If I Was A Blackbird  (Female Version)
Andy M. Stewart

Am                  G                                F
I am a young maiden, my story is sad
        Am               Em                  Am            Em
For once I was carefree and in love with a lad
        Am             Em            Am                 Em
He courted me sweetly by night and by day
         Am             G                                     F
But now he has left me and gone far away

Chorus:
Am                  G                                                         F
Oh if I was a blackbird, could whistle and could sing
       Am         Em           Am                  Em
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in
        Am           Em                    Am                   Em
And in the top rigging I would there build my nest
             Am            G                                               F
And I'd flutter my wings o'er his broad golden chest

Am                          G                                   F
He sailed o'er the ocean, his fortune to seek
                   Am                Em                   Am              Em
Though I missed his caresses and his kiss on my cheek
          Am               Em                     Am                   Em
He returned and I told him that my love was still warm
      Am                 G                                         F
He turned away lightly and great was his scorn

Am                   G                                       F
He offered to take me to Donnybrook Fair
     Am                Em                     Am            Em
To buy me fine ribbons, tie them up in my hair
        Am         Em                 Am              Em
He offered to marry and to stay by my side
      Am               G                                           F
But then in the morning he sailed with the tide

      Am                   G                                      F
My parents they chide me, and will not agree
                   Am                Em                           Am            Em
Saying that me and my false love married should never be
          Am                 Em                           Am                 Em
Ah but let them deprive me, or let them do what they will
                      Am                  G                                               F
While there's breath in my body, he's the one that I love still
 

Return to the Irish Songs
Return to Siobhan's Bard Book
Return to Dreamspinners Guild