The lyrics to the Dolores Keane version of Galway Bay were written by Frank Fahy.
Like the lyrics to the more famous song of the same name, it’s told from the point of view of an Irish emigrant abroad looking back to the days of his youth in Galway Bay.
Fahy’s lyrics were set to an old Irish traditional tune that may seem familiar because a version of it was also used in the Irish/Australian song, the Wild Colonial Boy.
The song is presented here in the key of G Major. Use our key converter to play the chords in different keys.
Galway Bay Lyrics and Chords Dolores Keane version
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[chordsandlyrics][G]It’s far away I [C]am to[G]day
From [C]scenes I roamed a [G]boy
And long [D]ago the [G]hour, I [C]know
I first saw Illi[D]nois.
But [G]time nor [D]tide, nor [C]waters [G]wide,
Can [C]wean my heart a[D]way
For [G]ever [D]true it [C]flies to [G]you
My own dear [C]Galway [G]Bay.[/chordsandlyrics]
A prouder man I’d walk the land
In health and peace of mind,
If I might toil and strive and moil,
Nor cast one thought behind;
But what would be the world to me,
Its rank and rich array,
If memory I lost of thee,
My poor old Galway Bay.
Oh, grey and bleak, by shore and creek,
The rugged rocks abound,
But sweet and green the grass between
As grows on Irish ground.
So friendship fond, all wealth beyond,
And love that lives always,
Bless each poor home beside your foam,
My dear old Galway Bay.
Had I youth’s blood and hopeful mood
And heart of fire once more,
For all the gold the world might hold,
I’d never leave your shore;
I’d be content with whatever God sent,
With neighbours old and grey,
And I’d lay my bones ‘neath churchyard stones,
Beside you, Galway Bay.
The blessings of a poor old man
Be with you night and day,
The blessings of a lonely man
Whose heart will soon be clay.
It’s all the Heaven I’d ask of God
Upon my dying day
My soul to soar for evermore
Above you, Galway Bay.
Galway Bay
Lyrics and chords
Galway Bay lyrics and chords print version
[G]It’s far away I [C]am to[G]day
From [C]scenes I roamed a [G]boy
And long [D]ago the [G]hour, I [C]know
I first saw Illi[D]nois.
But [G]time nor [D]tide, nor [C]waters [G]wide,
Can [C]wean my heart a[D]way
For [G]ever [D]true it [C]flies to [G]you
My own dear [C]Galway [G]Bay.
A prouder man I’d walk the land
In health and peace of mind,
If I might toil and strive and moil,
Nor cast one thought behind;
But what would be the world to me,
Its rank and rich array,
If memory I lost of thee,
My poor old Galway Bay.
Oh, grey and bleak, by shore and creek,
The rugged rocks abound,
But sweet and green the grass between
As grows on Irish ground.
So friendship fond, all wealth beyond,
And love that lives always,
Bless each poor home beside your foam,
My dear old Galway Bay.
Had I youth’s blood and hopeful mood
And heart of fire once more,
For all the gold the world might hold,
I’d never leave your shore;
I’d be content with whatever God sent,
With neighbours old and grey,
And I’d lay my bones ‘neath churchyard stones,
Beside you, Galway Bay.
The blessings of a poor old man
Be with you night and day,
The blessings of a lonely man
Whose heart will soon be clay.
It’s all the Heaven I’d ask of God
Upon my dying day
My soul to soar for evermore
Above you, Galway Bay.
Galway Bay
Lyrics and chords
