Now playing

Fair Maid Sailor

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
CWhen I was a young girl at the Fage of sixteen
CFrom my home I ran away to Fgo and serve the Gqueen
I Glisted in the Navy a Csailor lad to stand
To Fhear the canons Crattle and the Fmusic Gplay so Cgrand
The Gmusic play so grand, the Cmusic play so Ggrand
To Fhear the canons Crattle and the Fmusic Gplay so Cgrand
[Verse 2]
I Cdressed myself in trousers and Fcut my hair of short
Then I Cwent down to the harbor to Fsee the ships in Gport
The Gofficer who listed me said Cwe need every hand
I Fthink you’ll make a Csailor, so Fstep this Gway young Cman
So Gstep this way young man, so Cstep this way young Gman
I Fthink you’ll make a Csailor, so Fstep this Gway young Cman
[Verse 3]
He Ctook me to me bunk mates down Fwhere the hammocs sway
And Clying by a sailor’s side I Fnever was aGfraid
But Gtaking off my old blue coat I Csometimes used to smile
To Fthink my self a Csailor and a Fmaiden Gall the Cwhile
A Gmaiden all the while, a Cmaiden all the Gwhile
To Fthink myself a Csailor and a Fmaiden Gall the Cwhile
[Verse 4]
They Csent me up to London to Fbe gurad o’r the tower
And Cthere I wolud I have been until this Fvery day and Ghour
But a Gyoung girl fell in love with me and Cfound I was a maid
She went Fstraightway to my Ccaptain and my Fsecret Gshe beCtrayed
My Gsecret she betrayed, my Csecret she beGtrayed
She went Fstraight way to my Ccaptain and my Fsecret Gshe beCtrayed
[Verse 5]
CMy captain he sent for me to Fsee if it were true
And Chow could I deny the tale that Fhe already Gknew
Here’s a Gpension of war for you, he Csmiled and he said
It’s a Fpity we should Close you such a Fsailor Gas you Cmade
Such a Gsailor as you made, such a Csailor as you Gmade
It’s a Fpity we should Close you such a Fsailor Gas you Cmade
[Verse 6]
So Cfare thee well my captain, you Fhave been kind to me
And Cfare thee well my comrades, you Fne’er forgot shall Gbe
And Gshould the British nay fall Cshort of any men,
I’ll doff Foff my hat Cfeathers and I’ll Frun the Grigging aCgain
I’ll Grun the rigging again, I’ll Crun the rigging aGgain
I’ll doff Foff my hat and Cfeathers and Frun the Grigging Cagain

All chords in this song (3)

🎸 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

Fair Maid Sailor

by Misc Traditional

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

C F

When I was a young girl at the age of sixteen

C F G

From my home I ran away to go and serve the queen

G C

I listed in the Navy a sailor lad to stand

F C F G C

To hear the canons rattle and the music play so grand

G C G

The music play so grand, the music play so grand

F C F G C

To hear the canons rattle and the music play so grand

[Verse 2]

C F

I dressed myself in trousers and cut my hair of short

C F G

Then I went down to the harbor to see the ships in port

G C

The officer who listed me said we need every hand

F C F G C

I think you’ll make a sailor, so step this way young man

G C G

So step this way young man, so step this way young man

F C F G C

I think you’ll make a sailor, so step this way young man

[Verse 3]

C F

He took me to me bunk mates down where the hammocs sway

C F G

And lying by a sailor’s side I never was afraid

G C

But taking off my old blue coat I sometimes used to smile

F C F G C

To think my self a sailor and a maiden all the while

G C G

A maiden all the while, a maiden all the while

F C F G C

To think myself a sailor and a maiden all the while

[Verse 4]

C F

They sent me up to London to be gurad o’r the tower

C F G

And there I wolud I have been until this very day and hour

G C

But a young girl fell in love with me and found I was a maid

F C F G C

She went straightway to my captain and my secret she betrayed

G C G

My secret she betrayed, my secret she betrayed

F C F G C

She went straight way to my captain and my secret she betrayed

[Verse 5]

C F

My captain he sent for me to see if it were true

C F G

And how could I deny the tale that he already knew

G C

Here’s a pension of war for you, he smiled and he said

F C F G C

It’s a pity we should lose you such a sailor as you made

G C G

Such a sailor as you made, such a sailor as you made

F C F G C

It’s a pity we should lose you such a sailor as you made

[Verse 6]

C F

So fare thee well my captain, you have been kind to me

C F G

And fare thee well my comrades, you ne’er forgot shall be

G C

And should the British nay fall short of any men,

F C F G C

I’ll doff off my hat feathers and I’ll run the rigging again

G C G

I’ll run the rigging again, I’ll run the rigging again

F C F G C

I’ll doff off my hat and feathers and run the rigging again

About Fair Maid Sailor Chords by Misc Traditional

Learn how to play Fair Maid Sailor by Misc Traditional with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Fair Maid Sailor chords”, “Fair Maid Sailor guitar chords”, or “Misc Traditional Fair Maid Sailor 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 Fair Maid Sailor chords and for experienced players who want accurate Fair Maid Sailor lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, G, A.

FAQ — Fair Maid Sailor by Misc Traditional

How do I play "Fair Maid Sailor" by Misc Traditional on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Fair Maid Sailor" by Misc Traditional 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 "Fair Maid Sailor" by Misc Traditional free?

Yes. The chords for "Fair Maid Sailor" by Misc Traditional are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Fair Maid Sailor" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Fair Maid Sailor"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Fair Maid Sailor" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Fair Maid Sailor" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Fair Maid Sailor" by Misc Traditional with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Misc Traditional below.

What key is "Fair Maid Sailor" in?

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