Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
This song is usually listed as traditional, but the geographic references tell me it is Irish.  I have heard it performed several different ways.  I used the chord progression I am most familiar with.  Another version is that of John Jacob Niles that he heard in the American Appalachians, and is even more haunting than this one.  Six Mile Bridge recently sucessfully recorded this to a rock beat.  Six Mile Bridge Version on their Unabridged Album   If you scroll down, you will find another version of this song.

Dm                Bb   C                            Dm
Black is the color   of my true love's hair
                      Bb             C     A7
Her lips are like some rosy fair
                     Bb                  C            A7
The purest eyes and the daintiest hands
                          Bb      C                          Dm
And I love the ground    whereon she stands

Dm             Bb     C                               Dm
I go to the Clyde      for to mourn and weep
                Bb    C                A7
But satisfied I never can sleep
                        Bb                C            A7
I'll write her a letter, just a few short lines
                        Bb    C                       Dm
And I'll suffer death     a thousand times

Dm            Bb     C                          Dm
I know my love       and well she knows
                  Bb              C            A7
I love the grass whereon she goes
                Bb            C       A7
If she on earth no more I see
                   Bb    C               Dm
My life will quick  - ly fade away

Dm              Bb   C                                  Dm
A winter's past      and the leaves are green
                         Bb          C              A7
The time has past that we have seen
                 Bb           C            A7
But still I hope the day will come
                        Bb  C                   Dm
When she and I         will live as one

Dm                Bb   C                            Dm
Black is the color   of my true love's hair
                      Bb             C     A7
Her lips are like some rosy fair
                     Bb                  C            A7
The purest eyes and the daintiest hands
                          Bb      C                          Dm
And I love the ground    whereon she stands

There is another version of this that is found in the Appalachian mountains.  It was popularized by John Jacob Niles and recorded by Joan Ritchie.  The words are a little different, as the tune, so I am including it here.

Black is the Color

Black, black, black
 is the color of my true love's hair
Her lips are like a rose so fair
And the prettiest face and the neatest hands.
 I love the grass whereon she stands
She with the wondrous hair.

Black, black, black
is the color of my true love's hair
Her face is something truly rare.
Oh I do love my love and so well she knows
 I love the ground whereon she goes.
She with the wondrous hair.

 Black, black, black
is the color of my true love's hair
Alone, my life would be so bare.
 I would sigh, I would weep,
I would never fall asleep
My love is 'way beyond compare
She with the wondrous hair.
Black, black, black
is the color of my true love's hair.
 

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