The Irish Rover

by Irish Folksong

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Lyrics

In the (C)year of our Lord, eight een hun dred and (F)six, we set (C)sail from the Coal Quay of (G)Cork.

We were (C)sail ing a way with a car go of (F)bricks, for the (C)grand cit y hall (G7)in New (C)York.

We’d an el e gant craft, it was (G)rigged fore and aft, and (C)how ing the trade winds from (G)drove her.

She had (C)twen ty three masts and she stood sev ’ral (F)blasts, and they (C)called per her the I rish (G)Rov (C)er.

There was (C)Bar ney Ma gee from the banks of the (F)Lee.

There was (C)Ho gan from Coun ty Ty (G)rone.

There was (C)John ny Mc Gurk, who was scared stiff of (F)work, and a (C)chap from West meath (G7)named Ma (C)lone.

There was Slug ger O’ Toole, who was (G)drunk as a rule, and (C)fight ing Bill Tra cy from (G)Do ver.

And your (C)man Mick Mc Cann, from the banks of the (F)Bann, was the (C)skip per on the I rish (G)Rov (C)er.

There was (G)Rov (C)er.

The Irish Rover by Irish Folksong — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The Irish Rover” by Irish Folksong in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of C at 110 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "The Irish Rover" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "The Irish Rover"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.