Tommy Makem

We Want No Irish Here

Tommy Makem


Tom: C

C
Our ship it docked in New York town
       F
And we took our bags ashore
     C
This was the land of the free they said
     G                 C
We'd see hard times no more
    F
But when we looked for work next day
   C
Wherever we'd appear
    G                  
The boss so proud, would shout out loud
C
"We want no Irish here"

[Chorus]
C
We have loyal hearts and willing hands
   F
Of work we have no fear
   G7
But when we'd ask for a job they'd say
C
"We want no Irish here"

[Verse 2]
C
We traveled 'round from town to town
   F
We traveled south and north
   C
We tried our best to get a job
   G                  C
So we could prove our worth
    F
But everywhere, it was the same
   C
We searched both far and near
     G
We'd get in line, then see the sign
C  
"We want no Irish here"

[Chorus]
C
We have loyal hearts and willing hands
   F
Of work we have no fear
    G7
But when we'd ask for a job they'd say
C
"We want no Irish here"

[Verse 3]
C
But prejudice soon fades away
     F
When you find a heart that's true
    C
And all we needed was the chance
   G                   C
To prove what we could do
   F
We fought in wars and drove street cars
      C
Built railroads far and near
     G
Were cops, wrote news, paid our union dues
C
Now the Irish are welcome here

[Chorus]
C
We have loyal hearts and willing hands
   F
Of work we have no fear
   G7
If you're out for fun or a job well done
C
You'll find the Irish here!