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The Nightingale

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Liam Clancy - The Nightingale
CAPO: 1st Fret
[INTRO:]      C    G        C      G       C    G    C    F    G  C  
[VERSE 1:]
As I was a-walking and a-Grambling Cone day
I spied a young couple, so fondly did Gstray
And one was a Cyoung maid, so sweet and so Gfair
And the Cother one was a Fsoldier and a Gbrave grenaCdier
[CHORUS:]
And they kissed so sweetly Fcomforting as they Gclung to each Cother
They went arm and arm down the road like sister and Gbrother
They went Carm and arm down the road 'til they came to a Gstream
And they Cboth sat down toFgether, love, to hear the Gnightingale Csing
[VERSE 2:]
Then out of his knapsack he Gdrew a fine Cfiddle
And he played her such merry tunes that you ever did Ghear
And he Cplayed her such a merry tune that the valley did Gring
"Ah, Csoftly", cried the Ffair maid, hear the Gnightingale Csing
[CHORUS:]
And they kissed so sweetly Fcomforting as they Gclung to each Cother
They went arm and arm down the road like sister and Gbrother
They went Carm and arm down the road 'til they came to a Gstream
And they Cboth sat down toFgether, love, to hear the Gnightingale Csing
[VERSE 3:]
Oh well, I'm off to India for Gseven long Cyears
Drinking wine and strong whiskey instead of pale Gbeers
And if Cever I return again, it will be in the Gspring
And we'll Cboth sit down toFgether, love, to hear the Gnightingale Csing
[CHORUS:]
And they kissed so sweetly Fcomforting as they Gclung to each Cother
They went arm and arm down the road like sister and Gbrother
They went Carm and arm down the road 'til they came to a Gstream
And they Cboth sat down toFgether, love, to hear the Gnightingale Csing
[VERSE 4:]
"Now," says the fair maid, "will Gyou marry Cme"
"Oh no," says the soldier, "however can that Gbe?"
"For CI've me own wife at home in me own counteGry
            CN.C.          (F)                   (G)       C  
And sure she is the fairest little thing that you ever did see"
[CHORUS:]
And they kissed so sweetly Fcomforting as they Gclung to each Cother
They went arm and arm down the road like sister and Gbrother
They went Carm and arm down the road 'til they came to a Gstream
And they Cboth sat down toFgether, love, to hear the Gnightingale Csing

All chords in this song (3)

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The Nightingale

by Liam Clancy

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 1 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Liam Clancy - The Nightingale

CAPO: 1st Fret

C G C G C G C F G C

[INTRO:]

[VERSE 1:]

G C

As I was a-walking and a-rambling one day

I spied a young couple, so fondly did stray

C G

And one was a young maid, so sweet and so fair

C F G C

And the other one was a soldier and a brave grenadier

[CHORUS:]

F G C

And they kissed so sweetly comforting as they clung to each other

They went arm and arm down the road like sister and brother

C G

They went arm and arm down the road 'til they came to a stream

C F G C

And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing

[VERSE 2:]

G C

Then out of his knapsack he drew a fine fiddle

And he played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear

C G

And he played her such a merry tune that the valley did ring

C F G C

"Ah, softly", cried the fair maid, hear the nightingale sing

[CHORUS:]

F G C

And they kissed so sweetly comforting as they clung to each other

They went arm and arm down the road like sister and brother

C G

They went arm and arm down the road 'til they came to a stream

C F G C

And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing

[VERSE 3:]

G C

Oh well, I'm off to India for seven long years

Drinking wine and strong whiskey instead of pale beers

C G

And if ever I return again, it will be in the spring

C F G C

And we'll both sit down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing

[CHORUS:]

F G C

And they kissed so sweetly comforting as they clung to each other

They went arm and arm down the road like sister and brother

C G

They went arm and arm down the road 'til they came to a stream

C F G C

And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing

[VERSE 4:]

G C

"Now," says the fair maid, "will you marry me"

"Oh no," says the soldier, "however can that be?"

C G

"For I've me own wife at home in me own countery

C C

N.C. (F) (G)

And sure she is the fairest little thing that you ever did see"

[CHORUS:]

F G C

And they kissed so sweetly comforting as they clung to each other

They went arm and arm down the road like sister and brother

C G

They went arm and arm down the road 'til they came to a stream

C F G C

And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing

About The Nightingale Chords by Liam Clancy

Learn how to play The Nightingale by Liam Clancy with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Nightingale chords”, “The Nightingale guitar chords”, or “Liam Clancy The Nightingale 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 Nightingale chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Nightingale lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, F.

FAQ — The Nightingale by Liam Clancy

How do I play "The Nightingale" by Liam Clancy on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Nightingale" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Nightingale"?

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

Is "The Nightingale" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Nightingale" by Liam Clancy with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Liam Clancy below.

What key is "The Nightingale" in?

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