Look Who it Was Random video

Guitar: Donegal Danny

2,953 views · Published 27 December 2008 · 5:09 · Indexed 21 October 2026

Channel: threelegsoman · 2008 · Music

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A lively tune, but a sad story. I count this as one of my favourite songs.

I had a slight accident on Christmas Eve when I over-trimmed part of my moustache. It had to come off which left my beard looking rather silly on its own, so that came off as well. Not decided yet whether to regrow them.

Donegal Danny 
Phil Coulter 
Capo at 5th fret, so I am really playing and singing in the key of C

G                                           C              G                  C                          G        
I remember the night that he came in from the wintry cold and damp,
                                 Em                           Am                                        D7           
A giant of a man in an oilskin coat with a bundle that told he was a tramp.
      G                                        C                  G              C                                         G                                                 
He stood at the bar and he called for a pint, then turned and gazed at the fire,
                                      Em                            Am                      D7          
“On a night like this to be safe and dry is my one and only desire!”

      G                                       Bm                             D                               D7                  
So here’s to those that are dead and gone, the friends that I loved dear,
        G                                 Bm                        
And here’s to you and I’ll bid you adieu saying 
D             D7                   G              Em     D             D7                   G
Donegal Danny’s been here, my boys, Donegal Danny’s been here.

Then in a voice that was hushed and low, he said, “Listen! I’ll tell you a tale.
How a man of the sea became a man of the road and never more will set sail.
I’ve fished out of Houth, and Killybegs, Ardglass and Baltimore,
But the cruel sea has beaten me so I’ll end my days on the shore."

One fateful night in the wind and rain, we set sail from Killybegs Town,
There were five of us from sweet Donegal and one from County Down.
We were fishermen who fished the sea and never counted the cost,
So I little thought ‘ere that night was done that my five friends would all be lost.

Then the storm it broke and drove the boat to the rocks about ten miles from the shore,
As we fought the tide, we hoped inside to see our homes once more.
Then we struck a rock which holed the bow and all of us knew that she’d go down,
So we jumped right into the icy sea and we prayed to God we wouldn’t drown.

But the ragin' sea was risin' still as we struck out for the land
And she fought with all her cruelty to claim that gallant band
By Saint John's point in the early dawn I dragged myself onto the shore
And I cursed the sea for what she'd done and vowed to sail her never more

Ever since that night I've been on the road travelling and trying to forget
That awful night I lost all my friends I see their faces yet 
And often at night when the sea is high and the rain is tearing at my skin
I hear the cries of drowning men floating over on the wind

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