The Rambles of Spring -
words and music by Tommy Makem, 1977
Recording by Jim Brannigan
Video with Tommy Makem
Sung by Stewart Hendrickson
There's a piercing wintry breeze / G / G /
Blowing through the budding trees / C / G /
And I button up my coat to keep me warm / G / G / D7 / D7 /
But the days are on the mend / G / G /
And I'm on the road again / C / G /
With my fiddle snuggled close beneath my arm / G / D7 / G / G /
Chorus:
I've a fine, felt hat / G / G /
And a strong pair of brogues / Am / Am /
I have rosin in my pocket for my bow / G / G / D7 / D7 /
O my fiddle strings are new / G / G /
And I've learned a tune or two / Am / Am /
So, I'm well prepared to ramble and must go / G / D7 / G / G /
I'm as happy as a king
When I catch a breath of spring
And the grass is turning green as winter ends
And the geese are on the wing
And the thrushes start to sing
And I'm headed down the road to see my friends
I have friends in every town
As I wander up and down
Making music at the markets and the fairs
Through the donkeys and the creels
And the farmers making deals
And the yellow headed tinkers selling wares
Here's a health to one and all
To the big and to the small
To the rich and poor alike and foe and friends
And when I return again
May our foes have turned to friends
And may peace and joy be with you until then