Irish Pub Song Guitar Lesson [Will Ye Go Lassie Go] Get Started

In this Irish guitar lesson you can learn how to play the classic Irish pub song "Will Ye Go Lassie Go", also know as "Wild Mountain Thyme". Watch the lesson here then download the sheet music and mp3 of the song from the OAIM website and get started learning this classic Irish song - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-ir...
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Full song demo
04:00 Explaining the capo, song key and chords
04:52 Fingerpicking pattern
06:08 Playing & singing the first verse
06:35 Learning the verse progression
07:50 Learning the chorus progression
09:10 Strumming variations
10:14 Practicing the whole song
11:46 Join OAIM to continue your learning journey
Course Synopsis: Ever wanted to learn some popular Irish songs? Do you have a guitar kicking around the house in need of a strum? If so, Jon's course is just for you! Learn how to accompany some of Ireland's best known folk songs using the simplest of chord patterns. Jon discusses various aspects of accompaniment on the guitar: strumming patterns, finger plucking techniques, the use of smooth chord transitions, hammer-ons, walk ups and descending chord patterns. Most of the emphasis is on the guitar accompaniment rather than vocal technique.
www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-ir...
Songs include Spancil Hill, The Irish Rover, Foggy Dew, The Cliffs of Dooneen, Whiskey in the Jar, Galway Bay, The Lakes of Pontchartrain, The Parting Glass, Red Rose Cafe, Dirty Old Town, The Spanish Lady, Fiddler's Green and Will Ye Go Lassie Go.
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Learn Irish songs from the comfort of your own home, at a pace you are comfortable with, and at a time that suits you.

[@jacoblindahl3206]

I know this is an old video, but I’m listening to this on my break at work and I can feel all the stress washing away when he plays. Absolutely beautiful

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Nice :)

[@rajmaharjan9270]

I am from nepal and if by any chances I met with an irish person , I wouldn't leave the person without hugging him ! love irish people...love irish music !

[@Jayveel]

Only got a guitar yesterday and nearly know how to play this song already! Excellent and easy tutorial! And a great teacher and musician/singer!

[@annbrett9557]

John....I enjoy playing and singing along with you...ThankYou ..You have a lovely relaxed way of teaching simple guitar ☘️☘️

[@cecircinn2908]

The Braes o' Balquhidder By Robert Tannahill, of Paisley Scotland June 3, 1774 - May 17, 1810 over 100 years before supposedly written in Ireland...that said well done on a great version and lesson :-) LYRICS: Let us go, lassie, go Tae the braes o' Balquhidder Whar the blueberries grow 'Mang the bonnie Hielan' heather Whar the deer and the rae Lichtly bounding thegither Sport the lang summer day On the braes o' Balquhidder I will twin thee a bow'r By the clear silver fountain And I'll cover it o'er Wi' the flooers o' the mountain I will range through the wilds And the deep glens sae dreary And return wi' their spoils Tae the bow'r o' my dearie When the rude wintry win' Idly raves roun' oor dwellin' And the roar o' the linn On the nicht breeze is swellin' So merrily we'll sing As the storm rattles o'er us Till the dear shielin' ring Wi' the licht liltin' chorus Noo the summers in prime Wi' the flooers richly bloomin' Wi' the wild mountain thyme A' the moorlan's perfumin' Tae oor dear native scenes Let us journey thegither Whar glad innocence reigns 'Mang the braes o' Balquhidder

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi David, Thanks for this !! We absolutely LOVE this song - what's your favorite recording of the Scottish version?

[@cecircinn2908]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZbbo52QeKujha8 is a nice version of "The braes" but I'm struggling to remember the name of the artiste for my actual favourite version of it although I can sort of still hear it in my head - slower and hauntingly beautiful. I'll be be back when I find it . Carry on the good work , Sláinte

[@jackhall1575]

The Corries kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnzZc2adaK14hrM

[@adrian_V99]

well unravel these lyrics, laddie! Keen blaws the win' o'er the braes o' Glennifer The auld castle's turrets are covered wi' snaw How changed frae the time when I met wi' my lover Amang the brume bushes by Stanley green shaw The wild flowers o' simmer were spread a' sae bonnie The Mavis sang sweet frae the green birkin tree But far to the camp they ha'e marched my dear Johnnie Like Robert Burns, Tannahill collected and adapted traditional songs, and "The Braes Of Balquhither" may have been based on the traditional song "The Braes O' Bowhether".

[@ramii1988]

Finally figured out what that irish fella sang years ago at the pub, a beautiful tune gonna go learn it.

[@tomkeefe2051]

Thank you very much,I'm going to include this in my song set when I play out as well. thank you.

[@Spreadswings]

You did a great job with this lesson. Elegant, simple, complete.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it, thanks for letting us know. Lot's more songs from Jon on the OAIM.ie website @ oaim.ie/course/35/popular_irish_pub_songs

[@JessySons]

Thank you so much for sharing this. You've made a difference in someone else's life today.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Everyone :) Thanks for all the comments and likes - Please feel free to ask any questions about this song lesson or about Irish music in general and we'll get back to you straight away. Remember to subscribe to our channel and click the bell to get notified of our new video releases.

[@WinsomeJohnny]

The end exercise where he sings unaccompanied is a very cool exercise for the student. Really makes you stepup and build confidence to play with a live singer in the future.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Johnny, Glad you like it! Thanks for the comment. There are many more songs like this on the site - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@Michajeru]

The song is actually a Scottish song. Of course it is sung in pubs and clubs around the world as are many beautiful Scottish songs. I first heard it sung in Australia in pubs and folk clubs.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

It's Irish haha

[@mARTin041140]

thanks load finally for a quality lesson truely embracing you students. I can play this beautiful song now whoooooooooooo hooooooo

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Congratulations!! There are many more brilliant Irish songs to be learned on the OAIM website. Check them out here - oaim.ie/popular-irish-pub-songs

[@smcgregor72]

man,i didnt watch his hands first few times,bro you have a wonderfull celtic voice,nearly hipotic,awesome

[@vickycampbell6311]

Nicely done, thank you very much. I love this song! :)

[@Punk3rify]

Love this lesson, thank you very much ✌

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You're welcome - you can learn many more songs from Jono on the www.oaim.ie website - check it out!

[@irishfield1]

This Gorgeous ever Jon you amazing here great lesson ever thank you

[@lucaszubiarrain6231]

O the summer time has come And the trees are sweetly bloomin' And the wild mountain thyme Grows around the bloomin' heather Will ye go Lassie Go? Chorus: And we'll all go together To pull wild mountain thyme All around the bloomin' heather Will ye go Lassie Go? I will build my love a bower (summerhouse) By yon cool crystal fountain And round it I will pile All the wild flowers o' the mountain Will ye go Lassie Go? (chorus) I will range through the wilds And the deep glen sae dreamy And return wi' their spoils Tae the bower o' my dearie Will ye go Lassie Go? (chorus) If my true love she'll not come Then I'll surely find another To pull wild mountain thyme All around the bloomin' heather Will ye go Lassie Go? (chorus)

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Beautiful Lucas

[@TheRedflash777]

Icredibly beautiful. I gonna learn this song inspired by your singing, thank you!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you like it !

[@jaketaylor3045]

This was fantastic, really nice easy route into trad, beautiful. Great voice too!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Jake, delighted you liked it ! Lot's more songs from Jon on the site - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@CSchaef02]

Great lesson, thank you!!

[@Superkav83]

Great voice.

[@RooFlanderz82]

amazing voice and playing

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Jon is a cool guy and a great teacher - thanks for the feedback :)

[@freshofftheufo]

great lesson and beautiful voice. thanks!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

+freshofftheufo Glad you liked it, thanks for letting us know. Lot's more songs from Jon on the site @ oaim.ie/course/35/popular_irish_pub_songs

[@ScatterBrained1986]

I'm happy you made it easy to learn. I tried other tutorials on KZbin and I don't want to do solo guitar because I like to sing and I can't finger pick with my sausage fingers. So for an awful guitarist like me this is great! Thank you.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, there are lot's more easy pub songs on the site - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@colinmcphedran5299]

Beautiful.

[@RavensVrecording]

Great job, Thanks

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You can find it on the OAIM website - Create a free account and go to the guitar page where you'll find this lesson and download it free from there..

[@deanfeldman2505]

Awesome! Thanks

[@addo64]

Dude, thanks for singing without the guitar👍🏻 makes it so much easier to learn how to play and sing. Perfect.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

You can find lot's more songs to learn with Jon here - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@GudGudTheKid]

Scottish song but I'll let you have it 😉 great video

[@truesurrealist]

Super job 👍

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you enjoyed it ! Lot's more songs to learn from Jon - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@mitchellkaye9619]

Beautifully done, thank you

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Mitch, Thanks ! More here - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@marcmaclellan3503]

going to join brilliant

[@eamonnobrien1410]

Thanks very much great lesson

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

My pleasure! www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@ruthcasement5844]

Nice easy lesson great

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks! 😃 There's lot's more easy Irish songs on the site - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@1chriscarlone]

Thanks so much. Fantastic.

[@eamonnobrien1410]

Great song thanks very much

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Eamonn, learn lot's more pub songs with Jon here - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@smallriversfury23]

nice one fella!!!!!

[@mjasontimmons1992]

Well done. Many thanks

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Our pleasure!

[@morganowen875]

nice one ! thanks for that

[@intgoatbreeder]

Great voice, mate!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks! Did you get the song?

[@oxfords1]

Wow, you are amazing, your voice does this song justice. We traveled to Ireland in 2016 and haven't been the same since we returned. We fell in love with the beautiful unspoiled land, the villages, the music, and most of all the people. They were so incredibly kind and loved to stop us just to talk. I'm a beginner guitarist, and I haven't gotten through the whole video but we're not on the Capo yet. What are the other chords without a capo. Thank you

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

There's more content on the course page (mp3's and sheet / chords) - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@oxfords1]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic thank you so much

[@lobsterpots1]

that was deadly craic nice one for that i loved the lesson and not just cuz im irish ;)

[@haraldstein7447]

Can you do Hush Hush as played by Eddie and Finbar Furey? Love it.

[@John-Evans]

The song comes from the custom of young Scottish women picking and wearing Thyme to signify they are “ready” to start “courting”. The young men would present the girls with wild flowers in order to indicate that they wanted to go out with them. The author of the song was clearly impatient for the girl to pick wild mountain thyme and was greatly wishing to show his affection to her by “building a bower of flowers” not just a bunch. A beautiful Scottish custom.

[@robertmurphy1299]

This is a Scottish song!

[@nvdawahyaify]

I only have one I can think of off hand and thats the foggy dew. I dont know the chords for that song as I normally just play the melody. the key I play it in is E minor but the melody starts on B which is the fifth of that key.

[@kimberley7300]

I rewatched the video of Joan Baez singing it and decided it was time to learn it

[@Guardiola075]

Merci.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Lot's more songs from Jon here - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@m6h3r]

wish for more from Jon

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi, Jon has another 12 songs on the site - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@sesa1076]

Beautiful voice ...great version. I've recently started taking my fiancée to a session here in Boston, as she is a beginning fiddler. I used to go to it years ago when it was more of a singing group. I've been playing guitar for over 25 years now but always have trouble adjusting to the rythyms and time signatures of trad. Any specific resources you think might help?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Here's a great tutorial for standard players. Let me know if it helps - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4OxeqOYmcpljbs

[@thelastwaltz9813]

Van Morrison - Purple Heather

[@TundraCH]

Got that Alan Cumming look going on.

[@andrewkellers9275]

☺☺☺☺..I would like to see the cords ..say bottom right as he plays...however still loved it....stripped down songs have a charm of their own....☺

Irish? Scottish? 🙄Beautiful, only! 🤗 I'm Brasilian and I love it!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Mapa, glad you like it - did you learn the song?

@@onlineacademyofirishmusic so, so...

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Have you been practicing?

[@mallard1972]

could you do carrickfergus

[@kjd4084]

Any chance of getting the chord progression for this?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

No, it's standard tuning.

[@Sh0rtfu5e]

ive been trying to master this song, but could you tell me the beats etc. like how many beats in C, F A etc.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

I don't quite understand your question. If you go to the OAIM website - www.oaim.ie/popular-irish-pub-songs there is all the information you need to learn the song. There is a pdf of the chords and an mp3 of the song. Please let me know if that helps..

[@robertcrowther6134]

+irishmusicacademy I too have been trying to find out how many times each chord is played and for how long through the chord progression think a pdf giving the notation would help .the site only gives the chord adjacent to the corresponding words in the song

[@fenderflyer]

Hi John, Really enjoyed the video. I have been trying to learn the guitar for about 5 years and I have a reasonable command of the instrument but I can't play in front of anyone, I don't have any confidence. I am an Irish man living in Spain and I would love to conquer this fear. Would you have any suggestions. Kind regards. Greg.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Greg, Do you have any other people close by to play / learn music with? Perhaps a 1 - 1 teacher would help. You could learn some Spanish guitar pieces and slowly build for there. Play with tutor > play with friends > play in public. There is a great pdf to download here on this topic and also a course I think - playinthezone.com/ Let us know if that helps and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any other questions.

[@fenderflyer]

Thank you very much John. Take care.

[@philliwilli964]

Would you please tell me the name of the song from the intro`? Please!

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

That's the Ashplant :)

[@DG-mv6zw]

It's not Irish. It's a Scottish song written by the poet Robert Tannahill from Paisley, Central Scotland. I live a short walk from his house. Obviously he's no longer there! 😄 That being said, I really enjoyed your playing and the tutorial. Many thanks 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@tomkeefe2051]

what is a "bower"? Beautiful song

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you like the song - A bower is a shady place.

[@SonjaSannert]

🙏🙏🙏

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Hi Sonja, there's lot's more pub songs to learn on the site here - www.oaim.ie/guitar/popular-irish-pub-songs/

[@catherineannemccloskey-ros9500]

The words to "Wild Mountain Time" or "Will Ye Go Lassie, Go". were written in the 1950s by Francis McPeak of Belfast. He based the tune on the"The Braes of Balquhither" by Robert Tannehill, the Scottish poet who wrote his song in the late 1700s. The melody is not the same, but very similar. Wild Mountain Time is an Irish song. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Mountain_Thyme

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Thanks for the history :) Any thoughts now you Scots?

[@catherineannemccloskey-ros9500]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusicMusic my father was a Scots-Irish American and I certainly sing as many Scottish songs as I do Irish ones. Here is a song I need to learn, kzbin.info/www/bejne/honEaYefiK6MsNU. The Braes O'Balquhidder done appropriately by the Tannehill Weavers. Like the Tannies, I will go right on doing Wild Mountain Time as well. Cheers.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Love that song! Also love the Scottish tunes :)

[@catherineannemccloskey-ros9500]

@@onlineacademyofirishmusicMusic who are your favorite Scottish group. Mine are Silly Wizard and the Tannehill Weavers. Alas, the Wizard is no more with two members passing away.

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Silly Wizard for me too. Amazing music.

[@nvdawahyaify]

hi I have been wondering this for some time now, why do some irish songs begin and end on the fifth instead of the root of the scale?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Could you give examples or the names of songs, as most of the songs or tunes I know start and end on the root chord.

[@freddiemercerful]

Most of the chord versions online go to the Dm for the 'blooming heather bit, but yours doesn't for some reason? I am a bit confised as to what you do there do you just stay on the F? Thanks in advance for your help!

[@52Paddy1991]

freddiemercerful Hi freddiemercerful. Both of these chords are an option depending on what you prefer the sound of. The reason why both work is because Dm is what's known as the "relative minor" chord of F major. It basically refers to the fact that the scales of F major and D minor have the same amount of flats (in this case, one - Bb).

[@freddiemercerful]

Patrick Cummins Hi Patrick, I see and I didn't realise that, to be honest my music theory is pretty poor but thanks a lot for telling me that! So am I right in saying that the relative minor is always three semitones below the major chord? For example is the relative minor of C Am and of G Em? I know C/Am is quite a common combo including of course for this song which would explain a lot! Thanks for your reply and for the great videos btw!

[@52Paddy1991]

freddiemercerful You are absolutely right - there are three semitone steps between the major and relative minor. This interval is called a "minor 3rd" or, inverted, is known as a "major 6th". And thanks for the kind words, I hope you are enjoying OAIM.

[@freddiemercerful]

Hi Patrick, Ah right I see that makes sense, it's all coming together a bit for me now! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, it's very decent of you! Best wishes, Johnny

[@hodge1970ify]

I can see phill lynot with thin lizzy doing this song!

[@danielboudreau6001]

what's the tune that plays before the lesson starts?

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Love it - It's called the Ashplant, you can hear a longer version on our web site home page in Muireann's video - oaim.ie/

[@mauricemoore3746]

Wow , You Have the same accent as Phil Lynott/ Are you from Dublin?

[@cjwaywell]

That was very sweet but I just want to learn to speak with that accent so I can get the girls.....lol

[@WinsomeJohnny]

It works for me and I'm Filipino and Black but the girls love the accent anyway!

[@jeffreyeaston5932]

I like your blazer

[@ruthgraham4313]

hi

[@merbertpinat1759]

Do I need to tune my guitar to D A D G A D

[@rockinbobokkin7831]

Dang it. I'd have to transpose that. Got no capo

[@onlineacademyofirishmusic]

Glad you liked it !

[@MrShibbyMike]

If you have no capo. Get a pencil and a hair band or two. Put the pencil on the strings and stretch the hairband over the top and bottom of the pencil. May need to be twisted. Handy for desperate times 👍🏻

[@lowellirish]

Very popular SCOTTISH song...yes.... Otherwise...it would sound like this: "And we'll all go together...and pluck shamrocks by the dozen..." 🤣

[@Dazzletoad]

I honestly thought you were gping to say, I'm John O'Connel, and I'm drunk.'

[@porterhall27]

it is Scottish

[@heathsavage4852]

"Wild Mountain Thyme" (Will Ye Go Lassie Go?) is a Scottish song, not Irish.

[@Yaketyyak21]

Who told you that..

[@heathsavage4852]

@@Yaketyyak21 Emmm, it is Scots dialect, and about Scottish mountains.You are confusing it with McPeake's copy of Tannahill's original poetry. Just like the "Irish favourites" Black is the Colour of My True Love's Hair, and The Green Fields of France, the songs are Scottish in origin.

[@Yaketyyak21]

Heath Savage me confused naaa.

[@heathsavage4852]

@@Yaketyyak21 Just not very bright, then...

[@Yaketyyak21]

Heath Savage now you are just being cruel and insulting,I pay no mind to people like you,have a nice day...

[@22JB22]

Great channel, mate. But this is absolutely a Scottish song...not Irish.

[@angus7278]

The title says “Irish Pub Song”. That is, a song sung in Irish pubs. Sounds accurate to me.

[@adrian_V99]

It's morphed over the centuries. lol...fr. Wikipaedia...."Wild Mountain Thyme" (also known as "Purple Heather" and "Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?") is an Irish/Scottish folk song. The lyrics and melody are a variant of the song "The Braes of Balquhither" by Scottish poet Robert Tannahill (1774-1810) and Scottish composer Robert Archibald Smith (1780-1829), but were adapted by Belfast musician Francis McPeake (1885-1971) into "Wild Mountain Thyme" and first recorded by his family in the 1950s.[1] Tannahill's original song, first published in Robert Archibald Smith's Scottish Minstrel (1821-24), is about the hills (braes) around Balquhidder near Lochearnhead. Like Robert Burns, Tannahill collected and adapted traditional songs, and "The Braes of Balquhither" may have been based on the traditional song "The Braes o' Bowhether".

[@billmoran935]

Started of Scottish then the Irish made it better. Similar to liquor 😂

[@adrian_V99]

@@billmoran935 whoa! Nothing beats the Scotts' whisky.

[@niallhumphreys6918]

@@adrian_V99 Irish invented whiskey

[@neavej1]

Scottish song

[@jasonnoonan1087]

Scottish song, Scottish duet

[@janicerigsbee4129]

It's Scottish but it's still Celtic.

[@WinsomeJohnny]

As if the instructors dont know more than any of you if the song is Scottish or Irish.

[@mitchellhogg4627]

Originally written by Robert tannahill, it is technically by origin a Scottish song

[@central_scrutinizer]

its a Scottish tune

[@johndavidson7441]

Great stuff but its a Scottish song not Irish.

[@carlislefolkandbluesclub490]

No you are wrong. The song was written by Francis McPeak. An Irish man, living in Scotland at the time. There has been a huge court case brought by The Mcpeak Family proving this and to dispel much of the rubbish which has developed over the years!

[@johndavidson7441]

Mmh interesting indeed. Ive never heard that before especially as the words get credited to Robbie Burns. Scotlands national bard and the dialect of the song is border Scots. Im not disagreeing with u but find it very interesting that their is a law suit as well. Wow indeed. Cheers jd

[@jacksden1]

Sorry buddy, but you are wrong. Well, partially. Yes, it was an Irishman who partly wrote it. The other part was Robbie Burns, but it was written in Scotland, so it must therefore be Scottish. In my book anyhow.

[@billydarico6180]

I think a Dago did the song first

[@JohnSmith-wo2fz]

@@jacksden1 Oh right - so Chinese food made in Scotland is really Scottish food?

[@KRAPYBARA84]

you look like the most irish dude ive ever seen lol

[@ryanshiplett]

John. How much weed did you smoke? And why didn't you invite me? Jk

[@glennmills9863]

Nice song who gives a fuck whether it's Scottish or Irish

[@maco562001]

scottish song not irish

[@judgepig7518]

It's a variant of a Scottish song, Will Ye Go Lassie Go popped up first in Belfast

[@jacksden1]

This isn't Irish!!!!!

[@angus7278]

The title says “Irish Pub Song”. That is, a song sung in Irish pubs. Sounds accurate to me.

[@John-Evans]

It is a Scottish not Irish song!