Eamon Coughlan - A Matter of Course - Tunebook for Bouzouki

 Eamon recently release his tunebook with 26 original tunes he wrote in 2024 for his fortnightly tune project. 

Here's a link to a short video on youtube where he announces his book. Unfortunately I can't embed the video here.

You can order the book here.

Jimmy Ward's Jig - Matt & Shannon Heaton

A beautiful, well known Jig here played by Shannon Heaton, backed by her husband Matt on bouzouki. This is the warmup Jig at this VGS from Nov. 19, 2023. Delicate playing from Matt with lovely countermelody and second voicings. Jig starts approx. at 6:46.

This is the tab of the first round through the tune. You can download the pdf of the tab here. First line is melody, 2nd line Bouzouki.

Daoiri Farrell - Young Emmet - Lyrics and Chords

 “Young Emmet” is a ballad commemorating Robert Emmet, the Irish patriot who led a failed uprising against British rule in 1803. Written by Paddy Ban O’Brien, the song is a powerful tribute to Emmet’s courage and idealism. Daoirí Farrell recorded the song on his 2023 album The Wedding Above in Glencree, after first hearing it from fiddle player Kevin Glackin at a session in Dublin’s Pipers Corner.

The song begins in Green Street Courthouse, where Emmet stands trial for treason. Alone and defiant, he is accused of trying to free Ireland from “slavery.” The verses recount how he is unjustly sentenced to death, yet remains calm and proud, even as the noose awaits. Emmet is portrayed not as a defeated man, but as a heroic symbol of Ireland’s ongoing struggle for freedom.

Daoirí Farrell’s version highlights the emotional weight of the lyrics through a simple, dignified arrangement. His clear, heartfelt delivery captures both Emmet’s bravery and the sorrow of his execution. More than a historical account, Young Emmet serves as a lament and a call to remember those who gave their lives in pursuit of justice and national independence.

{t:Young Emmet}

{st:Daoiri Farrell}

Capo 2

Intro: 

[D/C#] [D] [D/C#] [D]

In [D]Green Street Courthouse in [D]eighteen and three

Stood young [G]Emmet the [D]hero true and [A]brave

For [D]fighting the tyrant his [D/C#]country to free

And [G]tear from her [A]brow the bonds of [D]slavery

{soc}

There are [A]still men in Ireland who are [D]loy[A]al and [G]true

Who [A]remember their patriots with pride

And with [Bm]God’s help young Emmet

We’ll [D]soon give to you

The [G]epitaph un[A]written since you [D]died

{eoc}

 

Well [D]alone and defiant he [D]stood in the dock

While Lord [G]Norbury the [D]hanging judge looked [A]down

All a[D]gainst his false charges as firm as a rock

Oh a[G]nother Irish [A]martyr to the [D]crown

 

{soc}

There are [A]still men in Ireland who are [G]loyal and [D]true

Who [A]remember their patriots with pride

And with [Bm]God’s help young Emmet

We’ll [D]soon give to you

The [G]epitaph un[A]written since you [D]died

{eoc}

 

Oh the verdict was guilty the sentence was death

And in [G]Thomas Street the [D]tyrant’s work was [A]done

Oh but [D]young Emmet smiled as he [D]drew on his last breath

For he [G]knew the fight for [A]freedom would be [D]won

 

{soc}

There are [A]still men in Ireland who are [D]loyal and true

Who [A]remember their patriots with pride

And with [Bm]God’s help young Emmet

We’ll [D]soon give to you

The [G]epitaph un[A]written since you [D]died

The [G]epitaph un[A]written since you [D]died

{eoc}

If you copy these lyrics and import them into an lyrics and chords app like Songbook you can see the chords above the lyrics, transpose etc. In the Songbook app you can define Bouzouki as instrument and it has chords implemented so you can see how to play them. You even can define your own chords, which is really handy sometimes. The app is available for most platforms.

Here I have collected some videos how this app works.

Daoiri Farrell - The Creggan White Hare - Lesson by Luke Ward

 

Luke Ward has released a new lesson on his patreon site. This month's lesson deals with Daoiri Farrell's accompaniment to "The Creggan White Hare". It comes really close to what Daoiri plays.

 If you're interested you could join his patreon, if it's only for a month or so. He has planned to offer two lessons per month. As this is the first lesson for October there might be the possibility that he might offer another lesson soon.

Vincent Fogarty - Collected Tabs

Vincent Fogarty 

Originally from Tipperary, Vincent Fogarty now lives in the heart of Ireland’s traditional music scene in Corofin, County Clare. A skilled bouzouki player, he is known for his clear, rhythmically precise accompaniment and his deep connection to the musical heritage of the west of Ireland.

Initially influenced by rock and blues, Fogarty discovered his passion for traditional Irish music in the 1990s. It was the vibrant session culture of Doolin that particularly shaped his musical path. Today, he is a regular fixture in the scene and frequently performs in well-known pubs such as McGann’s, McDermott’s, and O’Connor’s.

In addition to his solo work, Vincent is also a member of the band The Red Wellies, with whom he released a well-received album. His bouzouki playing is marked by musical depth, technical finesse, and a strong sense of collaboration—qualities that make him a respected figure in Irish music, both at home and abroad.

These are my tabs:

The Battle of Aughrim (with Charles Monod - Concertina)

The Nightingale (with Charles Monod - Concertina)

 The Cloonagroe (with Charles Monod - Concertina)

Hatao - Web App for practising tunes

You don't always have a melody player available to practise tune accompaniments. This web app can help. Hatao, a talented flute player from Japan, has put it online. He has recorded around 60 tunes. These can be easily found here using a search mask.

Here's the link!

Daoiri Farrell - Farewell To The Gold - Lyrics and Chords

 “Farewell to the Gold” is a contemporary folk ballad written by New Zealand songwriter Paul Metsers in the late 1960s. Though often mistaken for a traditional song, it was inspired by Metsers’ visit to the historic gold-mining region of Otago, in New Zealand’s South Island. The song gained wide recognition when Nic Jones recorded it in 1980 on his influential album Penguin Eggs.

The ballad tells the story of a failed gold prospector working along rivers like the Shotover and Cardrona. The narrator and his partner “Jimmy the prospector” dream of riches but find little success. Their hardship culminates in tragedy when a flood sweeps Jimmy away. The singer, disillusioned and grieving, bids farewell to both his lost friend and the dream of striking gold. The poignant chorus expresses a deep sense of loss and resignation: “Farewell to the gold that never I found... only when dreaming do I see you gleaming.”

Daoirí Farrell’s powerful interpretation retains the song’s emotional depth and haunting melody, helping to cement its place in the modern folk tradition. Though not centuries old, its timeless themes of hope, struggle, and loss have allowed it to blend seamlessly into the traditional song repertoire.

{t:Farewell To The Gold}

{st:Daoiri Farrell}

Capo 4

[D]Shotover [A]River, the [Bm]gold lies [F#m]waiting

It's [G]years since the [A]color I've [D]seen[A] 

And it's [D]no use in [A]sitting or [Bm]Lady Luck [F#m]blaming

I'll [G]pack up and [A]make the break [D]clean

 

{soc}

[A]Farewell to the gold that [D]never I [A]found

[D]Goodbye to the [D/C#]nuggets that [Bm7]somewhere are [A]bound

For it's [D]only when [A]dreaming that [Bm]I'll see you [F#m]gleaming

Down [G]in the dark [A]deep under[D]ground

{eoc}

It's [D]nearly two [A]years since I [Bm]left my own [F#m]mother

For [G]excitement and [A]gold by the [D]poun[A]d

With [D]Jimmy the pro[A]spector, Oh [Bm]he was [F#m]another

And to the [G]hills of [A]Otago we were [D]bound

{soc}

[A]Farewell to the gold that [D]never I [A]found,

[D]Goodbye to the [D/C#]nuggets that [Bm7]somewhere are [A]bound

For it's [D]only when [A]dreaming that [Bm]I'll see you [F#m]gleaming

Down [G]in the dark [A]deep under[D]ground

{eoc}

 

Well we [D]worked the Car[A]drona's dry [Bm]valley all [F#m]over

[G]Old Jimmy [A]Williams and [D]me [A] 

They were [D]panning good [A]dirt down on [Bm]winding [F#m]Shotover

So we [G]headed down [A]there just to [D]see

{soc}

[A]Farewell to the gold that [D]never I [A]found,

[D]Goodbye to the [D/C#]nuggets that [Bm7]somewhere are [A]bound

For it's [D]only when [A]dreaming that [Bm]I'll see you [F#m]gleaming

Down [G]in the dark [A]deep under[D]ground

{eoc}

 

We [D]sluiced and we [A]cradled for [Bm]day after [F#m]day

Barely [G]making e[A]nough to get [D]by  [A] 

And then a [D]terrible [A]flood washed poor [Bm]Jimmy [F#m]away

During [G]six stormy [A]days in [D]July

 

{soc}

[A]Farewell to the gold that [D]never I [A]found,

[D]Goodbye to the [D/C#]nuggets that [Bm7]somewhere are [A]bound

For it's [D]only when [A]dreaming that [Bm]I'll see you [F#m]gleaming

Down [G]in the dark [A]deep under[D]ground.

{eoc}

{soc}

[A]Farewell to the gold that [D]never I [A]found,

[D]Goodbye to the [D/C#]nuggets that [Bm7]somewhere are [A]bound

For it's [D]only when [A]dreaming that [Bm]I'll see you [F#m]gleaming

Down [G]in the dark [A]deep under[D]ground.

Down [G]in the dark [A]deep under[D]ground.

{eoc}

If you copy these lyrics and import them into an lyrics and chords app like Songbook you can see the chords above the lyrics, transpose etc. In the Songbook app you can define Bouzouki as instrument and it has chords implemented so you can see how to play them. You even can define your own chords, which is really handy sometimes. The app is available for most platforms.

Here I have collected some videos how this app works.

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Nia Ní Bheirn & Manus Lunny | Cork Folk Festival LIVE | TG4

Sometimes you come across wonderful videos on YouTube by chance. Here is a recording of a concert by TG4 featuring Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Nia Ní Bheirn and Manus Lunny from the Cork Folk Festival. 

Daoiri Farrell - When The Breakers Go Back On Full Time - Lyrics and Chords

Daoiri released this song as a single during Covid. He plays it on his Bass-Bouzouki in C without capo (with D shapes). As I don't own a Bass-Bouzouki I have to play it with capo on 5th fret and G-Shapes. 

This is the Covid Lockdown Version (Sorry for the bad sound, it is as it was )

{t:When The Breakers Go Back On Full Time}

{st:Daoiri Farrell}

Capo 5

 

{soc}

Oh, and it's [G]ah, sure if the news be true,

The store bills the first thing I'll [C]pay,

A [D]Grand parlor suit for the lounge I will [D7]buy

And an [C]organ for Biddy, [D]hurray ([D7]HOORAY)

Me [G]calico skirt I will throw into the dirt

In a new one I'll cut a [C]shine

And the [D]very next chance, I'll put Seamus in [D7]pants

When the [C]breaker goes [D]back on full [G]time

{eoc}

 

Oh, our [G]troubles are over, Mrs. Murphy,

The Dutchman next door tells me strai[C]ght

Oh the [D]mines, they go full time on Monday[D7] 

[C]That's what he says to me any [D]rate    [D7] 

And the [G]boss he told Michael this morning

As he was just enterin the [C]mine

That the [C]coal i[D]s quite scarce around in P[G]hilly [Em] 

And the [C]breaker goes [D]back on full [G]time

 

{soc}

Oh, and it's [G]ah, sure if the news be true,

The store bills the first thing I'll [C]pay,

A [D]Grand parlor suit for the lounge I will [D7]buy

And an [C]organ for Biddy, [D]hurray ([D7]HOORAY)

Me [G]calico skirt I will throw into the dirt

In a new one I'll cut a [C]shine

And the [D]very next chance, I'll put Seamus in [D7]pants

When the [C]breaker goes [D]back on full [G]time

{eoc}

 

I'll [G]ne'er put me hand in the washtub

The Chinaman he'll get me [C]trade

And I'll ne'er [D]pick the coal off the slate bank[D7] 

No I'll [C]buy everything ready-[D]made [D7] 

We'll [G]dress up our children like fairies

And we'll build a house big and [C]fine

And we'll mo[C]ve right aw[D]ay from the [G]round heads [Em] 

When the [C]breaker goes [D]back on full [G]time

 

{soc}

Oh, and it's [G]ah, sure if the news be true,

The store bills the first thing I'll [C]pay,

A [D]Grand parlor suit for the lounge I will [D7]buy

And an [C]organ for Biddy, [D]hurray ([D7]HOORAY)

Me [G]calico skirt I will throw into the dirt

In a new one I'll cut a [C]shine

And the [D]very next chance, I'll put Seamus in [D7]pants

When the [C]breaker goes [D]back on full [G]time

And the [D]very next chance, I'll put Seamus in [D7]pants

When the [C]breaker goes [D]back on full [G]time

{eoc}

If you copy these lyrics and import them into an lyrics and chords app like Songbook you can see the chords above the lyrics, transpose etc. In the Songbook app you can define Bouzouki as instrument and it has chords implemented so you can see how to play them. You even can define your own chords, which is really handy sometimes. The app is available for most platforms.

Here I have collected some videos how this app works.

Here's what AI found out:

🎵 Song & Lyrics Summary

Because the full lyrics aren’t generally available in public sources, what follows is a summary based on reviews, commentary, and what Daoirí has said about the song.

• Theme / Voice: The song is sung from the perspective of a worker (a coal miner or someone connected to mining / the coalfields) who is waiting for better days. The “breakers” here refers to the coal breakers — these are machines or processing plants in coal mines that break coal up and prepare it for transport. When the breaker is “on full time,” it means there’s full work in the mines, seasonal or temporary idleness is over, and full production has resumed.

• Desire & Hope: The narrator is longing for the return of steady work. When production is running full‑time, that means more income, stability, being able to meet obligations (pay store bills), better provisions for the family, maybe improvements to clothing or living standards.

• Relief from hardship: In periods when the breaker is not working “full‑time,” life is harder: irregular pay, worry, perhaps debt, worry about affording basic necessities. The song expresses hope for a change: that soon things will be better.

• Promises & Plans: The lyrics imagine what the narrator will do when work returns — pay the bills, buy a “suit,” dress the kids, improve the house, etc. There is a sense of celebration in anticipation: once the work comes, life will improve.

• Contrast & Tension: There is both hope but also doubt; because often in mining communities, promises of resumption of full work are made and then delayed, or conditions fluctuate. So the song reflects both longing and resignation, mixed with optimism.

---

 Background & Context

Here are important details about the song’s origins, meaning, and how Daoirí Farrell came to record it:

• Traditional / Folk Roots: “When the Breakers Go Back On Fulltime” is a song previously recorded by Frank Harte & Dónal Lunny, two well‑known figures in the Irish folk tradition. Daoirí’s version is a traditional arrangement. 

• Album & Timing: It appears on Daoirí Farrell’s single The Lockdown, released 26 June 2020. It was recorded live from his home during the COVID‑19 pandemic, as part of his weekly “Corner Sessions” live‑streaming performances. 

• Relation to Lockdown Experience: Daoirí has said that When the Breakers Go Back On Fulltime was chosen in part because its theme — longing for the return of steady work — resonated with many people during the lockdowns, when many workers were furloughed, unemployed, or unable to work. The song’s message parallels the experience of uncertainty, waiting for full normality to resume.