Now playing

Willy O Winsbury

Chords

4.841 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

The kFing has been a pCrisonGer,
And a prAmisoner lGong in SpFain,
And WiCllie oAmf the WEminsbury
Has lain lFong with his dauCghter at hFome.
"What aFils you, what ails you, my dauCghter JaGnet,
That you lAmook so pGale and wFan?
Oh, haCve you hAmad any soEmre sickness
Or yFet been slCeeping with a mFan?"
"No, I hFave not had any soCre sickGness,
Nor Amyet been slGeeping with a mFan.
But it Cis for Amyou, my fEmather dear,
For bidFing sCo long in SFpain."
"Cast oFff, cast off your bCerry-brown goGwn,
And stand nAmaked uGpon the stFone,
That CI may kAmnow you Emby your shape,
If yFou be a mCaiden or nFone."
And sFhe's cast off her beCrry-brown gGown
And stood nAmaked uGpon the stFone
Her aCpron was lAmow and her hauEmnches were round,
Her sFkin was pCale and wFan.
"Oh, wFas it with a lord or a dCuke or a kGnight,
Or a mAman of bGirth and fFame,
Or wCas it with Amone of my sEmerving men
Who's laFtely coCme out of SpFain?"
"No, it wFasn't with a lord or a duCke or a knGight,
Nor a mAman of biGrth and faFme,
But it Cwas with WAmillie of WEminsbury,
I could Fbide no loCnger aFlone."
Now the kFing has called on his mCerry men aGll,
By tAmhirty aGnd by tFhree,
Says, "FCetch me this AmWillie of EmWinsbury,
For hFanged hCe shall Fbe."
[- Instrumental verse -]
But whFen he came the kCing befGore,
He was cAmlad all iGn the red sFilk.
His hCair was lAmike the gEmolden strands,
His sFkin was as whCite as the mFilk.
And "It iFs no wonder," sCaid the kGing,
"That my daAmughter's loGve you did wFin.
For if CI were a Amwoman, as I Emam a man,
My bedFfellow yoCu would have Fbeen."
"Oh wFill you marry my daCughter JaGnet,
By the tAmruth of yGour right hFand?
Oh, wCill you mAmarry my dEmaughter Janet?
I'll maFke you the lCord of my laFnd."
"Oh yFes, I will marry your dauCghter JaGnet.
By the tAmruth of Gmy right hFand.
Why yCes, I will mAmarry your daEmughter Janet,
But I'll Fnot be the loCrd of your lFand."
And he's moFunted her on a miClk-white stGeed,
And hiAmmself on a daGpple gFrey.
He has mCade her the laAmdy of aEms much land
As she shall rFide on a waCrm summer's daFy.

All chords in this song (5)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Willy O Winsbury

by Pentangle

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F C G

The king has been a prisoner,

Am G F

And a prisoner long in Spain,

C Am Em

And Willie of the Winsbury

F C F

Has lain long with his daughter at home.

F C G

"What ails you, what ails you, my daughter Janet,

Am G F

That you look so pale and wan?

C Am Em

Oh, have you had any sore sickness

F C F

Or yet been sleeping with a man?"

F C G

"No, I have not had any sore sickness,

Am G F

Nor yet been sleeping with a man.

C Am Em

But it is for you, my father dear,

F C F

For biding so long in Spain."

F C G

"Cast off, cast off your berry-brown gown,

Am G F

And stand naked upon the stone,

C Am Em

That I may know you by your shape,

F C F

If you be a maiden or none."

F C G

And she's cast off her berry-brown gown

Am G F

And stood naked upon the stone

C Am Em

Her apron was low and her haunches were round,

F C F

Her skin was pale and wan.

F C G

"Oh, was it with a lord or a duke or a knight,

Am G F

Or a man of birth and fame,

C Am Em

Or was it with one of my serving men

F C F

Who's lately come out of Spain?"

F C G

"No, it wasn't with a lord or a duke or a knight,

Am G F

Nor a man of birth and fame,

C Am Em

But it was with Willie of Winsbury,

F C F

I could bide no longer alone."

F C G

Now the king has called on his merry men all,

Am G F

By thirty and by three,

C Am Em

Says, "Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury,

F C F

For hanged he shall be."

[- Instrumental verse -]

F C G

But when he came the king before,

Am G F

He was clad all in the red silk.

C Am Em

His hair was like the golden strands,

F C F

His skin was as white as the milk.

F C G

And "It is no wonder," said the king,

Am G F

"That my daughter's love you did win.

C Am Em

For if I were a woman, as I am a man,

F C F

My bedfellow you would have been."

F C G

"Oh will you marry my daughter Janet,

Am G F

By the truth of your right hand?

C Am Em

Oh, will you marry my daughter Janet?

F C F

I'll make you the lord of my land."

F C G

"Oh yes, I will marry your daughter Janet.

Am G F

By the truth of my right hand.

C Am Em

Why yes, I will marry your daughter Janet,

F C F

But I'll not be the lord of your land."

F C G

And he's mounted her on a milk-white steed,

Am G F

And himself on a dapple grey.

C Am Em

He has made her the lady of as much land

F C F

As she shall ride on a warm summer's day.

About Willy O Winsbury Chords by Pentangle

Learn how to play Willy O Winsbury by Pentangle with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Willy O Winsbury chords”, “Willy O Winsbury guitar chords”, or “Pentangle Willy O Winsbury 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 Willy O Winsbury chords and for experienced players who want accurate Willy O Winsbury lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, C, G, Am, Em.

FAQ — Willy O Winsbury by Pentangle

How do I play "Willy O Winsbury" by Pentangle on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Willy O Winsbury" by Pentangle 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 "Willy O Winsbury" by Pentangle free?

Yes. The chords for "Willy O Winsbury" by Pentangle are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Willy O Winsbury" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Willy O Winsbury"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Willy O Winsbury" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Willy O Winsbury" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Willy O Winsbury" by Pentangle with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Pentangle below.

What key is "Willy O Winsbury" in?

The chords for "Willy O Winsbury" show the original chord names (including F, C, G, Am, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.