D                                      C           D
There are wild and rocky hills on the coast of Donegal
                       D/F#              A7
And the fishermen are hearty, brave and free
        D                        C                     D
And the big Atlantic swell is a thing they know right well
        D/F#             A7              D
As they fight to take a living from the sea

[Chorus]
                                      G               D
With a pleasant, rolling sea and the herring running free,
                         D/F#                A7
And the fleet all riding gently through the foam,
          D               D/F#              G              D
When the boats are loaded down there'll be singing in the town,
         D/F#         A7                 D
When the boys of Killybegs come rolling home.

[Verse]
                                                   C                 D
Well, you've donned your rubber boots, and you've got your oil-skins on
                           D/F#           A7
And you check your gear to see that it's okay
          D                               C               D
And your jumper keeps you warm, for it's cold before the dawn
            D/F#       A7          D
And you're ready to begin another day.

[Verse]
                                      C               D
Now you're headed out to sea and the wind is running free
                          D/F#            A7
And you cast your nets as rain begins to fall
         D                             C                  D
But the sun comes riding high and the clouds will soon go by
       D/F#               A7            D
And to-day you'll may-be take a bumper haul.

[Verse]
                                          C              D
When the weather's blowing rough and the work gets very tough
                             D/F#             A7
And the ropes will raise the welts upon your hands
            D                          C           D
But you'll never leave the sea for whoever you may be
                  D/F#        A7              D
When it's in your blood it's hard to live on land.

[Verse]
                                               C                 D
Well, there's purple on the hills and there's green down by the shore
                            D/F#          A7
And the sun has spilled his gold upon the sea
             D                           C             D
And there's silver down below where the herring fishes go
        D/F#                     A7              D
When we catch them, there'll be gold for you and me.