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The Herring Girl

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Dm C Dm C
Dm Bb F C
Bb C Bb
[Verse 1]
DmOh you who look down on me with thCat judgement in your eyes
While the Dmjury picks its fate for me I'd Chave you save your sighs
As a cFhild with no Dmfamily I was Fbegging in the Cstreet
When great Ffortune came and Cmade me a Bbherring girl
[Verse 2]
I Dmdon't come from there islands from CEngland I have grown
And Dmborn in Great Yarmouth that Cis my native home
In Fautumn when the Dmgirls all chased the Ffish down from the Cnorth 
How I Flonged that I would Cone day be a Bbherring girl
[Verse 3]
A Dmyoung girl down from Aberdeen took sCick into her bed
I Dmasked if there was work and down to CRona I was led
Oh she Fsmiled at the Dmheight of me and Fsaid that I would Cdo
And as a Fpacker I was Cjoined to be a Bbherring girl
[Verse 4]
The Dmseason started up in Scotland, CI'd just turned 16
And DmRona she's the greatest gutter SCtornoway has seen
At F80 fish a Dmminute, and with MFary not much Cless
We F3 were famed as the Cbest crew of Bbherring girls
[Instrumental]
Dm C Dm C
Dm Bb F C
Bb C Bb
[Verse 5]
DmLast Saturday was dancing day and Cthe boys were in the town
We were Dmpacking up and clean off and hCeading for our room
When a sFtranger crept beDmhind us in an Falley out the Cback
Out to Fcatch himself a Ccouple of fresh Bbherring girls
[Verse 6]
Oh so Dmsuddenly he's on us and he's Cknocked me to the ground
And Dmhe's pinned our Rona by the neck sCo she couldn't make a sound
But fFrom her apron Dmpocket fell a Fknife so keen and sCharp
I've taught that Fman the price of Cfishing for a Bbherring girl
[Verse 7]
Oh Dmyou who look down on me with that jCudgement in your eyes
While the Dmjury picks its fate for me I'd Chave you save your sighs
For I'd Fgladly do the sDmame again to Fany man that Ctries 
To Ftest his luck and take aCdvantage of a Bbherring girl
[Outro]
Dm C Dm C
Dm Bb F C
Bb C Bb
Bb C Bb

All chords in this song (4)

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The Herring Girl

by Bella Hardy

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

Dm C Dm C

Dm Bb F C

Bb C Bb

[Verse 1]

Dm C

Oh you who look down on me with that judgement in your eyes

Dm C

While the jury picks its fate for me I'd have you save your sighs

F Dm F C

As a child with no family I was begging in the street

F C Bb

When great fortune came and made me a herring girl

[Verse 2]

Dm C

I don't come from there islands from England I have grown

Dm C

And born in Great Yarmouth that is my native home

F Dm F C

In autumn when the girls all chased the fish down from the north

F C Bb

How I longed that I would one day be a herring girl

[Verse 3]

Dm C

A young girl down from Aberdeen took sick into her bed

Dm C

I asked if there was work and down to Rona I was led

F Dm F C

Oh she smiled at the height of me and said that I would do

F C Bb

And as a packer I was joined to be a herring girl

[Verse 4]

Dm C

The season started up in Scotland, I'd just turned 16

Dm C

And Rona she's the greatest gutter Stornoway has seen

F Dm F C

At 80 fish a minute, and with Mary not much less

F C Bb

We 3 were famed as the best crew of herring girls

[Instrumental]

Dm C Dm C

Dm Bb F C

Bb C Bb

[Verse 5]

Dm C

Last Saturday was dancing day and the boys were in the town

Dm C

We were packing up and clean off and heading for our room

F Dm F C

When a stranger crept behind us in an alley out the back

F C Bb

Out to catch himself a couple of fresh herring girls

[Verse 6]

Dm C

Oh so suddenly he's on us and he's knocked me to the ground

Dm C

And he's pinned our Rona by the neck so she couldn't make a sound

F Dm F C

But from her apron pocket fell a knife so keen and sharp

F C Bb

I've taught that man the price of fishing for a herring girl

[Verse 7]

Dm C

Oh you who look down on me with that judgement in your eyes

Dm C

While the jury picks its fate for me I'd have you save your sighs

F Dm F C

For I'd gladly do the same again to any man that tries

F C Bb

To test his luck and take advantage of a herring girl

[Outro]

Dm C Dm C

Dm Bb F C

Bb C Bb

About The Herring Girl Chords by Bella Hardy

Learn how to play The Herring Girl by Bella Hardy with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Herring Girl chords”, “The Herring Girl guitar chords”, or “Bella Hardy The Herring Girl 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 The Herring Girl chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Herring Girl lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, C, Bb, F, A.

FAQ — The Herring Girl by Bella Hardy

How do I play "The Herring Girl" by Bella Hardy on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Herring Girl" by Bella Hardy on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "The Herring Girl" by Bella Hardy free?

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Can I transpose "The Herring Girl" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Herring Girl" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Herring Girl"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Herring Girl" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Herring Girl" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Herring Girl" by Bella Hardy with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bella Hardy below.

What key is "The Herring Girl" in?

The chords for "The Herring Girl" show the original chord names (including Dm, C, Bb, F, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.