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The Dalesmans Litany

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[Verse 1]
AmIt's hard when Gfolks can't Emget their Amwork where they've been Gbred and Amborn
AmWhen I was Gyoung I Emused to Amthink I'd bide my time 'mid the Groots and the Amcorn
FBut I've been forced to Amflee the town so here's my litanGy
AmFrom Hull and GHaliEmfax and AmHell good Lord Gdeliver Amme
[Verse 2]
AmWhen I was Gcourting EmMary AmAnne the auld squire he Gsaid one Amday
AmI've got no Groom for Emwedded Amfolk choose to Gwed or Amstay
FI could not leave the giAmrl I loved so town we had to Gflee
AmFrom Hull and HGalifEmax and AmHell good Lord Gdeliver Amme
[Verse 3]
AmI've worked in GLeeds and EmHuddersAmfield where I've addled Ghonest Ambrass
AmIn Bradford, GKeightley, EmRotherAmham, I've kept my Gbairns and Amlass
FI've travelled all three Amridings round and once I've been to Gsea
AmFrom Hull and HGaliEmfax and AmHell good GLord deliver Amme
[Verse 4]
AmI've been through GSheffield Emlanes at nAmight 'twere just like bGeing in heAmll
AmThe furnaces Gthrust out tEmongues of Amflame that roared like Gwind o'er the Amfell
FI've sammed up coal in BAmarnsley pit with muck up to my Gknee
AmFrom Hull and HGaliEmfax and AmHell good Lord Gdeliver Amme
[Verse 5]
AmI've seen grey Gfog creep o'Emer Leeds BAmrig as thick as GBastille sAmoup
AmI've been where Gfolks are Emstowed Amaway like rabbits Gin a Amcoup
FI've seen snow fall on BAmradford Beck as black as Gebony
AmFrom Hull and HGaliEmfax and AmHell good Lord Gdeliver Amme
[Verse 6]
AmBut now my Gchildren Emall have fAmlown to the country GI'll go Amback
AmThere'll be forty Gmiles of Emheathery Ammoor 'twixt me and the Gcoal pit sAmlack
FAnd oft at night as I Amsit round the fire I'll think of the Gmisery
AmFrom Hull and HGaliEmfax and AmHell good lord Gdeliver Amme

All chords in this song (4)

Open

XO221O

Minor chord - Sad, melancholic sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

A minor

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

The Dalesmans Litany

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The Dalesmans Litany

by Christy Moore

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

Am G Em Am G Am

It's hard when folks can't get their work where they've been bred and born

Am G Em Am G Am

When I was young I used to think I'd bide my time 'mid the roots and the corn

F Am G

But I've been forced to flee the town so here's my litany

Am G Em Am G Am

From Hull and Halifax and Hell good Lord deliver me

[Verse 2]

Am G Em Am G Am

When I was courting Mary Anne the auld squire he said one day

Am G Em Am G Am

I've got no room for wedded folk choose to wed or stay

F Am G

I could not leave the girl I loved so town we had to flee

Am G Em Am G Am

From Hull and Halifax and Hell good Lord deliver me

[Verse 3]

Am G Em Am G Am

I've worked in Leeds and Huddersfield where I've addled honest brass

Am G Em Am G Am

In Bradford, Keightley, Rotherham, I've kept my bairns and lass

F Am G

I've travelled all three ridings round and once I've been to sea

Am G Em Am G Am

From Hull and Halifax and Hell good Lord deliver me

[Verse 4]

Am G Em Am G Am

I've been through Sheffield lanes at night 'twere just like being in hell

Am G Em Am G Am

The furnaces thrust out tongues of flame that roared like wind o'er the fell

F Am G

I've sammed up coal in Barnsley pit with muck up to my knee

Am G Em Am G Am

From Hull and Halifax and Hell good Lord deliver me

[Verse 5]

Am G Em Am G Am

I've seen grey fog creep o'er Leeds Brig as thick as Bastille soup

Am G Em Am G Am

I've been where folks are stowed away like rabbits in a coup

F Am G

I've seen snow fall on Bradford Beck as black as ebony

Am G Em Am G Am

From Hull and Halifax and Hell good Lord deliver me

[Verse 6]

Am G Em Am G Am

But now my children all have flown to the country I'll go back

Am G Em Am G Am

There'll be forty miles of heathery moor 'twixt me and the coal pit slack

F Am G

And oft at night as I sit round the fire I'll think of the misery

Am G Em Am G Am

From Hull and Halifax and Hell good lord deliver me

About The Dalesmans Litany Chords by Christy Moore

Learn how to play The Dalesmans Litany by Christy Moore with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Dalesmans Litany chords”, “The Dalesmans Litany guitar chords”, or “Christy Moore The Dalesmans Litany 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 Dalesmans Litany chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Dalesmans Litany lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, G, Em, F.

FAQ — The Dalesmans Litany by Christy Moore

How do I play "The Dalesmans Litany" by Christy Moore on guitar?

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Are the chords for "The Dalesmans Litany" by Christy Moore free?

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Can I transpose "The Dalesmans Litany" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "The Dalesmans Litany"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Dalesmans Litany" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Dalesmans Litany" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Dalesmans Litany" in?

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