

mentioned next to Fairport Convention as the other band which dared to bring electrical

instruments into traditional folk. In fact, it was ex-Fairport member Ashley Hutchings

who was among the founding fathers. Lead singer Maddy Prior was considered by some to be

better then Sandy Denny. She could certaintainly raise more goose-flesh. Somewhere around

1975, with 'All around my Hat', they even brought a hitsingle up in the charts. Such a

feat was never accomplished by Fairport.

Not intended to play along with the original record, but to allow the singer/guitarplayer

to do the song before his or her own audience. The chords in the first verse were those I

found right away, the second verse contains those I found while experimenting a bit. You

can do it either way, or change from one to the other through the song.

Am G

When I was on horseback, wasn't I pretty

Am C Am

When I was on horseback, wasn't I gay

Wasn't I pretty when I entered Cork city

G Am

And met with my downfall on the fourteenth of may

Am G

Six jolly soldiers to carry my coffin

Am C Am

Six jolly soldiers to march by my side

C Am

It's six jolly soldiers take a bunch of red roses

C G Em Am

And for to smell them as we go along

Beat the drum slowly and play the pipes only

Playing the deadmarch as we go along

And bring me to Tipperary and lay me down easy

I am a young soldier that've never done wrong

Instrumental break

Repeat first verse

About When I Was On Horseback Chords by Steeleye Span

Learn how to play When I Was On Horseback by Steeleye Span with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When I Was On Horseback chords”, “When I Was On Horseback guitar chords”, or “Steeleye Span When I Was On Horseback chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy When I Was On Horseback chords and for experienced players who want accurate When I Was On Horseback lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, G, C, Em.

FAQ — When I Was On Horseback by Steeleye Span

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What key is "When I Was On Horseback" in?

The chords for "When I Was On Horseback" show the original chord names (including Am, G, C, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.