The Big Ships A Sailing chords by Traditional

Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)

Key: G

Difficulty: Novice

Verse 1:
G                D     G
Oh the big ship's a sailing far across the ocean
     D7         D    G D
Fare thee well lovely Annie I bid you a-dieu
   G         C        G
And I cant return where small birds are nesting
  C       G     D      G
Or take you dear Annie and make you my bride

Verse 2:
G                D      G
You remember dear Annie when we walked on the mountain
    D7         D   G    D
And we saw all those young men a marching away
  G       C      G
To fight for her country and free her from bondage
   C        G    D          G
When I left you dear Annie I went with them that day


Verse 3:
G                 D     G
We fought hard through winter and many died bravely
    7       D        G    D
And we thought of our loved ones, our country unfree
    G             C       G
And my heart nearly broke when I thought of the mountain
   C        G      D       G
Where I held you in my arms on that warm summer's day


Verse 4:
G                 D    G
But our names they were given by a Judas informer
  D7         D   G      D
I remember his face, he fought right beside me
   G            C      G
I was given the assignment to kill him one evening
  C       G      D    G
And bury his body in the deep flowing sea


Verse 5:
G             D   G
So now you know Annie why I must leave you
  D7            D    G D
And why I can't take you and make you my bride
   G        C     G
For I am in danger and fear every stranger
  C      G    D      G
In village and city who walks by my side


Verse 6:
G             D      G
So come with me Annie once more to the mountain
   D7            D  G   D
And walk with me slowly to the ship by the sea
  G           C      G
And let me carress you and kiss you and bless you
  C        G     D     G
For ever and always you'll be dearest to me


Verse 7:
G              D      G
Farewell to my homeland, my parents and comrades
  D7      D    G       D
The brave men who died and fought beside me
    G       C       G
To the mountains and valleys, the green fields of Erin
    C      G       D    G
May the young men of Ireland bring you liberty