Key: E
Introduction:
D G
My name is John O'Reilly and my father worked the fields
D A
In the hills of old Kilarny where I helped him turn the wheels
D G
My arms grew hard as iron for a boy of 17
D A D
And I used my fists for gambling on those wet Kilarny streets
D G
Well the ship left for America and I took my pack aboard
D A
Said goodbye to my dear Ireland said a prayer to my dear lord
D G
But I fought those sorry guineas in the kitchen they called hell
D A D
Well I fought them for their dollar and those guineas paid me well
D
Fair the well fair Dover
G
Fair the well your seasons turn
D Bm A D
For my pockets will be jingling on the day of my return the day of my return
D G
Well I fought in New York City and I fought the Jersey shore
D A
My gut stayed full of whiskey and my bed stayed full of whores
D G
Well they called my right a cannonball and my left they called the same
D A D
And I left them all lyin' half in blood and half in shame
D G
Well I met a man on 32 and he stuck out his hand
D A
And he offered me a thousand if I'd fall before his man
D G
Well I said it could be done but only for another two
D A D
And he smiled at me and nodded as I stuck it in my shoe
D
Fair the well fair dover
G
Fair the well your seasons turn
D Bm A D
For my pockets will be jingling on the day of my return the day of my return
D G
Well they rang the bell two times before I let him have my nose
D A
And I let him work my left until my eye was swollen closed
D G
Then I let loose a right that they still talk about today
D A D
For that guinea didn't know that I had bet the other way
D G
They covered every dock and every port there on the coast
D A
Looking for the double crosser who had turned into a ghost
D G
But I was on a train my friend that rode the other way
D A D
And I'll sail from California back to Dublin one fine day
D
Fair the well fair Dover
G
Fair the well your seasons turn
D Bm A D
For my pockets will be jingling on the day of my return the day of my return