Lyr/Chords Req: Fairytale of New York

Subject: Lyr Req: Fairy Tale of New York
From: rock chick
Date: 30 Dec 02 - 05:11 PM

Can anyone help with the lyrics and chords for that beautiful song 'Fairy tale of New York' I would be eternally grateful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fairy Tale of New York
From: Noreen
Date: 30 Dec 02 - 05:35 PM

It's in the DT (unattributed!): FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
but couldn't find it straight away with Fairy Tale as separate words...!
Also available on the net via Google, in Ronan Keating's slightly sanitised version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fairy Tale of New York
From: Declan
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 05:02 AM

In case anyone doesn't know words are by Shane McGowan. I've been reading Christy Moore's song book and he has another name I didn't recognise and can't remember along with Shane's for this song, I'll take a note of it and post it later.

As for Ronan K's version he was explaining on a documentary that he changed the words of the song so as not to offend anyone ! This type of nonsense offends me, and I'm sure Shane and many others as well.

For the record, as far as I can remember he changed "You cheap lousy faggot" to something like "You're cheap and your famished" ! On the same program Phil Coulter said (very much tongue in cheek) that he thought the big achievement was to get Máire Ní Bhraonán to sing Merry Christmas your Arse! Also Kirsty was made chage the word to Ass for Top of the Pops.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fairy Tale of New York
From: caz2ufolk
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 05:09 AM

Hi rockchick I got the chords and lyrics on my webby. I'll see if I can do a 'blue clicky' link. If the link don't work the song can be located in the folk favourite section at www.caz2ufolk.com                  
fairytale

Carol

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK (McGowen)
From: allanwill
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 10:31 AM

#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##
From: [e-mail] (PERRETT,Andrew)

The Pogues - FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK    S.McGowen J Finer

G/D D G/D

Asus4/E D G/D                  D               G
             It was Christmas Eve babe In the drunk tank
          D                      G/A       A            D
An old man said to me, won't see another one And then he sang a song
             G                            D
The Rare Old Mountain Dew And I turned my face away
    G       Asus4/E D   G/A
And dreamed about    you

G/A            D                      G
       Got on a lucky one Came in eighteen to one
          D                      G/A       A
I've got a feeling This year's for me and you
         D                   G
So happy Christmas I love you baby
            D                G       Asus4/E    D
I can see a better time When all our dreams come true

G/D D G/D Asus4          /faster now/    D A D G A D


            D
They've got cars
       A
Big as bars
            Bm       G
They've got rivers of gold
       D
But the wind goes right through you
                      A
It's no place for the old
         D             Bm
When you first took my hand
    D             G
On a cold Christmas Eve
    D
You promised me
             A          D
Broadway was waiting for me
         D
You were handsome

You were pretty
                  A
Queen of New York City
         D             G
When the band finished playing
    A             D
They howled out for more
D
Sinatra was swinging
                         A
All the drunks they were singing
   D             G
We kissed on the corner
    A                  D
Then danced through the night
    G             Bm A
The boys of the NYPD choir
    D               Bm
Were singing 'Galway Bay'
       D          G
And the bells were ringing
A                D A Bm G D A D Bm D G   D A D
Out for Christmas day

D
You're a bum
         D
You're a punk
                      A
You're an old slut on junk
       D            G         A
Living there almost dead on a drip
       D
In that bed
    D
You scum bag

You maggot
                A
You cheap lousy faggot
      D             G
Happy Christmas your arse
       A
I pray God
         D    A D
It's our last

A            D
I could have been someone
         G
So could anyone
            D
You took my dreams
                     A
From me when I first found you
            D
I kept them with me babe
          G
I put them with my own
             D
Can't make it all alone
             G      A      D
I've built my dreams around you

G/D      - xx0433
G/A      - x05433
Asus4/E - xx2233 or 575785

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fairy Tale of New York
From: Big Tim
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 12:01 PM

Declan: the "other name" (joint composer) is Jem Finer, banjo player and founding member of the Pogues, described by the late Joe Strummer as "the Bill Wyman of the Pogues" (a compliment = the foundation that held up the rest of the band, "without him the others would just have floated away"). Shane wrote the lyrics and Jem chipped in with enough of the melody for official joint authorship, but, really, it's Shane's song.

Anyone recognise the melody as anything but original as many MacGowan songs are based on traditional Irish melodies.

PS On the recent documentary on the song, didn't Shane look great sober. "The best opera writer since Puccini", I liked that quote!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fairy Tale of New York
From: rock chick
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 12:32 PM

Thanks everyone for your help and the history bit, I'll try it out later tonight.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fairy Tale of New York
From: Big Tim
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 03:54 PM

According to "the docu" Shane had never been to NY before he wrote the song, the title of which was inspired by J.P.Donleavy's novel of the same name, but nothing to do with the book [great, great read]. So, it's about the "failed" Irish immigrants in NY, where Shane had never been.
So really, it's about Shane's alcohol fuelled emotions. (Hat's off to Kirsty too).

RC: good luck with your personal quest.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fairy Tale of New York
From: rock chick
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 06:53 PM

Thanks Big Tim, have posted letter to threee different prople in America so will have to wait and see.