Showing posts with label Tabs for GDAD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tabs for GDAD. Show all posts

2 Oct 2025

Alan Murray - Collected Tabs

Alan Murray is a highly regarded guitarist, bouzouki player, and singer from Glasgow, Scotland, now based in the United States. Deeply rooted in Irish traditional music. His accompaniment style is known for its rhythmic sensitivity, subtle harmonic shifts, and strong grounding in the tradition.

Over the years, Alan has toured and recorded with some of the most respected names in Celtic music, including Battlefield Band, Eileen Ivers, Paul Brock, Fourwinds and Niall & Cillian Vallely. Most recently, he joined the legendary Irish-American band Solas, bringing his dynamic string work and vocal harmony to their rich and evolving sound.

In addition to performing, Alan is a sought-after educator, teaching at festivals and workshops across North America and beyond.

Here is a list of tabs I made during the past years

The Girls Of Grallagh (Colin Farrell Band)

Scully Casey's (with Eimear Arkins)

- Cunla (with Eimear Arkins)

John McHugh's Jig aka Kevin McHugh's (with Isaac Anderson)

- The Cotton Grass Na Ceannabhain Bhana (with Colin Farrell)

- The Penny Coin (with Colin Farrell)


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1 Oct 2025

Daoiri Farrell - The Shady Woods Of Truagh

 Here's a fine recording of Daoiri singing The Shady Woods Of Truagh.


Lyrics and chords:

As intro and accompaniment of the first verse Daoiri only uses 2 chords. I'm not sure of the names of the chords, I call them D7  (7,10,0,0) and Bm7 (7,9,0,0)

{t:The Shady Woods Of Truagh}

{st:Daoiri Farrell}

Intro:[D7no3][Bm7no5]



Out [D7]from the shady [Bm7]woods of Truagh

Mac[D7]Kenna rides at [Bm7]noon

And the [D7]sun shone brightly

[Bm7]Not a cloud dark [D7]in the sky of [Bm]June

[D7]No eye had he for [Bm7]nature’s charms

[D7]They don’t deny his [Bm7]brain

As by [D7]flowery vales he [Bm]makes his way

And [D7]never draws the [Bm7]reins



Until be[D7]fore him [G]looms the [C]tall grey [G/B]towers

Of [Am]Glaslough [C]Castle [D]Hold [Em7][D/F#]

Which [D]holds a treasure [C]in its [D]walls

[G]More dear to [C]him than [D]gold

For [D]within it dwells his [C]own true [D]love

His [G]dark eyed [C]young [D]Maureen

Who one [D]day he [G]hopes will [C]bless his [G/B]home

In the [Am]woods of [C]Truagh so [D7]green



I have come he cried to see you love

For tomorrow I must go

With my brave Truagh Men to Benburb

For to defend Owen Roe

I have come he cried to see you my love

And to hear your accent sweet

For I might in this battle fall

And never again we'll meet



Go forth my love, my blessing go

And smite that Saxon horde

And when you return

Oh, we will be wed without another word

And with a fond embrace

He's bid her adieu as the evening sun went down

Behind yon western wooded hill

That overlooks Glaslough Town



Oh MacKenna he lightly mounts his steed

At the twilight of the eve

And he heads her over Dasa Hill

And Truagh’s green shady Lee

And that night he leads his gallant men

O’er the dark hills of Tyrone

Where he meets the army of the North

At Benburb on their own



Right well O’Neill was glad to see

These gallant mountaineers

Who kept the Saxon wolves at bay

In Truagh for many years

And right well they fought on Benburb’s Plains

As the English flag went down

And few that night escaped them

Through Carrickfergus Town



Oh and Autumn’s cold was in the air

And berries ripe and red

MacKenna and his fair young bride

In Glaslough Church were wed

And never in her father’s life

A fairer bride was seen

Than McMahon’s only daughter

The dark eyed young Maureen


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I asked chatgpt to write a summary of the lyrics. I was really curious what it might find out. Here it is.


 Plot / Narrative arc
  1. The Journey & Love:
    McKenna rides from the woods of Truagh toward Glaslough to see Maureen. He’s not particularly distracted by the beauty of nature; his focus is on her. Maureen is more precious to him than gold.

  2. War is approaching:
    McKenna reveals he must leave soon. He is joining the “Truaghmen” in a battle at Benburb to defend Owen Roe (a historical figure). He fears he may not return; thus, he wants this last meeting with Maureen, wants to hear her accent, etc.

  3. The Departure:
    They embrace, exchange words of love, and McKenna rides off at dusk as the sun sets, passing through hills and woods on the way to join his comrades.

  4. The Battle:
    McKenna fights alongside O’Neill’s forces at the Battle of Benburb. They succeed, pushing back the English forces (the “Saxon horde”). The victory is celebrated, and the enemy banner is brought down.

  5. Reunion & Marriage:
    In the autumn, after the battle and passing of time, McKenna returns. He and Maureen are married in Glaslough Church. The song ends on a joyful note: love has endured, the hero has returned, and the union is celebrated.


🌲 Imagery & Mood

The song uses richly descriptive and romantic imagery to set both an emotional and physical landscape.

1. Natural Imagery

  • “Shady Woods of Truagh”“hill and hollow”“dewy meadows green”
    → These phrases evoke an almost dreamlike Irish countryside. Nature becomes a backdrop to McKenna’s emotions — beautiful, serene, but also tinged with impending loss as he must leave.

  • The ride through woods at twilight also symbolizes his emotional journey — moving from peace (love) into danger (war).

2. Romantic Imagery

  • Maureen is described with “dark eyes”, her voice is compared to “a thrush’s song”, and her kiss is like “honeycomb”.
    → These tender comparisons elevate Maureen into a symbol of purity, beauty, and homeland — something worth fighting for.

3. Martial Imagery

  • The battle is depicted with “O’Neill’s brigade”“swords and shields”, and “Saxon horde”.
    → There’s a clear contrast between the soft, gentle imagery of love and the hard, aggressive imagery of war. It underscores the sacrifice McKenna is making.

Mood Shifts

  • Opening mood: Gentle, romantic, nostalgic

  • Middle (departure and battle): Somber, brave, determined

  • Ending: Joyful, victorious, celebratory

The mood evolves with McKenna’s personal journey: from love, to separation, to return — mirroring a classic hero’s arc.



⚔️ Historical Background: The Battle of Benburb (1646)

This song doesn’t just tell a personal love story — it’s also rooted in 17th-century Irish history:

Owen Roe O’Neill

  • An Irish general and leader of the Ulster army of the Irish Confederate Catholics during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

  • A respected tactician and national figure.

Battle of Benburb (June 1646)

  • Fought between Owen Roe O’Neill’s Confederate Irish forces and a Scottish Covenanter army led by General Monro.

  • O’Neill decisively defeated the Scottish/English forces — a rare and important victory for the Irish at the time.

Why It Matters in the Song

  • McKenna fights for O’Neill and the Irish cause — showing loyalty not only to love, but to homeland and heritage.

  • The return after victory and marriage to Maureen signals hope for a better future, not just personally, but politically. Love and country are intertwined.


🎭 Final Thoughts: Layers of Meaning

  • On the surface: A romantic ballad of love, separation, and joyful reunion.

  • Below the surface: A patriotic ode to Irish resilience, identity, and sacrifice.

It fits well within the Irish ballad tradition — blending historical memory with emotional truth, wrapped in poetic language and melody.


If you find any issues here please comment and I will correct it.


28 Sept 2025

Macdara Ó Faoláin (Nuadan) - Collected Tabs

Macdara Ó Faoláin is a bouzouki‑player, multi‑instrumentalist and luthier from An Rinn, Co. Waterford. wlrfm.com+3The Irish News+3returntolondontown.org+3 

He is known for his innovative accompaniment style in Irish traditional music, combining deep harmonic awareness and delicate technique. The Irish News+3returntolondontown.org+3folkandroots.co.uk+3 

Mcdara has recorded and performed with many leading artists including Nuadan, Cormac McCarthy, The Friel Sisters, Derek Hickey and Nell Ní Chróinín. folkandroots.co.uk+3The Irish News+3Macdara Ó Faoláin+3 

As a native speaker of Irish, he also writes songs in Irish and builds instruments (mainly bouzoukis & mandolins), helping to sustain and evolve the tradition. The Irish News+2returntolondontown.org+2 

(written by chatgpt)

Here's a list of my Tabs:

- The Beautiful Goldfinch (Nuadan)

- The Muskerry Tram (Nuadan)

- The Stone Of Destiny (Nuadan)

- The Hills Of Larraga (with Oisin Morrison)




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Donal Lunny - Collected Tabs

 Here you find a list of tabs I made of Donal Lunny's accompaniments.

Intro to unknown Jig


You Lovers All (Frank Harte & Donal Lunny)








My friend chatgpt wrote a little text for me:

Dónal Lunny (born 10 March 1947, Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland) is a seminal figure in Irish traditional music—renowned as a bouzouki player, guitarist, composer, and producer. CFA Creative Futures Academy+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3

He was a founding member of several landmark bands, including Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Coolfin, and Mozaik. CFA Creative Futures Academy+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3 Lunny is widely credited with introducing and popularizing the flat‑backed Irish bouzouki—modifying its design (via luthiers such as Peter Abnett) to suit the demands of Irish folk accompaniment. Wikipedia+2The Irish Post+2

Beyond instrument performance, he has worked as a producer and arranger, collaborating with both Irish traditional and international artists, continuously innovating across decades. allcelticmusic.com+2Wikipedia+2


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Donal Clancy - Collected Tabs

The Maid On The Green






Dónal Clancy is one of the finest guitarists in Irish traditional music today. Raised in An Rinn, County Waterford, he comes from a legendary musical family—his father was none other than Liam Clancy of The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem.

Dónal began playing guitar at an early age and developed a style that blends technical precision with deep musical sensitivity. He was member of the acclaimed group Danú and has performed with The Chieftains, Eileen Ivers (Riverdance), and the Máirtín O’Connor Trio, among others.

In addition to guitar, Clancy plays bouzouki, mandolin, and other stringed instruments. His solo albums combine traditional ballads with elegant arrangements and modern virtuosity.

Through his music, he not only preserves his family’s rich musical heritage—he continues to shape and expand it.

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Brian Miller - Collected Tabs

Here's a list of the tabs I made of accompaniments by Brian Millar.


John McCormick & Mary Vanorny with Brian Miller - In The Tap Room

 Lillies In The Field

The Black Haired Lass

Bag of Spuds


Brian Miller hails from Bemidji, in northern Minnesota. He developed a deep connection to Irish music early in life and has become known as a singer, guitarist, and bouzouki player dedicated to reviving traditional songs from the Great Lakes region—especially ballads once sung in lumber camps, aboard ships, and along the railroads.

Brian has performed with several notable groups, including Bua, Two Tap Trio, Chulrua, and the Máirtín de Cógáin Project. He is also an experienced educator and has taught for many years at institutions such as the Center for Irish Music in Minnesota.

His duo project The Lost Forty, with Randy Gosa, focuses on uncovering and performing Irish-influenced folk songs from the northern U.S., combining music with rich historical storytelling and cultural context.

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Daoiri Farrell - Collected Tabs











Over the years, I have collected several tabs and chord sheets from Daoiri Farrell. Over the last 10 years, he has undoubtedly become one of Ireland's most influential singers. I first met him in 2011 at a weekend workshop and was impressed by his manner and musicality. At the time, he was still relatively unknown and had just released his first CD, which I had to purchase immediately. I still have a video of him playing my bouzouki from Heiner Dreizehnter and singing the song ‘Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore’. I had requested this song because he had sung it at the ceilidh the night before. You can also find this video on YouTube.

Here are the links to my tabs:

The Creggan White Hare

The Galway Shawl

Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore and here

Sweet Portadown

Boozin'

Blackwaterside / New Tabs!

The Wedding Above In Glencree

Tipping It Up To Nancy

Windmills

Bogie's Bonnie Belle

Galway Girl

John O'Dreams

The Galway Shawl - Intro and chords

A Pint Of Plain

Pat Rainey

McShane

Biddy Mulligan

The Mickey Dam

The Shady Woods Of Truagh




Here's a link to a concert I filmed with his Trio in 2019


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25 Sept 2025

 ‘A que por muy gran fermosura’ is the title of Cantiga 384 from the Cantigas de Santa María, a collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary written during the reign of Alfonso X the Wise. This cantiga tells the story of a devout monk who wrote the name of Saint Mary in three colours to honour her great beauty, and how the Virgin appeared to him in a dream to thank him. 


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The tab is in the video. I tabbed it with Tabledit. If you like you can download it here


24 Sept 2025

Daoiri Farrell - The Mickey Dam Lyrics and Chords

 One of the first songs I ever heard Daoiri sing back in 2011. I had heard the song before from a Duo at Irish Folk Festival some time ago but don't remember the names of the two singers.

First a video of Daoiri, I think it's from 2013 made in Elmstein, Germany.


A live version from around 2001, only audio.


A live version with his trio I filmed in Pforzheim, Germany in 2019




{t:The Mickey Dam}

{st:Daoiri Farrell Version}

No capo

Daoiri: nur D 7050 und C 7500 je 2Takte In Str. 1


I’m an [D]honest Irish Laborer and I [G]came from the County Clare

I [D]always had a little farm with [G]nothin left to spare

I [D]had to sell me donkey and me [G]famous billy goat

And [D]with the money I received, to [C]Glasgow took the boat


In the [D]morning, when I landed there, be[G]fore me hair got [C\G]dry

I was [D5]started [C]at the [G]Micky [D/A]Dam in a [C]place they [D/A]called Mull [D5]Guy

And the [D5]ganger that I started with, they [C]call him [G/B]John the [C]Mouse

And the [D5]very first [C]day that [G/B]I got [D/A]there, at [C]me he’d [G/B]start to [G]grouse


Well, I [D]quickly did surprise him and I [G]said, „“You little [C\G]rat.

I’ll [D5]tie a [C]string a[G/B]round you’re [G]neck and [Dsus4/A]toss you to the cat““

For I’m [D5]strong as any lion. I was [G]reared on eggs and [C\G]ham

I’m a [D5]terror [C]to all [G/B]fighting’ [D/A]man a[C]round the [D/A]Micky [D5]Dam


Well, this roused the mouse’s temper and at me he made to jump.

And he swore he’d paralyze me with the handle of a pump

But, I quickly surprised him and I grabbed him by the throat

And I shook that ugly monkey ’til the tail fell off his coat


{soc}

For I’m [D5]strong as any lion. I was [G]reared on eggs and [C\G]ham

I’m a [D5]terror [C]to all [G/B]fighting’ [D/A]man a[C]round the [D/A]Micky [D5]Dam

{eoc}



Well, the big hotels we’re stopping at, they call them navies huts

And the fleas and bugs that are in the bed are as big as coconuts

Of a Saturday night, when I get home, I stands behind the door

And as they come out, one by one, I bashed them to the floor


For I’m as strong as any lion. I was reared on eggs and ham

I’m a terror to all fighting me around the Micky Dam




Chords:
D5: 7,0,5,0
G/D: 7,5,0,0
G: 0,5,5,0
C/G: 0,2,3,0
C: 5,5,0,0 or 5,5,3,0
G/B: 4,5,0,0
D/A: 2,0,0,0
Dsus4/A (or A7?): 2,5,0,0 (A chord Daoiri uses often to lead from A to D)

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