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Mick Ryans Lament

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Cmajor

90BPM

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[Verse]
CWell my name is Mic Ryan, I’m lyin’ here still 
CIn a lonely spot near where GI was killed
By a Cred man defending his native land, 
In the Cplace that they Gcall the Little Big CHorn
And I Cswear I did not see the irony 
when I Crode with the Seventh GCalvary
I Cthought that we fought for the land of the free 
when we rode from Fort LinGcoln that morCning
[Chorus]
CAnd the band they played the Garryowen, 
FBrass was shining, flags a flowin’
I Cswear if EmI had Amonly kCnown 
I’d have Cwished that I’d Gdied back in VicCksburg
[Verse]
For my Cbrother and me, we had barely escaped, 
from the CHell that was Ireland in G‘48
Two Cangry young lads who had learned how to hate 
But we loved the Gidea of AmeriCkay
And we Ccursed our cousins who fought and bled 
in their bloody coats of Gbloody red
The Csun never sets on the bloody dead 
of those who have Gchosen an empCire
[Chorus]
But we’d Cfind a better life somehow 
in the Fland where no man has to bow
It Cseemed right Emthen and it Amseems right Cnow 
that CPaddy he dGied for the Cunion
[Verse]
Ah, but CMichael he somehow got turned around 
He had Cstolen the dream that he Gthought he’d found.
Now I Cnever will see that holy ground 
For I Cturned into sGomething I haCted
[Chorus]
And I’m Chaunted by the Garryowen, 
FDrums a beatin, bugles blowin’ 
I Cswear if EmI had Amonly Cknown, 
I’d Clie with my Gbrother in VickCsburg
And the Cband they played the Garryowen, 
FBrass was shinin’ flags a flowin’
I Cswear if EmI had Amonly kCnown, 
I’d Clie with my Gbrother in VicksCburg

All chords in this song (5)

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Mick Ryans Lament

by Tim O'Brien

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

Well my name is Mic Ryan, I’m lyin’ here still

C G

In a lonely spot near where I was killed

By a red man defending his native land,

C G C

In the place that they call the Little Big Horn

And I swear I did not see the irony

C G

when I rode with the Seventh Calvary

I thought that we fought for the land of the free

G C

when we rode from Fort Lincoln that morning

[Chorus]

And the band they played the Garryowen,

Brass was shining, flags a flowin’

C Em Am C

I swear if I had only known

C G C

I’d have wished that I’d died back in Vicksburg

[Verse]

For my brother and me, we had barely escaped,

C G

from the Hell that was Ireland in ‘48

Two angry young lads who had learned how to hate

G C

But we loved the idea of Amerikay

And we cursed our cousins who fought and bled

in their bloody coats of bloody red

The sun never sets on the bloody dead

G C

of those who have chosen an empire

[Chorus]

But we’d find a better life somehow

in the land where no man has to bow

C Em Am C

It seemed right then and it seems right now

C G C

that Paddy he died for the union

[Verse]

Ah, but Michael he somehow got turned around

C G

He had stolen the dream that he thought he’d found.

Now I never will see that holy ground

C G C

For I turned into something I hated

[Chorus]

And I’m haunted by the Garryowen,

Drums a beatin, bugles blowin’

C Em Am C

I swear if I had only known,

C G C

I’d lie with my brother in Vicksburg

And the band they played the Garryowen,

Brass was shinin’ flags a flowin’

C Em Am C

I swear if I had only known,

C G C

I’d lie with my brother in Vicksburg

About Mick Ryans Lament Chords by Tim O'Brien

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

FAQ — Mick Ryans Lament by Tim O'Brien

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What key is "Mick Ryans Lament" in?

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