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Auld Orange Flute

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Cmajor

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[Intro]
C F C G
[Verse 1]
In the CCounty Tyrone, near the Gtown of DunCgannon,
Where many the Amructions meGself had a hand in.
Bob CWilliamson lived, a Fweaver by Ctrade,
And all of us Gthought him a stout Orange Cblade,
On the Twelfth of JuEmly as it Fyearly did come,
Bob Cplayed with his flute to the G7sound of a drum.
You may Ctalk of your harp, your Fpiano or Clute,
But none can compare with the GOld Orange CFlute.
[Verse 2]
CBob, the deceiver, he Gtook us all Cin;
He married a AmPapist named GBridget McGinn.
Turned CPapist himself and forFsook the old Ccause
That gave us our Gfreedom, religion and Claws.
Now, boys of the Emtownland made Fsome noise upon it,
And CBob had to fly to the G7province of Connaught.
He Cfled with his wife and his Ffixings to Cboot,
And along with the latter his GOld Orange CFlute.
[Verse 3]
At the Cchapel on Sunday to Gatone for past Cdeeds,
He'd say Pater and AmAves and Gcounted his brown beads.
'Til Cafter some time, at the Fpriest's own Cdesire
He went with that old flute to Gplay in the Cchoir.
He went with that old Emflute for to Fplay for the Mass,
But the Cinstrument shivered and G7sighed, oh, alas,
And Ctry though he would, though it Fmade a great Cnoise,
The flute would play only "The GProtestant CBoys."
[Verse 4]
Bob Cjumped and he stared and Ggot in a Cflutter
And threw the Amold flute in the Gblessed holy water.
He Cthought that this charm would bring Fsome other CSound;
When he tried it again, it played "GCroppies Lie CDown."
Now, for all he could Emwhistle and Ffinger and blow,
To Cplay Papish music he G7found it no go.
"Kick the CPope" and "The Boyne Water" it Ffreely would CSound,
But one Papish squeak in it Gcouldn't be Cfound.
[Verse 5]
At the Ccouncil of priests that was Gheld the next Cday
They decided to Ambanish the Gold flute away.
They Ccouldn't knock heresy Fout of it's Chead,
So they bought Bob a Gnew one to play in it's Cstead.
Now, the old flute was Emdoomed, and its Ffate was pathetic
'Twas Cfastened and burned at the G7stake as a heretic.
As the Cflames soared around it, they Fheard a strange CNoise;
'Twas the old flute still whistling "The GProtestant CBoys."
[Outro]
"Toora Flu, toora Clay,
Oh, it's six miles from Bangor to GDonnahaCdee."

All chords in this song (6)

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Auld Orange Flute

by The Dubliners

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

C F C G

[Verse 1]

C G C

In the County Tyrone, near the town of Dungannon,

Am G

Where many the ructions meself had a hand in.

C F C

Bob Williamson lived, a weaver by trade,

G C

And all of us thought him a stout Orange blade,

Em F

On the Twelfth of July as it yearly did come,

C G7

Bob played with his flute to the sound of a drum.

C F C

You may talk of your harp, your piano or lute,

G C

But none can compare with the Old Orange Flute.

[Verse 2]

C G C

Bob, the deceiver, he took us all in;

Am G

He married a Papist named Bridget McGinn.

C F C

Turned Papist himself and forsook the old cause

G C

That gave us our freedom, religion and laws.

Em F

Now, boys of the townland made some noise upon it,

C G7

And Bob had to fly to the province of Connaught.

C F C

He fled with his wife and his fixings to boot,

G C

And along with the latter his Old Orange Flute.

[Verse 3]

C G C

At the chapel on Sunday to atone for past deeds,

Am G

He'd say Pater and Aves and counted his brown beads.

C F C

'Til after some time, at the priest's own desire

G C

He went with that old flute to play in the choir.

Em F

He went with that old flute for to play for the Mass,

C G7

But the instrument shivered and sighed, oh, alas,

C F C

And try though he would, though it made a great noise,

G C

The flute would play only "The Protestant Boys."

[Verse 4]

C G C

Bob jumped and he stared and got in a flutter

Am G

And threw the old flute in the blessed holy water.

C F C

He thought that this charm would bring some other Sound;

G C

When he tried it again, it played "Croppies Lie Down."

Em F

Now, for all he could whistle and finger and blow,

C G7

To play Papish music he found it no go.

C F C

"Kick the Pope" and "The Boyne Water" it freely would Sound,

G C

But one Papish squeak in it couldn't be found.

[Verse 5]

C G C

At the council of priests that was held the next day

Am G

They decided to banish the old flute away.

C F C

They couldn't knock heresy out of it's head,

G C

So they bought Bob a new one to play in it's stead.

Em F

Now, the old flute was doomed, and its fate was pathetic

C G7

'Twas fastened and burned at the stake as a heretic.

C F C

As the flames soared around it, they heard a strange Noise;

G C

'Twas the old flute still whistling "The Protestant Boys."

[Outro]

F C

"Toora lu, toora lay,

G C

Oh, it's six miles from Bangor to Donnahadee."

About Auld Orange Flute Chords by The Dubliners

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

FAQ — Auld Orange Flute by The Dubliners

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