Leather Wing Bat Lyrics And Chords

Leather Wing Bat 2/4 Lyrics And Guitar Chords (Traditional English Folk Song)
There exist different versions of this lively song, varying in the number of verses and the types of birds involved. Among others, this song was recorded by Tommy Makem on his album ‚The Bard of Armagh’. Tommy’s version uses different words than the one’s below and requires a capo on the 4th fret to play along. Chords by Marc. Sheet music for the tin whistle included.

Intro: (Am-G)-Am

(Am)"Hi" said the little (G)leather wing bat
(Am)"I'll tell you the reason (C)that
The reason that I (Am)fly by night
Is because I've lost my (Em)heart's de(Am)light."

Chorus
(Am)Howdy dowdy (G)diddle-umm day
(Am)Howdy dowdy diddle-umm (C)day
Howdy dowdy (Am)diddle-umm day
Hey le lee (long note!) -lee (Em)lie-lee (Am)low

Repeat Intro

(Am)"Hi" said the blackbird (G)sittin' on a chair
(Am)"Once I loved a lady, (C)fair.
She proved fickle and (Am)turned her back
And ever since then I've (Em)dressed in (Am)black."

Chorus + Intro

(Am)"Hi" said the woodpecker (G)sittin' on a fence
(Am)"Once I loved a handsome (C)wench
She got scared and (Am)from me fled
And ever since then my (Em)head's been (Am)red."

Chorus + Intro

(Am)"Hi" said the little (G)turtle dove
(Am)"I'll tell you how to win her (C)love
Court her night and (Am)court her day
Never give her time to (Em)say oh (Am)nay!"

Chorus + Intro

(Am)"Hi" said the bluejay and a(G)way he flew
"If (Am)I were a young man I'd have (C)two
If one were faithless and (Am)chanced to go
I'd add the other string (Em)to my (Am)bow"

Chorus twice