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