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St Brendans Voyage

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

About this version: This is not an attempt to copy Christy Moore, I havent
checked what key he does it in, just something I've put together in the absence of finding a tab on the net
happy to hear alternatives to this progression, particularly the A A7 Dsus2 D line.
I'm also playing this to a different rhythm to the original, that may impact on its feel too.
[Verse]
A Dboat sailed out of Brandon in_the Gyear of five o Done
’twas a Ddamp and dirty mornin’ Brendan’s Gvoyage it beAgun.
DTired of thinnin’ turnips and Gcuttin’ curley Dkale
When he got back from the creamery  he Ahoisted up the Dsail.
He ploughed a lonely furrow to the Gnorth, south, east and Dwest
Of Dall the navigators, St. GBrendan was the Abest.
When Dhe ran out of candles he was Gforced to make a Dstop,
He Dtied up in Long Island and put AAmerica on the Dmap.
Did you Gknow that Honolulu was Dfound by a Kerryman,
Who Awent on to find A7Australia then Dsus2China and JaDpan.
When Ghe was touchin’ 70, he Dbegan to miss the crack,
Turnin’ to his albatross sez Ahe “I’m headin’ Dback”.
[Chorus]
“Is it Gright or left for GiDbraltar”
“and AWhat tack do I take for Mizen DHead?”
“I’d Glove to settle down near Ventry DHarbour”,
St. Brendan to his aAlbatross he Dsaid.
[Verse]
To Dmake it fast he bent the mast and Gbuilt up mighty Dsteam.
Around Terra del Fuego and Gup the warm Gulf AStream,
He Dcrossed the last horizon, Mt. GBrandon came in Dsight
And when he cleared the customs into ADingle for the Dnight.
GWhen he got the Cordon Bleu he went to douse the Ddrought,
He Aheaded west to A7Crozier’s to murder Dsus2pints of Dstout
Around by BallyGferriter and Dup the Conor Pass
He freewheeled into Brandon, the Asaint was home at Dlast.
[Chorus]
“Is it Gright or left for GiDbraltar”
“and AWhat tack do I take for Mizen DHead?”
“I’d Glove to settle down near Ventry DHarbour”,
St. Brendan to his aAlbatross he Dsaid.
[Verse]
The enDtire population came (281) the Gplace was chock-a-Dblock
Love nor money wouldn’t get your Gnose inside the Ashop.
The Dfishermen hauled up their nets, the Gfarmers left their Dhay,
Kerry people know that saints don’t Aturn up every Dday.
GEverythin’ was goin’ great ’til DBrendan did announce
His Areason for reA7turnin’ was to Dsus2try and set up Dhouse.
The Ggirls were flabbergasted Dat St. Brendan’s neck
To seek a wife so late in life and Ahim a total Dwreck.
[Chorus]
“Is it Gright or left for GiDbraltar”
“and AWhat tack do I take for Mizen DHead?”
“I’d Glove to settle down near Ventry DHarbour”,
St. Brendan to his aAlbatross he Dsaid.
[Verse]
DWorn down by rejection that Gpierced his humble Dpride,
“Begod”, sez Brendan “If I run I’ll Gsurely catch the Atide”
DTurnin’ on his sandals he Gmade straight for the Ddocks
And haulin’ up his anchor he Acast off from the Drocks.
As he Gsailed past Inismhicheallain there Dstood the albatross
“I Aknew you’d never A7stick it out, ’tis Dsus2great to see you Dboss”
“I’m Gbailin’ out” sez Brendan, “I Dbadly need a break
A fortnight is about as much as any aul Asaint could Dtake.”
[Chorus] x 2
“Is it Gright or left for GiDbraltar”
“and AWhat tack do I take for Mizen DHead?”
“I’d Glove to settle down near Ventry DHarbour”,
St. Brendan to his aAlbatross he Dsaid.

All chords in this song (5)

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St Brendans Voyage

by Christy Moore

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dsus2

About this version: This is not an attempt to copy Christy Moore, I havent

checked what key he does it in, just something I've put together in the absence of finding a tab on the net

happy to hear alternatives to this progression, particularly the A A7 Dsus2 D line.

I'm also playing this to a different rhythm to the original, that may impact on its feel too.

[Verse]

D G D

A boat sailed out of Brandon in_the year of five o one

D G A

’twas a damp and dirty mornin’ Brendan’s voyage it begun.

D G D

Tired of thinnin’ turnips and cuttin’ curley kale

A D

When he got back from the creamery he hoisted up the sail.

G D

He ploughed a lonely furrow to the north, south, east and west

D G A

Of all the navigators, St. Brendan was the best.

D G D

When he ran out of candles he was forced to make a stop,

D A D

He tied up in Long Island and put America on the map.

G D

Did you know that Honolulu was found by a Kerryman,

A A7 Dsus2 D

Who went on to find Australia then China and Japan.

G D

When he was touchin’ 70, he began to miss the crack,

A D

Turnin’ to his albatross sez he “I’m headin’ back”.

[Chorus]

G D

“Is it right or left for Gibraltar”

A D

“and What tack do I take for Mizen Head?”

G D

“I’d love to settle down near Ventry Harbour”,

A D

St. Brendan to his albatross he said.

[Verse]

D G D

To make it fast he bent the mast and built up mighty steam.

G A

Around Terra del Fuego and up the warm Gulf Stream,

D G D

He crossed the last horizon, Mt. Brandon came in sight

A D

And when he cleared the customs into Dingle for the night.

G D

When he got the Cordon Bleu he went to douse the drought,

A A7 Dsus2 D

He headed west to Crozier’s to murder pints of stout

G D

Around by Ballyferriter and up the Conor Pass

A D

He freewheeled into Brandon, the saint was home at last.

[Chorus]

G D

“Is it right or left for Gibraltar”

A D

“and What tack do I take for Mizen Head?”

G D

“I’d love to settle down near Ventry Harbour”,

A D

St. Brendan to his albatross he said.

[Verse]

D G D

The entire population came (281) the place was chock-a-block

G A

Love nor money wouldn’t get your nose inside the shop.

D G D

The fishermen hauled up their nets, the farmers left their hay,

A D

Kerry people know that saints don’t turn up every day.

G D

Everythin’ was goin’ great ’til Brendan did announce

A A7 Dsus2 D

His reason for returnin’ was to try and set up house.

G D

The girls were flabbergasted at St. Brendan’s neck

A D

To seek a wife so late in life and him a total wreck.

[Chorus]

G D

“Is it right or left for Gibraltar”

A D

“and What tack do I take for Mizen Head?”

G D

“I’d love to settle down near Ventry Harbour”,

A D

St. Brendan to his albatross he said.

[Verse]

D G D

Worn down by rejection that pierced his humble pride,

G A

“Begod”, sez Brendan “If I run I’ll surely catch the tide”

D G D

Turnin’ on his sandals he made straight for the docks

A D

And haulin’ up his anchor he cast off from the rocks.

G D

As he sailed past Inismhicheallain there stood the albatross

A A7 Dsus2 D

“I knew you’d never stick it out, ’tis great to see you boss”

G D

“I’m bailin’ out” sez Brendan, “I badly need a break

A D

A fortnight is about as much as any aul saint could take.”

[Chorus] x 2

G D

“Is it right or left for Gibraltar”

A D

“and What tack do I take for Mizen Head?”

G D

“I’d love to settle down near Ventry Harbour”,

A D

St. Brendan to his albatross he said.

About St Brendans Voyage Chords by Christy Moore

Learn how to play St Brendans Voyage by Christy Moore with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “St Brendans Voyage chords”, “St Brendans Voyage guitar chords”, or “Christy Moore St Brendans Voyage 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 St Brendans Voyage chords and for experienced players who want accurate St Brendans Voyage lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, A7, Dsus2, D, G.

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