The Royal Chessmen are proud to bring to you an archive of song lyrics generally performed and sung at Faires. It has been our experience that, especially for new Faire goers, the number of songs can be daunting; to learn the words, monumental. Especially when trying to do it in one shot at a Faire.
As such, we have compiled the lyrics to many of the more popular songs here so that you can review them at your leisure (might we suggest prior to the Faires).
All songs are attributed to their authors (where applicable). In such a case, the author retains all copyrights to their songs, and we display them here only for the public to learn the song so they may participate during Faires.
Any song listed as “Traditional” has been found to be written too long ago to identify the author, thus many performers may perform it at a Faire.
However, over the course of the years, many of these traditional songs have been made dear to us by certain performers. At times, the lyrics may have been slightly altered by them, for the purpose of making them more enjoyable and more easily remembered. In respect to their art, we have listed the names of these performers along with the song title.
Here’s hoping this archive helps in learning the wonderful songs that contribute to the spirit of any Faire.
If you have any additional lyrics and/or songs that would better the archive please email me webmaster@royalchessmen.com. Thank you!
- The Chessmen Take the Field
- Amarili's Secret
- Arky's Toast
- The Ball of Balinour
- The Bard
- Barrett's Privateers
- Beer (Beer, Beer, Beer)
- Beggars to God
- Bonnie Broom
- Boozing
- Captain Jack and the Mermaid
- The Dark Lady
- Donald McGillavry (Traditional)
- Donald McGillavry (Empty Hats)
- Drunken Sailor
- Five or Six Constipated Men of the Bible
- Good Companions
- He That Will An Alehouse Keep
- Health to the Company
- Here's to the Grog
- If I Were A Blackbird
- Jack Haggerty
- Jack Stewart
- Johnny Jump Up
- Julian of Norwich
- Lanigan's Ball
- Mary Mac
- Mingulay Boat Song
- Minstrel Boy
- My Husband
- Oh for Me Grog (All for Me Grog)
- Parting Glass
- Queen of Argyle
- Ramblin' Rover
- Rattlin' Bog
- Roll Your Leg Over
- Sailor's Revel
- The Scotsman
- Spanish Ladies
- Star of the County Down
- Take Her In Your Arms
- The Three Song
- Tom of Bedlam (Bedlam Boys)
- Where The Sky Begins
- Wild Mountain Thyme
- Wild Rover (No, Nay, Never)
- The Witch of the Westmorland
- The Wraggle-Taggle Gypsies
- Wraggle Taggle Gypsy-O
sending...