“Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore” is a song about saying goodbye and hoping for something new. Today, we’ll learn about this song and how to play the melody and guitar chords in DADGAD guitar tuning with this step-by-step guide.
The song captures the sentiments of the Irish people during the 19th century, a time when many Irishmen and women emigrated, primarily to America, in search of better opportunities and to escape hardships, such as the Potato Famine of the 1840s.
The song tells the story of a young man from Ireland who is about to set sail for America. As he stands on the shores of his homeland, he reflects on the beauty of Ireland, the loved ones he’s leaving behind, and the unknown future that awaits him across the Atlantic. Like many folk songs, there are numerous versions of this ballad, with different verses, melodies, and interpretations.
Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore is not only a reflection of historical events but also a testament to the human spirit’s resilience, the pursuit of dreams, and the deep connections we hold to our places of origin. It remains a popular choice for musicians, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by generations past and the universal themes of love, loss, and hope.
Song History
The specific authorship of “Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore” is uncertain, as is the case with many traditional folk songs. It has evolved over time through the oral tradition, passed down from generation to generation, with various singers and regions adapting its lyrics and melodies. Consequently, it’s difficult to attribute it to a single writer or origin point.
Often, traditional songs like this are considered to be “traditional” or “anon” (anonymous) because they have been sung and adapted over such a long period that their original authors have been lost to history.
So, while we can’t pinpoint a specific individual as the song’s writer, its lasting popularity is a testament to its deep roots in Irish culture and its significance in conveying the emotions and experiences of the Irish diaspora.
Before we learn the chords, let’s get the melody in our ears. Here’s my own version of the song in full.
And here is a slightly different version of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore which I collaborated on with House of Hamill, The Gothard Sisters, Runa, Emish, Socks In The Frying Pan, and Poor Man’s Gambit.
Step-By-Step Guitar Guide
In this guitar tutorial, you’ll be guided through the process of learning this classic Irish folk song.
The tutorial will include information about the song structure, chord progression, strumming patterns and melody.
As you follow along, you’ll learn how to play Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore and fully understand the way to play the song in DADGAD guitar tuning.
Strumming Patterns & Rhythm
Starting with the rhythm, this song is in 3/4 time. So when we strum the song we count 1-&-2-&-3-& for each bar.
(The numbers are down strokes and the ‘&‘s’ are up strokes.)
So 1-&-2-&-3-& would be down-up-down-up-down-up:
Tip: I’d suggest first practising this strum slowly to a set beat without playing any chords. Just nail down that percussive beat. Then start to speed up the tempo and hum the melody of the song in your head. Get that beat firm, and feel how the song fits solidly with it before moving on to the chord shapes.
Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore – Chord Progression
If you would like to learn the standard version of Paddy’s Green Shamrock shore, know that it has an A-B-B-A structure.
Here are the chords for part A (Each row has 8 bars and each bar has 3 beats as mentioned above):
The chords for the B part are:
Then when we put those two parts into the A-B-B-A structure we get:
(You can add in the G chord on the last bar of line 2 if you wish. I tend to leave it out, but either way works fine).
Tip: As you practice the chords and transition between them, remember to take your time, and don’t rush the process. It might sound counterintuitive, but this is the fastest way to get to where we can play through the entire song confidently without mistakes.
DADGAD Chord Shapes
To play “Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore” on the guitar using the DADGAD tuning, you’ll need to become familiar with the following chord shapes:
(Above you’ll find a few different versions of the ‘D’ chord along with a few different versions of the ‘C’ chord. You can choose which one best suits your playing style, or choose the one that sounds nicest to you).
Take your time learning each shape, it’s important to have each one ringing out clearly before moving on to the next. You want to get to a stage where the transition from one to the next feels nice and relaxed. That way when it comes to adding in the lyrics, it will feel much easier and natural.
My own way of playing this song in DADGAD has a lot of moving lines and picking patterns (Which I show in the video tutorial).
But this makes my own chord structure for this song a little different to the usual A-B-B-A form seen above.
If you would like to follow the video tutorial exactly as I play, there is only one chord progression line that I repeat, the structure is as follows:
But feel free to mix and match between this and the standard A-B-B-A version.
That’s the beauty of traditional Irish music, you can get creative with a song and make it your own.
So experiment and have fun with it.
Melody Line & Guitar Tabs
If you also learn to play the melody of the song it will give you a better understanding of the song’s overall structure and how each chord fits into that melody.
Here are the guitar tabs to the melody line of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore.
Practice each line slowly and then try to link them all together to a set tempo.
Use the tutorial video above to guide you on how to link these tabs to the chords of the song.
DADGAD tuning is unique in allowing you to have open notes ring out while you play melody lines. This use of melody and chords can bring new tones to songs that have been around for a long time.
So I would encourage you to play around with the song, try out new things and make it your own.
Once you learn the song in the key of D in DADGAD, you can then use a capo to find what key suits your own voice best.
Song Lyrics
The lyrics to Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore can vary somewhat due to the song’s folk origins and the oral tradition through which it was passed down, but a common version of the song is as follows:
(Verse 1) From Derry quay we sailed away on the 23rd of May
We were taken on board by a pleasant crew, and bound for Americay
Fresh water there we did take on, ten thousand gallons or more
In case we’d run short going to New York, far away from the Shamrock shore
(Chorus) So fare thee well, sweet Liza dear, and likewise to Derry town
And twice farewell to my comrade boys who dwell on that sainted ground
If fortune had ever do favor me or I to had to money in store
I’ll come back and I’ll wed the wee lassie I left on Paddy’s green Shamrock shore
(Verse 2) We sailed three days, we were all seasick, not a man on board was free
We were all confined unto our bunks and no one to pity poor me
No father dear, no mother kind, to lift up my head when ’twas sore
Which made me think more of the wee lassie I left on Paddy’s green Shamrock shore
(Chorus 2)
(Verse 3) We safely reached the other side in three and twenty days
We were taken as passengers by a man and led around in six different ways
So each of us drank our parting glass in case we might never meet more
And we drank a health of Ireland and Paddy’s green Shamrock shore
(Chorus 3)
Notable Performances
There have been countless performances of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore over the years, here are just a few to give you a bit of inspiration while learning to play…
Paul Brady
One artist who has had a significant impact on the song’s popularity is Paul Brady. His version of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore, released in 1978 on the album “Welcome Here Kind Stranger” helped to bring the song to a wider audience.
With his powerful voice and emotive delivery, Brady’s rendition has become one of the most iconic interpretations of the traditional Irish tune. His influence on the song’s recognisability and impact on the traditional Irish music scene cannot be understated.
Notably, his version from 1977 with Andy Irvine showcases his unique vocal stylings and captures the essence of the song’s theme:
The High Kings
Another popular group, The High Kings, have also performed their own version of this iconic song.
Their interpretation of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore stays true to the original melody while adding a modern touch with the group’s great harmonies and stage presence:
Seán Keane
Seán Keane also brings Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore to life with his soulful voice. His rendition of the song echoes the story of Irish emigration, invoking deep emotions and connecting listeners to Ireland’s history.
(Seán happens to be one of my mother’s favourite singers. Check out his version of ‘Stor Mo Chroi‘. Magic.)
Dan McCabe
Another adaptation of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore that’s worth checking out is that of Dan McCabe, who delivers a powerful interpretation of the song:
So “Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore” has been covered by a lot of talented artists, each with their own unique take on the Irish classic.
Give these versions a listen then try to take what you like from them to create your own version.
Conclusion and Final Tips
By now, you should have a good understanding of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore chords and lyrics, as well as the story behind the song. To help you on your path to mastering the song on guitar, here are some additional tips:
- Review the chords and lyrics regularly to become comfortable with the song’s structure and progression.
- Experiment with different strumming patterns and tempos to add variety to your performance. Once you feel confident with the basics, feel free to personalize your rendition by adding your own style.
- Familiarize yourself with DADGAD tuning, which is often used in Irish folk music. While this song is typically played with standard tuning, learning it in DADGAD can bring a unique flavour to your performance and provide an opportunity to challenge your skills.
- Explore other guitar techniques like fingerpicking, improvisation, and smooth chord transitions. These additional skills will enhance your overall guitar-playing abilities.
Before you know it, you’ll become proficient in playing this iconic Irish song.
Good luck, and enjoy playing!
For more Irish music inspiration, check out the blog post on “Spancil Hill Demystified: Chords, Lyrics, and Song Breakdown“.
