Sweet Portaferry [G] - Traditional
Tune - Collected by Edward Bunting C19th (traditional)
Words ...
Vs 1 Collected by Cathal O’Boyle
Vs 2 adapted by Anne Harper from sentiments collected from local people
with Stephen Beggs as part of Beach of Dreams/Our Siren Song 2025
[Intro]
[C] [G] [C] [G]
You may [G] gaze from green [D7] mountains a[G]cross the bright [D7]seas
Where [C] wonder and [G] pleasement are [C] taking their [G] ease
You may search the world [D7] over from [G] here to Ja[D7]pan
Trans[C]ported by [G] nature and the [C] glory of [G] man
But why should men [Em] toil foreign [C] lands to ex[G]plore
When wonder and [Em] pleasement are [Am] here at their [D7]door?
And [G] who would go [D7] roving through [G] country and [D7] town
From [C] sweet Porta[G]ferry in the [C] Kingdom of [G] Down
[C] [G] [C] [G]
There’s a [G] welcome for [D7] those seeking [G] refuge from [D7] fear
and the [C] healing be[G]gins when(ever) [C] you arrive [G] here!
Wherever you’re [D7] from, your [G] accent’s no [D7] sin
Here the [C] stranger’s a [G] friend, and you’ll [C] always fit [G] in
There’ll be comfort a[Em]round in [C] hard times or [G] loss
If the road is too [Em] long, the boat [Am]helps you a[D7]cross.
It’s a [G] haven for [D7] children, safe, [G] far from the [D7] town
So I’ll [C] seek Porta[G]ferry in the [C] Kingdom of [G] Down!