It’s my 300th video on YouTube and I thought it would be appropriate to perform and show a frailing banjo lesson on the first Irish Pub Song that I ever figured out on my own. I love songs that tell a story and this is no different. The story comes from the 1798 Irish Uprising.

Grab your banjo and have fun!

Roddy McCorley MP3

Roddy McCorley(PDF)

RODDY MCCORLEY

Oh [G]see the fleet foot host of men who [C]speed with faces [G]wan

From farmstead and from [C]fisher’s [G]cot [C]along the [Am]banks of [D7]Bann

They [G]come with vengeance [C]in their [G]eyes. To [Em]late to [Am]late are [D7]they

For [G]young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the [C]bridge of Toome [G]today

Up the narrow streets he steps smiling proud and young
About the hemp rope on his neck the golden ringlets clung
There is never a fear in his blue eyes both glad and bright are they
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

When he last stepped up that street his shining pike in hand
Behind him marched in grim array a stalward earnest band
For Antrim town, for Antrim town, he lead them to the fray
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

There is never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray
Than he who marches to his fate on the bridge of Toome today
To true the last, to true the last he treads the upward way
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today