THE PRICKLY BUSH 4/4 (Traditional)

For Furey’s Version use capo on 1st fret

 

Intro: G-G-D7-D7-G-G-D7-D7-G-C-G-G

 

(D7)Oh the prickly (G)bush

(C)Bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore

And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush

I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.

 

So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.

Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while

For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own father

Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.

 

Now (D7)father have you brought me (G)gold

Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?

Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,

Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?

 

No, (D7)son I haven’t brought you (G)gold

Or (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.

But (C)I must (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,

Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

 

But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush

It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore

And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush

I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.

 

So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.

Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while

For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own mother

Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.

 

Oh, (D7)mother have you brought me (G)gold

Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?

Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,

Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?

 

No, (D7)son I haven’t brought you (G)gold

Or (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.

But (C)I must (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,

Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

 

Some versions add corresponding verses with the condemned’s brother, sister, etc.

Repeat Intro

 

But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush

It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore

And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush

I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.

 

So (D7)Hangman wont you (G)wait and see.

Wont you (C)rest your (D7)hand for a (G)while

For me (C)thinks I (D7)see my (G)own true love

Coming over (D7)yonder (G)stile.

 

My (D7)love have you brought me (G)gold

Or (C)silver to (D7)set me (G)free?

Or (C)have you (D7)come just to (G)see me hanging,

Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree?

 

Yes (D7)love I brought you (G)gold

And (C)silver to (D7)set you (G)free.

But (C)I’ll that (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,

Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

 

Happy-end-alternative as prefered in most other versions:

...For (C)I won’t (D7)watch and (G)see as you’re hanging,

Hanging from the (D7)gallows (G)tree.

 

But it’s (D7)oh the prickly (G)bush

It (C)bears my (D7)heart full of (G)sore

And if (C)ever (D7)I get a(G)way far of that bush

I’ll never get (D7)caught any (G)more.