The Dubliners Gentleman Soldier
Em
1. Oh, the first of me downfall, I set out the door,
D
I straight made me way on for Carrick-on-Suir,
Em
going out by Rathronan, 'twas late in the night,
going out the West gate for to view the gaslight.
G D Em D - Em
Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.
Em
2. I went to the town's hall to see the big lamp,
D
and whom should I meet but a bloody big tramp.
Em
I finally stepped over and to him I said:
'Will you kindly direct me to where I'll get a bed'.
G D Em D - Em
Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.
Em
3. 'Twas then he directed me down to Cooks Lane,
D
to where old Buck St.John kept an old sleeping cage.
Em
From out of the door was a small piece of board,
hung out on two nails with a short piece of cord.
G D Em D - Em
Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.
Em
4. Well, I looked up and down till I found out the door,
D
and a queerer old household sure I ne'er saw before.
Em
Then the Misses came out and these words to me said:
'If you give me three coppers, sure I'll give you a bed'.
G D Em D - Em
Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.
Em
5. Well, I then stood aside with me back to the wall,
D
and the next thing I saw was an oul cobbler's stall.
Em
And there was the cobbler and he mended his brogues,
with his hammers and pinchers all laid in a row.
G D Em D - Em
Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.
Em
6. Then she brought me upstairs and she put out the light,
D
and in less than five minutes I had to show fight.
Em
And in less than five more when the story was best,
the fleas came around me and brought me a curse.
G D Em D – Em
Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.
Em
7. 'twas all around me body they formed a march,
D
'twas all around me body they played the Death march.
Em
For the bloody oul major gave me such a pick,
that he nearly made away with half of me hip.
G D Em D - Em
Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.
Em
8. Now I'm going to me study, these lines to pen down,
D
and if any poor traveller should e'er come to town,
Em
and if any poor traveller should be knighted like me,
beware of Buck St.John and his black cavalry.
G D Em - D - Em
Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.
(capo 3rd) (Dubliners)
