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Arthur Mcbride

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This is a traditional song off Bob Dylan's 1992 album 'Good As I Been To You'.
[Intro]
D
DOh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride,
EAs we went a-walkin' down by the seaside,
DMark now what followed and what did betide,
EFor it bein' on Christmas mornin'
DNow, for recreation, we went on a tramp,
EAnd we met Sergeant Napper and Corporal Vamp
DAnd a little wee drummer intending to camp,
EFor the day bein' pleasant and charmin'.
D"Good morning, good morning," the Sergeant he cried.
E"And the same to you, gentlemen," we did reply,
DIntending no harm but meant to pass by,
EFor it bein' on Christmas mornin'
D"But," says he, "My fine fellows, if you will enlist,
ETen guineas in gold I'll stick to your fist,
DAnd a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust,
EAnd drink the king's health in the morning.
D"For a soldier, he leads a very fine life,
EAnd he always is blessed with a charming young wife,
DAnd he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife,
EAnd he always lives pleasant and charmin',
DAnd a soldier, he always is decent and clean,
EIn the finest of clothing he's constantly seen.
DWhile other poor fellows go dirty and mean,
EAnd sup on thin gruel in the morning."
D
D"But," says Arthur, "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes,
EFor you've only the lend of them, as I suppose,
DBut you dare not change them one night, for you know
EIf you do, you'll be flogged in the morning,
DAnd although that we're single and free,
EWe take great delight in our own company,
DWe have no desire strange places to see,
EAlthough that your offers are charming.
D
[Instrumental]
D"And we have no desire to take your advance,
EAll hazards and dangers we barter on chance,
DFor you'd have no scruples for to send us to France,
EWhere we would get shot without warning,"
D"Oh no," says the Sergeant. "I'll have no such chat,
EAnd neither will I take it from snappy young brats,
DFor if you insult me with one other word,
EI'll cut off your heads in the morning."
DAnd Arthur and I, we soon drew our hogs,
EAnd we scarce gave them time to draw their own blades
DWhen a trusty shillelagh came over their head
EAnd bid them take that as fair warning.
DAnd their old rusty rapiers that hung by their sides,
EWe flung them as far as we could in the tide,
D"Now take them up, devils!" cried Arthur McBride,
E"And temper their edge in the mornin'!"
DAnd the little wee drummer, we flattened his bow,
EAnd we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow,
DThrew it in the tide for to rock and to roll,
EAnd bade it a tedious returning,
DAnd we havin' no money, paid them off in cracks.
EWe paid no respect to their two bloody backs,
DAnd we lathered them there like a pair of wet sacks,
EAnd left them for dead in the morning.
DAnd so, to conclude and to finish disputes,
EWe obligingly asked if they wanted recruits,
DFor we were the lads who would give them hard clouts
EAnd bid them look sharp in the mornin'.
D
[Instrumental]
DOh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride,
EAs we went a-walkin' down by the seaside,
DMark now what followed and what did betide,
EFor it bein' on Christmas mornin'
Two simple chords each line, easiest song ever!
Sorry if wrong. I don't think any other chord site has the chords of this song.

All chords in this song (2)

The story behind the song

Bob Dylan is renowned for his sophisticated lyrical techniques, infusing folk music with the intellectualism of classic literature and poetry. His work often incorporates political, social, and philosophical influences, appealing to the counterculture. "Arthur McBride" showcases Dylan's deep connection to traditional folk material, which he explored throughout his career, including on his 1992 album Good as I Been to You. It plays like a timeless narrative, inviting the listener into a story from a bygone era.

AI-written from these sources:Bob Dylan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Arthur Mcbride

by Bob Dylan

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

This is a traditional song off Bob Dylan's 1992 album 'Good As I Been To You'.

[Intro]

Oh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride,

As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside,

Mark now what followed and what did betide,

For it bein' on Christmas mornin'

Now, for recreation, we went on a tramp,

And we met Sergeant Napper and Corporal Vamp

And a little wee drummer intending to camp,

For the day bein' pleasant and charmin'.

"Good morning, good morning," the Sergeant he cried.

"And the same to you, gentlemen," we did reply,

Intending no harm but meant to pass by,

For it bein' on Christmas mornin'

"But," says he, "My fine fellows, if you will enlist,

Ten guineas in gold I'll stick to your fist,

And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust,

And drink the king's health in the morning.

"For a soldier, he leads a very fine life,

And he always is blessed with a charming young wife,

And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife,

And he always lives pleasant and charmin',

And a soldier, he always is decent and clean,

In the finest of clothing he's constantly seen.

While other poor fellows go dirty and mean,

And sup on thin gruel in the morning."

"But," says Arthur, "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes,

For you've only the lend of them, as I suppose,

But you dare not change them one night, for you know

If you do, you'll be flogged in the morning,

And although that we're single and free,

We take great delight in our own company,

We have no desire strange places to see,

Although that your offers are charming.

[Instrumental]

"And we have no desire to take your advance,

All hazards and dangers we barter on chance,

For you'd have no scruples for to send us to France,

Where we would get shot without warning,"

"Oh no," says the Sergeant. "I'll have no such chat,

And neither will I take it from snappy young brats,

For if you insult me with one other word,

I'll cut off your heads in the morning."

And Arthur and I, we soon drew our hogs,

And we scarce gave them time to draw their own blades

When a trusty shillelagh came over their head

And bid them take that as fair warning.

And their old rusty rapiers that hung by their sides,

We flung them as far as we could in the tide,

"Now take them up, devils!" cried Arthur McBride,

"And temper their edge in the mornin'!"

And the little wee drummer, we flattened his bow,

And we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow,

Threw it in the tide for to rock and to roll,

And bade it a tedious returning,

And we havin' no money, paid them off in cracks.

We paid no respect to their two bloody backs,

And we lathered them there like a pair of wet sacks,

And left them for dead in the morning.

And so, to conclude and to finish disputes,

We obligingly asked if they wanted recruits,

For we were the lads who would give them hard clouts

And bid them look sharp in the mornin'.

[Instrumental]

Oh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride,

As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside,

Mark now what followed and what did betide,

For it bein' on Christmas mornin'

Two simple chords each line, easiest song ever!

Sorry if wrong. I don't think any other chord site has the chords of this song.

About Arthur Mcbride Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play Arthur Mcbride by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Arthur Mcbride chords”, “Arthur Mcbride guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan Arthur Mcbride 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 Arthur Mcbride chords and for experienced players who want accurate Arthur Mcbride lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, E.

FAQ — Arthur Mcbride by Bob Dylan

How do I play "Arthur Mcbride" by Bob Dylan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Arthur Mcbride" by Bob Dylan 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 "Arthur Mcbride" by Bob Dylan free?

Yes. The chords for "Arthur Mcbride" by Bob Dylan are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Arthur Mcbride" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Arthur Mcbride"?

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

Is "Arthur Mcbride" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Arthur Mcbride" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.

What key is "Arthur Mcbride" in?

The chords for "Arthur Mcbride" show the original chord names (including D, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.