Down By The Sally Gardens

(Words by William Butler Yeats; Music: Traditional)

Key of C, Capo 5, Open G (DBGDGD)

Much of Yeats' poetry is very lyrical and sets well to music. This is probably the best known example. Other poems by Yeats such as 'The Song of Wandering Aongus' (Donovan, Christy Moore), "The Stolen Child" (Danny Ellis, Loreena McKennitt), and "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (Joni Mitchell) are also good examples.

It was down by the Sally Gardens, my love and I did meet
She passed the Sally Gardens, with little snow-white feet
She bid me take life easy, as the leaves grow on the trees
But I being young and foolish, with her I did not agree

In a field down by the river, my love and I did stand
And on my leaning shoulder, she laid her snow-white hand
She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weir
But I being young and foolish, and now I am full of tears

It was down by the Sally Gardens, my love and I did meet
She passed the Sally Gardens, with little snow-white feet
She bid me take life easy, as the leaves grow on the trees
But I being young and foolish, with her I did not agree