Now playing

Rosie Donahue

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

                                  Rosie Donahue                                        Declan Nerney
[Intro]
E    B    F#    B7     E     B     F#    B
[Verse 1]
When BI was here on me hBolidays from fEar across the sBea,
I stEayed in the town of WBexford near our BJ F KenneF#dy,
Was Bin New Ross at a dBance I met a chEarming girl so swBeet,
Her nE7ame was Rosie DBonahue and she sF#wept me off my fBeet.B  
[Verse 2]
I aBsked her for a dBance that night to wEhich she did agBree,
And Eas we danced the nBight away these wBords she said to F#me,
That she liBved off near TaBghmon, on her FaEthers little fBarm,
And Eif I'd like to sBee her home if F#7not there'd be no hBarm.B  
[Chorus 1]
Oh RBosie DonahBue,  I reEally do love yBou,
AlthEough I'm bound for AmBerica, to yC#ou I will be tF#rue,
But befBore I leave this coBuntry,  I'll tEell you what I'll Bdo,
If you waEnna take my sBurname,  then F#7I'll take DonahBue.
[Interlude]
E    B    F    B    G
[Verse 3]
When CI went back to AmCerica and trFied to settle dCown,
But eFveryday my heCart would yearn for the lCove I left beG7hind,
So I sCent to her a leCtter,  and sFaid Miss DonahCue,
This hFeart of mine is loCnely now withGout the love of yCou.C  
[Verse 4]
She wrCote me back an anCswer,  sayin' tFhat she would acCcept,
The gFenerous offer tChat I made, to hCer before I lG7eft,
She'd tCake my hand in maCrriage,  if FI would still agCree,
So I'm hFeaded back to WCexford now that's wGhere I long to Cbe.C  
[Chorus 2]
Oh RCosie DonahCue,  I reFally do love yCou,
AlthFough I'm bound for AmCerica, to yDou I will be tGrue,
But befCore I leave this coCuntry,  I'll tFell you what I'll Cdo,
If you waFnna take my suCrname,  then IG7'll take DonahCue.C  
[Chorus 3]
Oh RCosie DonahCue,  I reFally do love yCou,
AlthFough I'm bound for AmCerica, to yDou I will be tGrue,
But befCore I leave this coCuntry,  I'll tFell you what I'll Cdo,
If you waFnna take my suCrname,  then IG7'll take DonahCue.
[Outro]
         F             C             G             C F C

All chords in this song (12)

The story behind the song

Declan Nerney is an Irish singer-songwriter who began his musical journey at 16 in a local band. While the specific inspiration for "Rosie Donahue" isn't detailed, the song paints a picture of a holiday romance, where a visitor from across the sea dances the night away with Rosie. Despite the connection, the visitor ultimately feels the pull of home, longing to return to Wexford. It's a sweet, wistful tune about fleeting connections and the enduring call of one's roots.

AI-written from these sources:Declan Nerney — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

Rosie Donahue

Rosie Donahue

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Rosie Donahue

by Declan Nerney

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#7

Rosie Donahue Declan Nerney

[Intro]

E B F# B7 E B F# B

[Verse 1]

B B E B

When I was here on me holidays from far across the sea,

E B B F#

I stayed in the town of Wexford near our J F Kennedy,

B B E B

Was in New Ross at a dance I met a charming girl so sweet,

E7 B F# B B

Her name was Rosie Donahue and she swept me off my feet.

[Verse 2]

B B E B

I asked her for a dance that night to which she did agree,

E B B F#

And as we danced the night away these words she said to me,

B B E B

That she lived off near Taghmon, on her Fathers little farm,

E B F#7 B B

And if I'd like to see her home if not there'd be no harm.

[Chorus 1]

B B E B

Oh Rosie Donahue, I really do love you,

E B C# F#

Although I'm bound for America, to you I will be true,

B B E B

But before I leave this country, I'll tell you what I'll do,

E B F#7 B

If you wanna take my surname, then I'll take Donahue.

[Interlude]

E B F B G

[Verse 3]

C C F C

When I went back to America and tried to settle down,

F C C G7

But everyday my heart would yearn for the love I left behind,

C C F C

So I sent to her a letter, and said Miss Donahue,

F C G C C

This heart of mine is lonely now without the love of you.

[Verse 4]

C C F C

She wrote me back an answer, sayin' that she would accept,

F C C G7

The generous offer that I made, to her before I left,

C C F C

She'd take my hand in marriage, if I would still agree,

F C G C C

So I'm headed back to Wexford now that's where I long to be.

[Chorus 2]

C C F C

Oh Rosie Donahue, I really do love you,

F C D G

Although I'm bound for America, to you I will be true,

C C F C

But before I leave this country, I'll tell you what I'll do,

F C G7 C C

If you wanna take my surname, then I'll take Donahue.

[Chorus 3]

C C F C

Oh Rosie Donahue, I really do love you,

F C D G

Although I'm bound for America, to you I will be true,

C C F C

But before I leave this country, I'll tell you what I'll do,

F C G7 C

If you wanna take my surname, then I'll take Donahue.

[Outro]

F C G C F C

About Rosie Donahue Chords by Declan Nerney

Learn how to play Rosie Donahue by Declan Nerney with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Rosie Donahue chords”, “Rosie Donahue guitar chords”, or “Declan Nerney Rosie Donahue 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 Rosie Donahue chords and for experienced players who want accurate Rosie Donahue lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, B, F#, B7, F, E7.

FAQ — Rosie Donahue by Declan Nerney

How do I play "Rosie Donahue" by Declan Nerney on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Rosie Donahue" by Declan Nerney 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 "Rosie Donahue" by Declan Nerney free?

Yes. The chords for "Rosie Donahue" by Declan Nerney are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Rosie Donahue" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Rosie Donahue"?

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

Is "Rosie Donahue" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Rosie Donahue" by Declan Nerney with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Declan Nerney below.

What key is "Rosie Donahue" in?

The chords for "Rosie Donahue" show the original chord names (including E, B, F#, B7, F, E7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.