Lyrics and Chords

Boolavogue

The lyrics to Boolavogue were written by one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters, P J McCall.

Boolavogue story
Boolavogue Vinegar Hill
Father Murphy
Videos
Lyrics and Chords
Lyrics and Chords print version

The song recounts the story of Father Murphy who won a serious of battles against British forces in Wexford during the 1798 Rebellion.

However, McCall didn’t write the song until 1898 – fully one hundred years afterwards.

The lyrics tell the story in the first person, as if the singer had taken part in the rebellion.

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The chords are presented here in D Major.

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Boolavogue lyrics and chords

 

At  

D 

Boolavogue as the  

Bm 

sun was  

G 

setting,

 

O’er the  

D 

bright May mea

Bm 

dow of Shel

Em 

malier,

G 

 

A  

D 

rebel hand set the  

Bm 

heather 

 

 

G 

blazing,

 

And  

D 

brought the  

Bm 

neighbours from  

Em 

far and  

D 

near.

 

Then  

D 

Father 

 

 

D7 

Murphy from  

G 

old 

 

Kil

Em 

cormack

 

Spurred up  

D 

the rock  

Bm 

with a  

Em 

warlike 

 

 

G 

cry,

 

Arm,  

D 

arm he cried, for I’ve  

Bm 

come to  

G 

lead 

 

you,

 

For  

D 

Ireland’s 

 

free

Bm 

dom we  

G 

will fight or  

D 

die.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He led us on against the coming soldiers,

The cowardly yeomen we put to fight,

‘Twas at The Harrow, the boys of Wexford

Showed Bookey’s regiments how men could fight,

Look out for hirelings, King George of England,

Search every kingdom where breathes a slave,

For Fr. Murphy from County Wexford,

Sweeps or the land like a mighty wave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We took Camolin and Enniscorthy and Wexford,

Storming, drove out our foes.

‘Twas at Slieve Coilte our pikes were reeking

With the crimson stream of the beaten Yeos,

At Tubberneering and Ballyellis

Full many a Hessian lay in his gore.

Ah Father Murphy, had aid come over,

The Green Flag floated from shore to shore

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At Vinegar Hill o’re the pleasant Slaney

Our heroes vainly stood back to back.

And the yeos at Tullow took Fr. Murphy

And burned his body upon the rack.

God grant you glory brave Fr. Murphy,

And open heaven to all your men,

The cause that called you, may come tomorrow,

In another fight for the green again.

Boolavogue story
Boolavogue Vinegar Hill
Father Murphy
Videos
Lyrics and Chords
Lyrics and Chords print version