[Am] Since you went away and the [C] rains came down

The [G] river wouldn't hold on the [D] north side of town

We [Am] tossed a lot of sand but the [C] river broke through

It [G] took the priest O’Donnell and the [Am] deacon too

 

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

 

[Am] No crops in the field, no [C] corn in the bin

None for [G] you or your brothers, or [D] any of our kin

No [Am] work in the mill, no [C] stew in the pot

The [G] lords fill their pockets while Irish [Am] corpses rot

 

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

 

[Am] To rise above the famine we [C] watched you sail away

To [G] seek a better life in A- [D] mericay

Now we [Am] wonder are you safe, we [C] pray you made the shore

Do you [G] think upon your parents who will [Am] love you evermore?

 

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

 

[Am] It was early last December that your [C] sister had to go

Be- [G] longings in a satchel, our eyes a [D] weepin’ so

Her [Am] heart she bore so heavy, the [C] weight upon her brow

To [G] comfort foreign sailors down in [Am] Dublin town

 

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

 

[Am] If ere you are returned from [C] far across the sea

You’ll [G] hear the souls of Éirinn cryin’ [D] out for thee

And if [Am] freedom from oppression we ever [C] do us gain

A- [G] mong those bravest fighters we pray to [Am] read your name

 

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

 

[Am] Since you went away and the [C] rains came down

The [G] river wouldn't hold on the [D] north side of town

We [Am] tossed a lot of sand but the [C] river broke through

It [G] took the priest O’Donnell and the [Am] deacon too

 

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?

     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?