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England

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"England"(McCann) 
From "Fortune's Favour"(2008)
Alan tunes his b-string up to C and uses only the top
three strings, essentially sounding in Open C (CGCGCE) 
despite really being EADGCE. 
chord shapes for that tuning:
C:   xxx000
F:   xxx201
G:   xx0403
Dm7: xx0201
Am:  x02200
------------------------------------------
[Intro]
C
[Chorus]
We were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand,
fCar from our chFildren and wGives,
to plFay our hCand in the NGewfoundlCand,
where the wCind cuts lFike a knGife.
We were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand. 
[Verse]
We shCipped on board the MGaryaCnne,
to fCind a bFetter lGife,
and we wFalked acrCoss the wGatCer
when she brCoke up Fon the Gice.
We cCame ashore in CGarbonCear,
with noCthing but ouFr riGghts,
and I wFondered Cif I eG'er agCain
would sCee my FLondon GLights. 
[Chorus]
We were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand,
fCar from our chFildren and wGives,
to plFay our hCand in the NGewfoundlCand,
where the wCind cuts lFike a knGife.
We were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand. 
[Verse]
We spCend our days amGid the wCaves,
working wCater, hFook, and twGine,
we'd Fgo for wCeeks with blGistered chCeeks,
waiting fCor the sFun to sGhine. 
But as lCong as the sky hold Gover Cus,
we wCill not tFaste the brGine,
and we'll cFurse the cCod with the fGear of GCod,
as we hCaul in eFv'ry lGine. 
[Chorus]
We were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand,
fCar from our chFildren and wGives,
to plFay our hCand in the NGewfoundlCand,
where the wCind cuts lFike a kGnife.
We were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand,
fCar from our nFative sG5oil,
to chFase a wCish,and to hGunt the fCish,
and Con the rFocks to tGoil,
we were fCar from the sFhores of EGnglCand. 
"Lift High the Cross" 
C Dm7 C G
C F Am F G C
[Verse]
Should Cwe find fortune's fGavoCur,
and Cbe spared frFom the gaGle,
we will lFive off hConest lGaboCur,
with our heCarts as bFig as sGails.
But Cif I should die, don't bGury Cme,
or leCave me Fto the sGea,
just sFend my bCones back Gto my hCome,
where my spCirit cFan be fGree. 
[Chorus]
We were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand,
fCar from our chFildren and wGives,
to plFay our hCand in the NGewfoundlCand,
where the wCind cuts lFike a knGife. 
We were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand,
fCar from our nFative sGoil,
to chFase a wCish, and to hGunt the fCish,
and Con the rFocks to tGoil,
we were fCar from the shFores of EGnglCand!
C

All chords in this song (6)

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England

by Great Big Sea

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dm7

"England"(McCann)

From "Fortune's Favour"(2008)

Alan tunes his b-string up to C and uses only the top

three strings, essentially sounding in Open C (CGCGCE)

despite really being EADGCE.

chord shapes for that tuning:

C: xxx000

F: xxx201

G: xx0403

Dm7: xx0201

Am: x02200

------------------------------------------

[Intro]

[Chorus]

C F G C

We were far from the shores of England,

C F G

far from our children and wives,

F C G C

to play our hand in the Newfoundland,

C F G

where the wind cuts like a knife.

C F G C

We were far from the shores of England.

[Verse]

C G C

We shipped on board the Maryanne,

C F G

to find a better life,

F C G C

and we walked across the water

C F G

when she broke up on the ice.

C G C

We came ashore in Carbonear,

C F G

with nothing but our rights,

F C G C

and I wondered if I e'er again

C F G

would see my London Lights.

[Chorus]

C F G C

We were far from the shores of England,

C F G

far from our children and wives,

F C G C

to play our hand in the Newfoundland,

C F G

where the wind cuts like a knife.

C F G C

We were far from the shores of England.

[Verse]

C G C

We spend our days amid the waves,

C F G

working water, hook, and twine,

F C G C

we'd go for weeks with blistered cheeks,

C F G

waiting for the sun to shine.

C G C

But as long as the sky hold over us,

C F G

we will not taste the brine,

F C G C

and we'll curse the cod with the fear of God,

C F G

as we haul in ev'ry line.

[Chorus]

C F G C

We were far from the shores of England,

C F G

far from our children and wives,

F C G C

to play our hand in the Newfoundland,

C F G

where the wind cuts like a knife.

C F G C

We were far from the shores of England,

C F G5

far from our native soil,

F C G C

to chase a wish,and to hunt the fish,

C F G

and on the rocks to toil,

C F G C

we were far from the shores of England.

"Lift High the Cross"

C Dm7 C G

C F Am F G C

[Verse]

C G C

Should we find fortune's favour,

C F G

and be spared from the gale,

F C G C

we will live off honest labour,

C F G

with our hearts as big as sails.

C G C

But if I should die, don't bury me,

C F G

or leave me to the sea,

F C G C

just send my bones back to my home,

C F G

where my spirit can be free.

[Chorus]

C F G C

We were far from the shores of England,

C F G

far from our children and wives,

F C G C

to play our hand in the Newfoundland,

C F G

where the wind cuts like a knife.

C F G C

We were far from the shores of England,

C F G

far from our native soil,

F C G C

to chase a wish, and to hunt the fish,

C F G

and on the rocks to toil,

C F G C

we were far from the shores of England!

About England Chords by Great Big Sea

Learn how to play England by Great Big Sea with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “England chords”, “England guitar chords”, or “Great Big Sea England 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 England chords and for experienced players who want accurate England lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, G, Am, G5, Dm7.

FAQ — England by Great Big Sea

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The chords for "England" show the original chord names (including C, F, G, Am, G5, Dm7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.