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The Hiring Fair

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[Intro]
Em  C  Em  C
[Verse]
EmI went down to the Chiring fair Gfor to sell my D/F#labour
I Emnoticed a maid in the Cvery next row, I Bmhoped she'd be my Cneighbour
IGmagine then D/F#my delight when the Emfarmer picked us Cboth
Though I spoke not a word on the Dcart to the farm
My heart beat in my EmthroatC  
[Verse]
My Emlodging was dry and my Cmaster fair, I Ggave him full D/F#measure
Like Emcorn in the field my Cenvy grew, for Bmin his house was my Ctreasure
I Gwatched her carry D/F#water, or drive Emcows from the Cbyre
And the heat from the sun made the Dcorn grow strong
And with it my deEmsireC  Em  C  
[Verse]
I Emsee her in my Cdreaming and Gin my dreams caD/F#ress
Her Emlips, her eyes, her Cdark brown hair, the Bmcurves beneath her Cdress
And Gharvest time it D/F#came at last, so Emheavy was our Ctask
That the women and the men worked Dside by side
So I had her near at EmlastC  Em  C  
[Verse]
EmI swung harder Cwith my scythe, Gfew words between us Dpassed
I Emcursed my tongue-tied Cyouthfulness, Bmhoped she'd hear my Cheart
When Gall was safely D/F#gathered in, Emwe sat down to Crest
My trembling fingers Dtouched her arm
She placed them on her Embreast
[Instrumental]
Em  C  Em  C  Em  C  Em  C
[Verse]
She Emturned to me as the Csun went down and Gall my senses D/F#reeled
EmWe lay there on the Cscented ground 'til the Bmmoon rose over the Cfield
[Instrumental]
G  D/F#  Em  C
D   Em    C    Em    C
Gm7   Eb   Gm7   Eb
Gm7   Eb   Gm7   Eb
Em   C   Em   C
[Verse]
EmShe was safely Cgathered in my Garms when from the D/F#barn
EmDrifted the sound of a Cviolin and we Bmhurried to the Cfarm
GAll were dancing in the D/F#lantern light and Emmusic filled the Cair
And I thanked the stars and the Dharvest moon
For the girl from the hiring Emfair
[Outro]
  Em    C    Em    C    Em    Cx3

All chords in this song (8)

Open

O22OOO

Minor chord - Sad, melancholic sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

E minor

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

The Hiring Fair

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The Hiring Fair

by Fairport Convention

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

Gm7

[Intro]

Em C Em C

[Verse]

Em C G D/F#

I went down to the hiring fair for to sell my labour

Em C Bm C

I noticed a maid in the very next row, I hoped she'd be my neighbour

G D/F# Em C

Imagine then my delight when the farmer picked us both

Though I spoke not a word on the cart to the farm

Em C

My heart beat in my throat

[Verse]

Em C G D/F#

My lodging was dry and my master fair, I gave him full measure

Em C Bm C

Like corn in the field my envy grew, for in his house was my treasure

G D/F# Em C

I watched her carry water, or drive cows from the byre

And the heat from the sun made the corn grow strong

Em C Em C

And with it my desire

[Verse]

Em C G D/F#

I see her in my dreaming and in my dreams caress

Em C Bm C

Her lips, her eyes, her dark brown hair, the curves beneath her dress

G D/F# Em C

And harvest time it came at last, so heavy was our task

That the women and the men worked side by side

Em C Em C

So I had her near at last

[Verse]

Em C G D

I swung harder with my scythe, few words between us passed

Em C Bm C

I cursed my tongue-tied youthfulness, hoped she'd hear my heart

G D/F# Em C

When all was safely gathered in, we sat down to rest

My trembling fingers touched her arm

She placed them on her breast

[Instrumental]

Em C Em C Em C Em C

[Verse]

Em C G D/F#

She turned to me as the sun went down and all my senses reeled

Em C Bm C

We lay there on the scented ground 'til the moon rose over the field

[Instrumental]

G D/F# Em C

D Em C Em C

Gm7 Eb Gm7 Eb

Em C Em C

[Verse]

Em C G D/F#

She was safely gathered in my arms when from the barn

Em C Bm C

Drifted the sound of a violin and we hurried to the farm

G D/F# Em C

All were dancing in the lantern light and music filled the air

And I thanked the stars and the harvest moon

For the girl from the hiring fair

[Outro]

Em C Em C Em C

About The Hiring Fair Chords by Fairport Convention

Learn how to play The Hiring Fair by Fairport Convention with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Hiring Fair chords”, “The Hiring Fair guitar chords”, or “Fairport Convention The Hiring Fair 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 Hiring Fair chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Hiring Fair lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, C, G, D/F#, Bm, D.

FAQ — The Hiring Fair by Fairport Convention

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Is "The Hiring Fair" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Hiring Fair" in?

The chords for "The Hiring Fair" show the original chord names (including Em, C, G, D/F#, Bm, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.