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The Rare Old Times

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Cmajor

90BPM

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[Verse 1]
CRaised on songs and FstorCies, Amheroes of renFown,
the Cpassing tales and FglorCies that Gonce was Dublin G7Town,
The Challowed halls and FhousCes, the Amhaunting children's rFhymes,
that Conce was Dublin FCity Cin the G7rare old Ctimes.
[Chorus]
CRing a ring a FrosCy, Amas the light declFines,
I'll rCemember Dublin FCity, Cin the Grare old Ctimes.
[Verse 2]
CMy name it is Sean DFempsCey, aAms Dublin as cFan be,
CBorn hard and late in PFimliCco, in a Ghouse that ceaseG7d to be,
CBy trade I was a cFoopeCr, loAmst out to redFundancy,
Like Cmy house that feFll to CprogreG7ss, my trCades a memory.
CAnd I courted Peggy FDignCan, aAms pretty as yFou please,
CA rogue and child Fof MCary, from Gthe rebel LiberG7ties,
CI lost her to a studFent Cchap, Amwith skin as Fblack as coal,
When Che took her off Fto BiCrminghaG7m, she toCok away my soul.
[Chorus]
CRing a ring a FrosCy, Amas the light declFines,
I'll rCemember Dublin FCity, Cin the Grare old Ctimes.
[Verse 3]
CThe years have made Fme bCitterAm, the gargle Fdims my brain,
C'Cause Dublin keepFs on CchangingG, and nothing seG7ems the sane.
CThe Pillar and the MFet. Chave gone, thAme Royal long Fsince pulled down,
As thCe grey unyieldinFg conCcrete mG7akes a ciCty of my town.
[Chorus]
CRing a ring a FrosCy, Amas the light declFines,
I'll rCemember Dublin FCity, Cin the Grare old Ctimes.
[Verse 4]
CFare thee well sweet FAnnCa LifAmfey, I can no Flonger stay,
CAnd watch the new FglasCs cages tGhat spring up alG7ong the Quay,
CMy mind's too full oFf meCmorieAms, to old to Fhear new chimes,
I'm pCart of what was FDubliCn, in tG7he rare oCld times.
[Chorus]
CRing a ring a FrosCy, Amas the light declFines,
I'll rCemember Dublin FCity, Cin the Grare old Ctimes.
CRing a ring a FrosCy, Amas the light declFines,
I'll rCemember Dublin FCity, Cin the Grare old Ctimes.

All chords in this song (5)

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The Rare Old Times

by The Dubliners

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

C F C Am F

Raised on songs and stories, heroes of renown,

C F C G G7

the passing tales and glories that once was Dublin Town,

C F C Am F

The hallowed halls and houses, the haunting children's rhymes,

C F C G7 C

that once was Dublin City in the rare old times.

[Chorus]

C F C Am F

Ring a ring a rosy, as the light declines,

C F C G C

I'll remember Dublin City, in the rare old times.

[Verse 2]

C F C Am F

My name it is Sean Dempsey, as Dublin as can be,

C F C G G7

Born hard and late in Pimlico, in a house that ceased to be,

C F C Am F

By trade I was a cooper, lost out to redundancy,

C F C G7 C

Like my house that fell to progress, my trades a memory.

C F C Am F

And I courted Peggy Dignan, as pretty as you please,

C F C G G7

A rogue and child of Mary, from the rebel Liberties,

C F C Am F

I lost her to a student chap, with skin as black as coal,

C F C G7 C

When he took her off to Birmingham, she took away my soul.

[Chorus]

C F C Am F

Ring a ring a rosy, as the light declines,

C F C G C

I'll remember Dublin City, in the rare old times.

[Verse 3]

C F C Am F

The years have made me bitter, the gargle dims my brain,

C F C G G7

'Cause Dublin keeps on changing, and nothing seems the sane.

C F C Am F

The Pillar and the Met. have gone, the Royal long since pulled down,

C F C G7 C

As the grey unyielding concrete makes a city of my town.

[Chorus]

C F C Am F

Ring a ring a rosy, as the light declines,

C F C G C

I'll remember Dublin City, in the rare old times.

[Verse 4]

C F C Am F

Fare thee well sweet Anna Liffey, I can no longer stay,

C F C G G7

And watch the new glass cages that spring up along the Quay,

C F C Am F

My mind's too full of memories, to old to hear new chimes,

C F C G7 C

I'm part of what was Dublin, in the rare old times.

[Chorus]

C F C Am F

Ring a ring a rosy, as the light declines,

C F C G C

I'll remember Dublin City, in the rare old times.

C F C Am F

Ring a ring a rosy, as the light declines,

C F C G C

I'll remember Dublin City, in the rare old times.

About The Rare Old Times Chords by The Dubliners

Learn how to play The Rare Old Times by The Dubliners with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Rare Old Times chords”, “The Rare Old Times guitar chords”, or “The Dubliners The Rare Old Times 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 Rare Old Times chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Rare Old Times lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, Am, G, G7, A.

FAQ — The Rare Old Times by The Dubliners

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The chords for "The Rare Old Times" show the original chord names (including C, F, Am, G, G7, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.