(For Declan Hunt’s version use capo on 4th fret)

 

It (C)hung above the (G)kitchen fire. It's (C)barrel (F)long and (C)brown

And one day with a boy's desire, I (G)climbed and took it down

My (C)father's eyes with anger flashed. He (G)cried "what have you (G7)done?!

I (F)wish you'd left it (G)where it was, that's (C)my old (F)Fenian (C)gun".

 

I (C)fondled it with (G)love and pride, and (C)looked it (F)o'er and (C)o'er

I placed it on my shoulder and I (G)marched across the floor

My (C)father's anguish softened and he (G)shared my boyish (G7)fun

"Ah, (F)well", he said "tis (G)in your breed like (C)that old (F)Fenian (C)gun".

 

I (C)remember sixty-(G)seven well when (C)lads like (F)you and (C)me

All thought we'd strike another blow to (G)set old Ireland free.

But (C)broken were our golden hopes I was (G)long months on the (G7)run

But it (F)did good work for (G)Ireland then that (C)brown old (F)Fenian (C)gun.

 

I was (C)down then in Kil(G)mallock t'was the (C)hottest (F)fight of (C)all.

And you’ll see he burned his arm there's a (G)mark still on the ball

I (C)hope the young lads growing now will (G)hold the ground we (G7)won

And (F)not disgrace the (G)cause in which I (C)held that (F)Fenian (C)gun

 

I (C)placed it o'er the (G)fire once more. I (C)heard my (F)father (C)sigh

I knew his thoughts were turning back on (G)days now long gone by

And (C)then I vowed within my heart I'll (G)be my father's (G7)son

And if (F)ever Ireland (G)wants my aid I'll (C)hold the (F)Fenian (C)gun.

 

That's (C)years ago I've (G)grown a man and I've (C)weathered (F)many a (C)gale

This last long year I spent inside a (G)gloomy English jail

I've (C)done my part I'll do it still un(G)til the fight is (G7)won

When (F)Ireland's free she'll (G)bless the men who (C)held the (F)Fenian (C)gun