Chords Req: Bridget Flynn (Percy French)

Subject: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Edmund Flynn (inactive)
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:39 PM

I learned this song over 50 years ago, but didn't play any instrument then.

Now I play a little guitar and am trying to make a tape for the grandkids, but I can't even figure out a good FIRST chord for this song.

I know that it is a bother to write out chords for every lout who can't manage them on his own, but this song is one of my very favorites and I really want to include it.

Please .... please ... pretty please .... Edmund

---

Click for lyrics & tune

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:00 PM

Is that an O'Carolan piece?

If so I may have.

~S~

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Gary T
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:01 PM

I'm away from my guitar, but I'm pretty sure this is right.

  Verse:      
  Am G  Am -  
  C  G  Am -  
  Am G  Am -  
  C  G  Am -  
              
  Chorus:     
  C  -  G  -  
  F  E  Am -  
  Am G  Am -  
  C  G  Am -  

If that's not clear, I can do it again with the words. Figured I'd try the easy way first.

I share your love for this song. It has beauty on many levels. I hope your grandchildren come to enjoy it as much.

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Edmund Flynn (inactive)
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:52 PM

Sorry, Praise, I learned it from an Irish lad and had no idea that an author was even known. If O'Carolan is the author I'd sure like to hear some more of his/her work 'cause this is one of my favorites

Gary T. Thank you! Thank you! It all works for me except the second line in the refrain:

F G Am
"but a bachelor's life is easy and it's free"

I must be missing something because it just doesn't sound right. Am I doing something wrong?br>

By the way, a few of the lines in the version I learned are a bit different, and, to my mind, a bit better. If you are interested, I'll print them out here for your consideration. ........ Edmund

Please ... `play it again, Sam' ......... Edmund

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:05 PM

Edmund and Praise: Don't know the chords but I am rather familiar with Turlough O' Carolan's work and the tune doesn't strike me as his. He leaned very heavily to the classical influences of his day which at that point were mainly coming from the German states. I'll have to try and figure out the chords though. The song reminds me of an old love name of Mary Kay Flynn. Kindest reguards to all, Neil

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 07:52 AM

All I can add is that Tom Hall learned it about 40 years ago from Maggie Peirce of Belfast. And one of these days I'll tell Maggie about the circumstances of the first time Tom sang it to me!

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 07:54 AM

BTW, it is *not* O'Carolan. Are you thinking of "Bridget Cruise"? (either version)

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Gary T
Date: 26 Jul 00 - 09:32 AM

Edmund, you mentioned this not working: F G Am -

If you'll look again, you'll see I had this: F E Am -

The last chord of the first line ("maybe so") is a G. Then going into the second line it walks down to F (two half-steps) then to E (one half-step) before resolving to the Am. Apparently that lone E chord was "blending in" among all those G chords and got misread.

I'd be happy to see whatever variations you have.

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Edmund Flynn (inactive)
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 12:04 AM

Yes ! Yes! I'm in heaven ! It works! Many thanks!!!

Now I will give you the version as I learned it and will use capitols where it differs from the one I printed out recently (which may or may not be the version you use.

I've a nice little house, I'VE a cow or two IN grass
I've a PLANT'EN garden running by my door.
I've a shelter for the hens and a stable for the ass
SURE AND what could a man want more?

I don't know maybe so
But a bachelor's life is easy and it's free.
BUT I'M LIVING ALL ALONE, AND I'M WORKING MIGHTY HARD,
AND THERE'S NO ONE LOOKING AFTER ME.

NOW ME FATHER SAID ONE DAY I should go and have a try
To find a girl that owns a bit of land
And I know the way he SAID IT THAT THERE'S SOMEONE IN HIS EYE
And my mother has the whole thing planned.

I don't know, maybe so
BUT 'TWOULD COMPLICATE THINGS GREATLY TO A DEGREE
But there's little Bridget Flynn, sure it's her I'd like to win
But SHE'S NOT THROWIN' AND EYE AT ME.

Now there's a little girl who is worth her weight in gold
And that's a decent dowry don't you see.
And I mean to go and ask her just as soon as I GROW BOLD
IF SHE'D JUST THROW AN EYE AT ME

I DON'T KNOW MAYBE SO
AH .. BUT THEN HOW HAPPY I WOULD BE
And I'd sing like a thrush in the hawthorn bush
IF SHE'D JUST THROW AN EYE AT ME.

Thanks again Gary T. ... I, too, am "singing like a thrush in the hawthorn bush" for joy at having the chords.
Edmund

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Gary T
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 02:21 AM

Edmund, I haven't found your previous version of this. Is it somewhere here on the Mudcat?

I'll go ahead and give the lyrics I'm familiar with. I learned them from some Irish folk group's album--sorry I don't know who, but I can find out (my sister has the LP).

I've a neat little house, and a cow or two at grass
I've a plant garden running by the door.
I've a shelter for the hens and a stable for the ass
Now what could a man want more?

I don't know, maybe so
Now a bachelor is easy and he's free.
Oh I've lots to look after for I'm living on me own
Sure and nobody's looking after me.

Now me father often tells me I should go and have a try
To find a girl who owns a piece of land,
And I know the way he says it that there's someone on his mind
And me mother has the whole thing planned.

I don't know, maybe so
It would mollify them greatly to agree.
Now there's little Bridget Flynn, sure it's her I'd like to win
But she never has an eye for me.

Now there's a little girl who is worth her weight in gold
And that's a decent dowry don't you see.
And I mean to go and ask her just as soon as I get bold
If she'll come and have an eye for me.

Will she go, I don't know
But I'd love to have her sitting on me knee.
And I will sing like a thrush in a hawthorn bush
If she'll come and have an eye for me.

Looking at the lines you put in caps, I wouldn't be surprised if this is very nearly the first version you mentioned. But again, if it's different, I'd be curious to see it. I also found this song in the Mudcat database, and that version is somewhat different from these two you and I have just posted on this thread.

I'm glad you're happy with the chord sequence, and it's nice to know others take delight in this song.

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: alison
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 03:26 AM

It was written by Percy French (same as "Mountains of Mourne").. the lyrics Gary t wrote are almost exactly as it is written in the Percy French songbook... I'm sure I posted the tune onto Mudcat MIDIs... and there was an earlier thread

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: alison
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 04:34 AM

the only changes are in the first verse where the book says

for I've lots to look after and I'm living all alone
and there's no one looking after me.

and 2nd verse "bit of land"

and "have an eye to me"

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Edmund Flynn (inactive)
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 09:35 PM

Durn! I don't remember where I downloaded the copy from. Not even sure why I did, since I was happy with the version I had learned and only wanted to find chords.
The only thing that truely surprises me is the following

Now me father often tells me I should go and have a try
To find a girl who owns a piece of land,
And I know the way he says it that there's someone on his mind
And I know the way he says it that there's SOMEONE IN HIS EYE
And me mother has the whole thing planned.

It seems to me the rhyme should be: try .. land .. eye .. planned
And other verses follow this A-B-A-B pattern.
But who am I to say ... I never had a song book published.

Edmund

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Edmund Flynn (inactive)
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 09:53 PM

Question for alison

Amazon Books has Songs by Percy French on back order, but no description. .. could you tell me more?

Are his other songs good ones? Would there be guitar chords?
Just say the word and I'll go for it .... Edmund

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: alison
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 12:16 AM

Edmund, you are quite right it is

Now me father often tells me I should go and have a try
To find a girl who owns a piece of land,
And I know the way he says it that there's someone in his eye
And me mother has the whole thing planned

the book I have is "songs of Percy French volume 2" Keith Prowse Music Publishing Co, Ltd, London W1

there are no guitar chords but there is melody line and piano accompaniment, so you can work out the chords from that (if you can read music).

it has many of his well known songs in it:-

Come back Pddy Reilly
Eileen Oge
Gortnamona
Larry Mick McGarry
Little Briget Flynn
Mat Hannigan's Aunt
Mick's Hotel
Phil the Fluter's ball
Whistlin' Phil McHugh

but it doesn't have others like

Abdul Abulbul Amir
Mountains of Mourne
are ye right there Michael?

some of these are in the DT

Percy French wrote many wonderful songs....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Alice
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 01:21 PM

I don't know how I missed this thread the first time. I have a neice named Brigid Flynn, and I had sent her the lyrics to give to her boyfriend. Now I can send her the chords - thanks, alison, for the table of contents of the Percy French songbook.

Alice Flynn

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: alison
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 12:25 AM

I got a new Percy French book when I was home..... heaps more songs I had never heard of....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: Alice
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 07:53 PM

alison... don't leave me hanging. What is the title of your new songbook, and can it be obtained through the internet?

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: GUEST,Stephanie Bennett
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 04:27 PM

When did Percy French live?? Need this info to know whether this song is public domain (which occurs as you probably know 70 years after the death of the last living author) or not. Can anyone who owns one of thePercy French songbooks answer this? Thanks! I've loved that song for a long time. Stephanie Bennett

Subject: RE: chord req: Bridget Flynn
From: alison
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 09:49 PM

If you do a search for Percy French you will find info... but its more about his painting than his music....

according to my book he was born 1st May 1854, died 1920.

the book is

the songs of Percy French (44 complete songs with words, music and chords),selected and edited by James N. Healy

(originally published as "the first book of ballads 1955", and "the 2nd book of ballads" 1962)

this edition Ossian Publication Ltd, Cork, Ireland 1996

([e-mail])

OMB 115
ISBN 1 900428 25 3

slainte

alison