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Only Our Rivers Run Free

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Written by Michael McConnell
Recorded by Christy Moore, Wolf Tones & others
intro  C   Cor  C   G   C   C- theyre just suggestions
C G C C
F C G G
F F C C
G G Am Am
F F C C
 F   F   G    G(or  E   E7to replace  G  G)
F F C C
G G Am Am
Key of Am
6/8 time
Chords and a suggested picking pattern
320033  G643123
x22100  Am543123
x32010  C543123
xx3211  F432123
When Capples     still Ggrow    in NoCvember
When Fblossoms     still Cbloom    on each Gtree
When Fleaves    are still Fgreen    in DeCcember
It's Gthen    that our Gland    will be Amfree
I Fwander     her Fhills    and Cvalleys
    F                   F            G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)
And still    through my sorrow     I see
A Fland    that has Fnever     known Cfreedom
GOnly     her Grivers     run Amfree
I Cdrink    to the Gdeath    of her Cmanhood
Those Fmen   who would Crather   have Gdied
Than to Flive    in the Fcold    chains of Cbondage
To Gbring back their Grights     were Amdenied
FWhere    are you Fnow    when we Cneed you
     F                  F                G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)
What burns    where the flame    used to be
Are ye Fgone    like the Fsnows    of last Cwinter
Will Gonly     our Grivers     run Amfree
How Csweet     is Glife    but we're Ccrying
How Fmellow     the Cwine    but we're Gdry
How Ffragrant     the Frose    but it's Cdying
How Ggentle     the Gwind    but it Amsighs
What Fgood    is in Fyouth    when it's Cageing
     F            F                  G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)
What joy    is in eyes    that can't see
When there's Fsorrow     in Fsunshine     and Cflowers
    G            G              Am (passing bass notes of E & G before the Am worth a try)
And only     our rivers     run free

All chords in this song (6)

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Only Our Rivers Run Free

by Christy Moore

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Written by Michael McConnell

Recorded by Christy Moore, Wolf Tones & others

C C C G C C

intro or - theyre just suggestions

C G C C

F C G G

F F C C

G G Am Am

F F C C

F F G G E E7 G G

(or to replace )

F F C C

G G Am Am

Key of Am

6/8 time

Chords and a suggested picking pattern

320033 643123

x22100 543123

x32010 543123

xx3211 432123

C G C

When apples still grow in November

F C G

When blossoms still bloom on each tree

F F C

When leaves are still green in December

G G Am

It's then that our land will be free

F F C

I wander her hills and valleys

F F G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)

And still through my sorrow I see

F F C

A land that has never known freedom

G G Am

Only her rivers run free

C G C

I drink to the death of her manhood

F C G

Those men who would rather have died

F F C

Than to live in the cold chains of bondage

G G Am

To bring back their rights were denied

F F C

Where are you now when we need you

F F G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)

What burns where the flame used to be

F F C

Are ye gone like the snows of last winter

G G Am

Will only our rivers run free

C G C

How sweet is life but we're crying

F C G

How mellow the wine but we're dry

F F C

How fragrant the rose but it's dying

G G Am

How gentle the wind but it sighs

F F C

What good is in youth when it's ageing

F F G (or E and pull off to E7 after first strum)

What joy is in eyes that can't see

F F C

When there's sorrow in sunshine and flowers

G G Am (passing bass notes of E & G before the Am worth a try)

And only our rivers run free

About Only Our Rivers Run Free Chords by Christy Moore

Learn how to play Only Our Rivers Run Free by Christy Moore with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Only Our Rivers Run Free chords”, “Only Our Rivers Run Free guitar chords”, or “Christy Moore Only Our Rivers Run Free 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 Only Our Rivers Run Free chords and for experienced players who want accurate Only Our Rivers Run Free lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, F, Am, E, E7.

FAQ — Only Our Rivers Run Free by Christy Moore

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What key is "Only Our Rivers Run Free" in?

The chords for "Only Our Rivers Run Free" show the original chord names (including C, G, F, Am, E, E7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.