Guitar and Harmonica: Rakes Of Mallow (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2026-09-24 | Guitar and Harmonica: Rakes Of Mallow (Including lyrics and chords)
12-string Guitar: Just as the Tide was Flowing (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-11-20 | Today, I am returning to the BBC programme, "Singing Together" for a song entitled: "Just as the Tide was Flowing".In Joe Offer's collection the following information was included as a footnote:Collected from Walter Diment, Cheddington, Dorset. July 1906 by Hammond (D.570)Vaughan Williams arranged a version of this for choir which is similar to the first few verses of the above.The most common version in the folk clubs and recording these days (in my experience!) uses a returning lover theme, an example of which is performed by Shirley Collins on the Albion Country band "No Roses" recording(1971) which has also been recorded by 10,000 Maniacs on "The Wishing Chair" (1984). As with most of the songs in this collection, the score was published so I was able to work out the melody with the help of MuseScore, but the chords are of my own devising.
12-string Guitar: A Smugglers Song (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-11-14 | Written as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, "A Smuggler's Song" is related as a warning to a little girl who is admonished not to let "King George's Men" know anything about the goings on of the "Gentlemen" who pass by her house in the dark of night. The "Gentlemen" in question are of course smugglers.The poem was set to music by Peter Bellamy as explained in the following article from "Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music:[ Roud 25475 ; Henry H494 ; Ballad Index HHH494n ; words Rudyard Kipling, music Peter Bellamy / Tim Laycock]A Smuggler's Song is a poem from Rudyard Kipling's book Puck of Pook's Hill. Peter and Anthea Bellamy and Chris Birch sang it in 1972 on Bellamy's second album of songs set to Kipling's poems, Merlin's Isle of Gramarye. He commented in the album's sleeve notes:A Smuggler's Song is one of Kipling's best loved poems. It presents a somewhat romantic view of the cut-throat Sussex smugglers of the Eighteenth Century. The melody is derived from that of The White Cockade, a song which survives in the repertoire of a family in a village in which Kipling himself lived for a period: the Copper family of Rottingdean, Sussex. The harmonies were arranged by Chris Birch.The chord I have named as Aadd9 is sometimes written as A2 which I am playing as 022220
Autoharp: Arkansas Traveler (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-11-10 | I have uploaded versions of this song previously accompanying myself on guitar or banjo, but I thought I would try it out on the autoharp, especially as at our next monthly meeting of the Manx Autoharpers Group, the theme is "Advice" and in this song, advice is given even though it is not accepted.These lyrics to the Arkansas Traveler according to Wikapedia are the Peter Pan version.
Guitar: Heres Adieu to All Judges and Juries (Sharpes Rifles) (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-11-04 | Commenting on my original version of a song with this title, "Lowney3" requested that I sing the lyrics used in the TV series, "Sharpe's Rifles", so this morning i have made this recording with the requested lyrics.
12-string Guitar: If Tomorrow Never Comes (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-10-31 | I uploaded a version of this song about ten years ago, but on checking out that recording, I find that the audio was not working on it, so, I have recorded this new version to replace that useless video.Wikipedia has the following article about the song:"If Tomorrow Never Comes" is a song by American country music artist Garth Brooks. Written by Brooks and Kent Blazy, it was released in August 1989 as the second single from his album Garth Brooks and also appears on The Hits, The Limited Series and Double Live. This was his first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It is also sometimes referred to as his signature song. "If Tomorrow Never Comes" was named Favorite Country Single in the American Music Awards of 1991.The song subsequently became one of Brooks' most popular songs for other artists to perform. In 2002, Irish singer Ronan Keating released a version that reached number one in the United Kingdom and three other countries, and it became a top-five hit in several additional territories.
12-string Guitar: The Jolly Waggoner (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-10-29 | The last of a set of "Jolly" songs from the BBC programme, "Singing Together" as presented in Joe Offer's collection, "The Jolly Waggoner" has the following footnotes:Source: Everyman's Book of English Country Songs, Ed Roy Plamer, ISBN 0-460-12048-1Notes:Roy Palmer altered the words of the first verse. "In verse 1, line 1 'when' has been substituted for 'oh' and in the last line of the same verse 'none' for 'more'"Mr Rose, landlord of Bridge Inn, Acle Norfolk, 14.4.1908Ralph Vaughan Williams, MS I 34(2)Database entry is hereThe lyrics of this version seem to be in a state of decay, at least as regards rhyme. The version recorded by the Watersons is improved in that respect, but I am uncertain the extent to which they modified the songAs with most of the songs in this collection, I have made up my own chord progression for the song.
Guitar: The Jolly Ploughboy (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-10-25 | Another "Jolly" song, "The Jolly Ploughboy" is only a short song from the BBC programme, "Singing Together" with the following footnote in Joe Offer's collection:Source: Cyril Winn, A Selection of some less known Folk-Songs, Vol 2, Novello.Notes:No date or ISBN is available for this book. The song was collected by Vaughan Williams, but no further information was provided.The following quotation is from www.contemplator.com:The Pretty Ploughboy was printed on a broadside by Burbage and Stretton sometime between 1797 and 1807. It appeared on numerous broadsides throughout the 19th century. Several of these can be found at the Bodleian Library.W. Percy Merrick collected a version of The Pretty Ploughboy in Sussex. The version collected was incomplete and was supplemented by verses from broadsides and versions collected by others. The arrangement is by R. Vaughan Williams.The song was also known as The Jolly Ploughboy, The Simple Ploughboy and Little Plowing Boy. It was collected by Rev. S. Baring-Gould and others throughout England. It was also collected in Scotland, Limerick, North Carolina, Virginia and Nova Scotia.
Guitar: The Jolly Miller (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-10-19 | A short "Jolly" song from the BBC programme, "Singing Together", The Jolly Miller had the following footnotes in Joe Offer's collection:Source: Sabine Baring Gould, 1895, Old English Songs from English MinstrelsieNotes:This is taken from the selection of the eight volume work by Baring Gould of the same name, reprinted by Llanerch Publishers.From Frank Kidson - Grove entries:Miller Of The Dee, TheA song which has attained great popularity, commencing 'There was a jolly miller once lived on the river Dee'. It first appeared in print in the opera Love in a Village, 1702. It was then, apparently, an old song used by the compiler of the opera, and only the first verse was employed: the full song will be found in many 18th-century songsters, such as St Cecilia, Edinburgh 1779, etc. The tune was one originally adapted to a cant song, and under the title The bludgeon it is a fine Trade was used in several ballad operas, as The Fashionable Lady, 1730, The Devil to pay, 1732, etc. Without any title the air is given in the Quaker's Opera, 1728.Curious traditional versions survive in the south of England, as Here's a Health unto our Master, and The Jolly Woodcutter. See Sussex Songs and English County Songs.
Guitar: The Jolly Goss Hawk (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-10-13 | Back to the BBC programme "Singing Together" for another "jolly" song, this one being The Jolly Goss Hawk.As with most of the songs from Joe Offers' collection, the music score is written out, but the chord progression is of my own devising.A footnote included with the song reads:Source: Songs Of The West by S. Baring-Gould.Notes:Baring Gould notes:Melody taken down from H. Westaway to "The Nawden Song," which begins-"I went to my lady the first of May,A jolly goss-hawk and her wings were grey,Come let us see who'll win my fair ladye-you or me.To the 2nd of May is "a two twitty bird," "a dushy cock," a "four -legged pig," "five steers," "six boars," "seven calves calving," "eight bulls roaring," "nine cocks crowing," "ten carpenters yawning," "eleven shepherds sawing," "twelve old women scolding," Mr C Sharp has taken it down in Somersetshire.A Scottish version in Chamber's "Popular Rhymes of Scotland" 1842; as "The Yule Days," A Northumberland version; " The XII Days of Christmas," with air not like ours, in "Northumbrian Minstrelsy," Newcastle, 1882 p. 129.A Breton version, "Gousper ou ar Ranad," in "Chansons Populaires de la basse Bretagne,"by Luzel, 1890 p94.The West of England song has got mixed up with the "Goss-Hawk," another song. See "The Fond Mother's Garland," B. M. A companion song to this is "The Bonny Bird,". The song in Devonshire, goes by the name of "The Nawden Song.
12-string Guitar: Star of the County Down (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-10-08 | I uploaded a version of this song thirteen years ago accompanying myself with my 6-string EKO Ranger. At that time, I was using an inferior webcam which did not like much volume and caused crackling whenever my voice was too loud, so I am uploading this new version using by 12-string Epiphone and a better camera which accepts higher volume without interference.Wikipedia has the following about the song:"Star of the County Down" is an Irish ballad set near Banbridge in County Down, in Northern Ireland. The words are by Cathal MacGarvey (1866–1927) from Ramelton, County Donegal. MacGarvey's song was first collected in Herbert Hughes Irish Country Songs. The tune is traditional, and may be known as "Dives and Lazarus" or (as a hymn tune) "Kingsfold".
Guitar: The Jolly Carter (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-10-01 | Today I am returning to the BBC programme "Singing Together" for my upload. The song is "The Jolly Carter" which was published in Spring 1967.The footnote below the song reads: This is taken from Oxford School Music Books Junior II from the Oxford University Press.As with most of the songs from this series, I have made up my own chord progression for the accompaniment.
Autoharp: Bìrlinn Ghoraidh Chrobhain (Including Lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-09-28 | Bìrlinn Ghoraidh Chrobhain is Gaelic which translates as The Barge of Gorrie Crovan. Gorrie Crovan is better known here in the Isle of Man as Godred Crovan or King Orry.He was a Viking who in the late 11th century conquered the Isle of Man at the Battle of Sky Hill. He was king of Dublin and the Isles.The theme for the September meeting of the Manx Autoharpers is "Royalty", and I am going to perform this song at that meeting on Saturday.(Having listened carefully to my recording, I realise that my pronunciation of the name "Chrobhain" (Crovan) is not clear and sounds as if I am singing "Grovan". I will make sure I correct that on Saturday.)
Autoharp: Amelia Earhart’s Last Flight (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-09-21 | "Amelia Earhart's Last Flight" is a song written by Red River Dave McEnery shortly after Amelia Earhart's disappearance. It has been believed to be the first song ever performed on commercial television (at the 1939 World's Fair). It was copyrighted in 1939 and was first performed by David McEnery on a pioneer television broadcast from the 1939 New York World's Fair. It was recorded by McEnery in 1941.I chose this as the first of two songs I performed at the monthly Zoom meeting of the Facebook group "UK Autoharpers and Friends" this evening.
Autoharp: There Was an Old Woman Tossed Up in a Basket (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-09-17 | At the UK Autoharpers and Friends Zoom meeting this coming Wednesday, the theme is: "The Sky and Everything in it." I intend to perform this children's nursery rhyme as one of my pieces.The tune this version is set to is "Lillibullero".
Guitar: The Jolly Beggar (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-09-10 | Another song from the BBC programme, "Singing Together", the following notes were included as a footnote:Source: Milner D and Kaplan P, 1983, Songs of England, Ireland and Scotland, Oak, New YorkNotes:Milner reported he had taken this song from The Scots Musical Museum by J Johnson.There are two main branches of this song, identical except for the ending where the beggar is, or is not, a gentleman.Roud: 118 (Search Roud index at VWML) Take SixThe chord progression I am using is of my own devising.
Guitar: John of Hazelgreen (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-08-28 | I am returning to the BBC programme, "Singing Together" for my upload today.John of Hazelgreen is related to the song "Jock o' Hazeldean".In the discussion on the song, Jim Irvine states: "This seems more likely to be an Americanized version of "Jock o' Hazeldean" rather than anything else."In response to this, Contemplator replied: "These lyrics were written by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1882) and published in 1816 in Albyn's Anthology. However, the ballad is much older. It was originally John of Hazelgreen. C. K. Sharpe, who sent the ballad to Scott said it was from a manuscript dated "probably one hundred years" earlier, placing the original manuscript in the 1700s."
12-string Guitar: Van Diemens Land (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-08-23 | I learned this song from the singing of two of my friends, Derek and Margaid, at our weekly jam session at The Manor Hotel, Willaston, in Douglas.The song comes from the U2 album, "Rattle and Hum".U2’s classic 1980s track “Van Diemen’s Land” is actually dedicated to a famous Irish born American poet named John Boyle O’Reilly. As a young man, O’Reilly joined a revolutionary group known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB).Van Diemen's Land was the colonial name of the island of Tasmania used by the British during the European exploration of Australia in the 19th century. A British settlement was established in Van Diemen's Land in 1803 before it became a separate colony in 1825. Its penal colonies became notorious destinations for the transportation of convicts due to the harsh environment, isolation and reputation for being inescapable. Macquarie Harbour and Port Arthur are among the most well-known penal settlements on the island.The island was named in honour of Anthony van Diemen, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies who had sent the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman on his voyage of discovery in the 1640s. In 1642 Tasman became the first known European to land on the shores of Tasmania. After landing at Blackman Bay and later raising the Dutch flag at North Bay, Tasman named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt (Anthony Van Diemen's land) in his patron's honour.The demonym for inhabitants of Van Diemen's Land was "Van Diemonian", though contemporaries used the spelling "Vandemonian".In 1856, Van Diemen's Land was renamed Tasmania; removing the unsavoury link the name Van Diemen's Land had with its penal settlements (and the "demon" connotation). Tasmania was chosen as it honoured the explorer Abel Tasman, the first European to visit the island. Within 21 years the last penal settlement in Tasmania at Port Arthur was permanently closed in 1877.
Autoharp: I Remember Everything (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-08-19 | This was the first song I performed at the August Zoom meeting of the UK Autoharps and Friends on Wednesday last.Written by John Prine, this sadly was the last song he recorded before his death, he being one of the first Country celebrities to succumb to the Covid epidemic.I have uploaded a guitar accompanied version recently, but wished to hear what it would sound like using the autoharp.
Autoharp: Dublin Town in 1962 (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-08-16 | Written and composed by Dermot O'Brien, I have chosen the song "Dublin Town in 1962" as one of the songs I intend to perform at a zoom gathering of UK Autoharpers and Friends tomorrow evening, the theme for the evening being: Regrets and/or Advice.The song is particularly poignant for me as I visited Dublin in 1962 and regret that I did not make more of a brief holiday romance with a lovely girl I met there.
Guitar: Shelves of Herring (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-08-12 | My autoharp playing friend, Hilary Robinson from Northern Ireland performed this clever parody on "The Shoals of Herring" at our monthly zoom meeting of the Facebook group, UK Autoharps and friends in July.I am doing my own version but using my guitar for accompaniment rather than the autoharp.
Guitar: Islands In The Stream (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-08-06 | Responding to a request from "XxWhotheF***isthatguyxX", I have stepped out of my comfort zone in attempting this song."Islands in the Stream" is a song written by the Bee Gees and recorded by American country music artists Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was released in August 1983 as the first single from Rogers's album Eyes That See in the Dark; and named after the Ernest Hemingway novel.In their version, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton start the song in the key of C, but then modulate up to G#. I have the capo at the second fret to begin the song, so using chord shapes for the key of C, am playing in D, but as I am unable to play the necessary chord shapes that go with G#, I moved the capo up one fret to play using chord shapes for the key of G and am playing the remainder of the song in Bb.
Autoharp: Tennessee Waltz (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-08-01 | From time to time, Facebook offers up memories from your past posts.A couple of days ago, it shared a video of a concert featuring three of the tutors from the Scottish Autoharp Workshop Weekend in Moniaive. Patrick Couton in his programme included The Tennessee Waltz, and I felt certain that shortly after hearing it, I had intended to try it for myself but as it does not appear in my Channel's videos, I am now correcting that omission.Wikipedia has the following about the song:"Tennessee Waltz" is a popular country music song with lyrics by Redd Stewart and music by Pee Wee King written in 1946 and first released in January 1948. The song became a multimillion seller via a 1950 recording – as "The Tennessee Waltz" – by Patti Page. As of 1974, it was the biggest-selling song ever in Japan.All versions of the lyrics narrate a situation in which the persona has introduced his or her sweetheart to a friend who then waltzes away with her or him. The lyrics are altered for pronoun gender on the basis of the gender of the singer.The popularity of "Tennessee Waltz" also made it the fourth official song of the state of Tennessee in 1965.
Guitar: Knockin on Your Screen Door (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-07-26 | “Knockin’ on Your Screen Door” served as the opening track from The Tree of Forgiveness, John Prine’s first album of new music in more than 13 years.I only heard it for the first time last Wednesday when it was performed at a Zoom gathering of the UK Autoharpers and Friends. It was played and sung by an American lady, Karen Torell-Hoffman, and I enjoyed her performance so much I just had to give it a go myself. However, where Karen played it on her autoharp, I am using my six-string guitar for accompaniment.
Autoharp: Oranges and Lemons (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-07-20 | The theme for the monthly zoom meeting of the UK Autoharpers and Friends tonight is "food". One of the songs I hope to perform is "Oranges and Lemons" as it mentions so many food items.Alternate verses are sung in the keys of D and C, and changing from one to the other proved quite difficult for me, so I had to include a short instrumental intro to each verse to help me sing in the correct key.
Autoharp: Multiplication (including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-07-16 | The theme for today's meeting of the Manx Autoharpers Group is: Numbers, Maths, Calculations, so I have decided to perform this song as my offering.Multiplication is a song written by Walden Robert Cassotto under his stage name, Bobby Darin. he first recorded and released 15th August 1961 and it has since been covered by many well known artists.
Guitar: Jans Courtship (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-07-09 | Another song from the BBC programme, "Singing Together", the notes accompanying this in Joe Offer's collection are as follows:Notes abridged from S. Baring-Gould.Words and air from Mr M Rowe, Longabrook, Milton Abbot.Another set, slightly different, from Mr Crossing. As 'Robin's Courtship' the song was recovered in Somersetshire. It has also been noted in the same county by Mr Sharp as 'William the Rose,' sung to the tune of 'Lillibulero.' It is found in 'The Universal Songster' circ. 1830, as 'Poor Bob.'In the 'Roxburgh Ballads,' vi. pp. 216-217, is what is probably the earliest form--'Come here my dutiful Son, and take counsel of me.' This was sung to the air 'Grim King of the Ghosts.' Another version is referred to in 'The Beggar's Opera,' Act 111. Sc viii. 'Now Roger I'll tell thee, because thou'rt my son.'Our tune is more rugged in character. It is in the Aeolian mode.The chord progression I am using is of my own devising.
Guitar: Jack Gardners Crew (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-07-02 | As it has been some time since I last uploaded a video, I thought that I would return to the BBC programme, "Singing Together" to try out another song I had not previously attempted.The song is "Jack Gardner's Crew" which is a folk song of the Catskills Mountain Region attributed to Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht and Norman Studer. No further information was published with the song other than a note stating: Approved by Publisher as being available to public.During my recording, my watch pinged two-thirds of the way through the second verse, but rather than re-record the whole song, I left it in.The chord progression is of my own devising.
Old Woman from Wexford (The) (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-06-27 | I have uploaded a version of this amusing song some years ago, but yesterday, I listened to a performance of it sung by my autoharp friend from Ireland, Hilary Robinson, and she had a verse that I had not sung before. The verse she had made more sense to the story, so I have recorded this new version which includes it. As Hilary mentioned in her recording, the doctor patient confidentiality seems to have gone by the board!
Guitar: Perfect Symphony (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-06-13 | My friend Corinna Dooley asked me to try to learn this song, she being Italian by birth, so even though I have never attempted to speak or sing in Italian, I have given it my best shot.The song, of course, is Ed Sheeran's "Perfect Symphony" which he sang with Andrea Bocelli in the version I have based my own performance on.My apologies to any Italian speakers for any mistakes I have made.
Guitar: I Remember Everything (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-06-04 | The following information comes from an internet site called "Song Facts":"I Remember Everything" is the last song John Prine recorded before his death from COVID-19 on April 7, 2020. A quintessential Prine ode to love, it finds him recalling a romance from its beginning:The way you turned and smiled on meOn the night that we first metTo the couple's farewell:How I miss you in the morning lightLike roses miss the dewPrine wrote the acoustic song with longtime collaborator Pat McLaughlin. Nashville hitmaker Dave Cobb produced the track, recording it in Prine's living room with the singer accompanying himself on guitar.My friend Peter Corkhill introduced this song to me and often sings it at our Tuesday night sessions at The Manor Hotel in Willaston, Douglas, Isle of Man.
Guitar: My El Dorado (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-05-29 | One of my friends has been singing this song recently at our weekly jam sessions so I thought it was time I uploaded my own interpretation of it.Written by Graeme Miles, the song is "May El Dorado" and is about the hopes and dreams of a young man as seen through his older self.
Autoharp Bristlecone Pine (The) threelegsoman 2022-05-20 | This was the first song I performed on Wednesday night's Zoom meeting of the Facebook group "UK Autoharpers and friends Meet, Greet and Warble". This song is about the oldest living thing on our planet. It is the Bristlecone Pine. Bristlecone pines in Colorado have been dated as old as 2,500 years, yet they are just children compared with the Bristlecone of the Sierras which have been dated as old as 6,000 years.The bristlecone pine stands monument to a conquering will to survive against all odds. In a way, it stands as an example to us all. No matter what life throws at you, if ou have the determination, you can overcome any and all troubles.The song lyrics and tune are by Hugh Prestwood. I first learned the song from a cover of it by Brian Bowers, the renowned autoharper.
Autoharp: Linden Lea (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-05-13 | At the monthly sing-around held at the sheltered accommodation at Kerroo Glass in Ramsey this afternoon, my friend, Graham Alexander sang an a capella rendition of this lovely song which just happened to be the song I was going to upload to perform at the monthly zoom meeting of the UK Autoharpers and Friends next Wednesday. This is my own interpretation and arrangement of the song about which I found the following information:William Barnes's poem My Orcha'd In Lindèn Lea was set to music in 1901 by the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). At the age of 29, Linden Lea was Vaughan Williams's first publication, marking the beginning of a long career that produced no less than nine symphonies, as well as countless other works. It is written in the key of G major, and uses a "Common English" translation of Barnes's original Dorset dialect for the lyrics.There are a couple of differences worth noting between the original poem and this translation:In Verse 2, the fourth line in the translation reads "Up upon the timber-tops", whereas in the poem the line is "Up upon the timber's tops".In Verse 3, again the fourth line in the translation reads "Though no man may heed my frowns", but in the poem the line is "Though noo man do heed my frowns".These changes may have been made to improve the flow of the words when sung, as one can easily comprehend the meaning of either version.
Guitar: A Life on the Ocean Wave (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-05-08 | A request from subscriber Tony Barde led me to this song. I am quite surprised that I had not attempted it sooner, but thanks to Tony I have done this version.The song was written as a poem by Edes Sargent (1838) and was set to music by Henry Russell.The chord progression I am using is of my own devising.
Guitar and Harmonica: I Aint Got No Home In This World Anymore (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-05-04 | Another request from subscriber, Jack Carter, is for the Woody Guthrie song "I Ain't Got No Home In This World Anymore"The chords I am using are of my own devising and I have attempted to be true to Woody's own version but have included a verse he did not sing on the video I watched..
Autoharp: Geology threelegsoman 2022-04-30 | I missed the April meeting of the Manx Autoharpers last week due to a tummy upset. The song I had intended to perform on the theme, "Geology" was Brad Paisley's song entitled "Geology" which he claims is from his never released album - Your Substrata Makes My Lava Flow!This is my arrangement for the autoharp.
Guitar: Girls at Home (The) (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-04-25 | Requested by subscriber Jack Carter, The Girls at Home is a song written by Henry Clay Work, author of songs such as Kingdom Coming; Marching Through Georgia; Wreck of the Old 97 and My Grandfather's Clock.Written at the time of the American Civil War, the song tells of a soldier's dreams of returning to his girl back home.The chord progression is of my own devising.When I created this video, I accidentally clicked on 3D. so if you have 3D glasses the picture will be in better focus.
Autoharp: Piping Tim of Galway (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-04-17 | On Wednesday evening, members of the UK Autoharpers and friends have their monthly Zoom meeting. The theme for this month is "Music and Musicians", so this will be one of my contributions along with "Mr Bojangles" a video of which I uploaded some time ago:youtu.be/p4npKT70eE0
Guitar: Imperfect (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-04-13 | Subscriber "mene cmt57" has often made requests for songs that I have not been able to fulfil. However, even though this is not really within my comfort zone, I have worked on Corey Taylor's song, "Imperfect" and am uploading it now. Corey Taylor is the lead singer of the American rock band, "Stone Sour" and they uploaded this song in 2010 on an album "Audio Secrecy"To learn to play this, I had to detune my guitar by half a tone to match their version and play along with it until I felt confident enough to give it a go by myself.The chords shown are the shapes used for normal tuning and are:G 230033 D/F# x00233 (alternating with the normal D x00232) Em7 020000 and Cadd9 032030
Guitar; Ill Be A Soldier (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-04-06 | Requested by subscriber Athull08, "I'll Be A Soldier" is a song written by "Father of American Folk" Stephen Foster in 1861 around the start of the American Civil Wary.The chord progression is of my own devising.
Guitar and Harmonica: The Ballad of Tom Joad (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-03-16 | My American friend, Ken Shuttlesworth, requested this song. The version by Ramblin' Jack Elliott for which he sent a link was unavailable, so I listened to the original song written and performed by Woody Guthrie instead.The ballad is Guthrie's re-telling of the story of John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath".The chord progression I am using is of my own devising.
Guitar: John Anderson, my jo (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-03-12 | Another song from the BBC programme, "Singing Together", "John Anderson, my jo" is one of Robert Burns best loved poems.This is my own arrangement of the song. The chords shown are what you might use if strumming the accompaniment, but I have attempted to play it finger-style, so at times I do not play full chords.The following comes from "Student Writing Centre" on figurative language:(1789) "John Anderson, My Jo" has been called one of the most moving of all love poems recorded by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The song had existed in the oral tradition for some time before Burns committed it to writing. Its appealing voice is that of an elderly woman expressing her love for her equally aged "jo," or sweetheart. Its appeal in two brief eight-line stanzas lies in its simplicity.Transparent in its heartfelt expression, nothing in the poem confuses the reader except perhaps for the native dialect, always present in Burns's poetry. The first line replicates the title as the speaker addresses her love, "John Anderson, my jo, John." She reminds him that a great deal of time has passed since their first acquaintance by describing his appearance as a youth:When we were first acquent, Your locks were like the raven, Your bonnie brow was brent, meaning his forehead lacked wrinkles. The lines include alliteration, common to songs, which lends a pleasant effect and enhances rhythm. The next two lines describe John's present appearance, offering a striking contrast to the previous description: "But now your brow is beld, John /," or bald, "Your locks are like the snow." Then the speaker concludes the first eight-line stanza by declaring, "but blessings on your frosty pow, / John Anderson, my jo," with pow corresponding to the English term pate. In a graceful moment, the speaker counteracts time's ravages by declaring John's bald head blessed, a simple gesture brimming with grace and an easy redemption.In the second stanza, the speaker repeats the affectionate opening line, then reminds her love, "We clamb the hill thegither; / And mony a cantie day, John," where cantie means "cheerful," and the climbing of the hill represents the exertions that their lives together comprised. Despite having to surmount many problems, they remained cheerful and positive, mainly because they shared life's demands by meeting them head on as a team. She looks toward their imminent and predictable physical demise and eventual death, easing the moment's solemnity by reminding him they will face the end together, just as they have the rest of their existence:We've had wi'ane anither: Now we maun totter down, John, And hand in hand we'll go, And sleep thegither at the foot, John Anderson, my jo.Terms such as totter and sleep counter the harsh realities all humans must eventually face by setting a light and positive tone, leaving both the characters within the ballad and its listeners/readers feeling hopeful. The poem clearly makes the point that both the pains of life and the fear of death can be eased through companionship and love. Human interaction remains a saving grace.
Guitar: Lorenas Reply (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-03-05 | Requested by Athull08, this is an answer song to "Lorena".Lorena's Reply is also known as "Paul Vane".It was written by the same lyricist and composer, Henry De Lafayette Webster (1824-96) and the unrelated Joseph Philbrick Webster (1819-75). It is a poor imitation of the original with the same or virtually the same melody.An edition was published by C. Sheard of Holborn, London, in 1874, though it appears to have been published initially in an American compilation, The Jack Morgan Songster of 1864.I have arranged this version using my own chord progression.
Guitar: The Circle Game (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-02-27 | I have uploaded two versions of this lovely song written by Joni Mitchell, one on guitar and the other on autoharp. However, at our monthly sing-around at the sheltered accommodation at which I live, my friend Alan Williamson performed it using his autoharp and included a verse I had not previously known. Alan sent me a copy of his version and I have now recorded it using my guitar and including the missing verse and an instrumental verse too.
Autoharp: When Its Springtime In Alaska threelegsoman 2022-02-16 | The theme for the monthly meeting of the Manx Autoharpers on Saturday is "Spring". I had performed "When it's Springtime in The Rockies" a couple of years ago, so searching for another song I found this one: "When It's Springtime In Alaska (It's Forty Below)"According to Wikipedia:"When It's Springtime in Alaska (It's Forty Below)" is a 1959 single by Johnny Horton released through Columbia Records. The single was Johnny Horton's sixth release on the country chart and the first of three number ones on the country chart.[1] The single spent twenty-three weeks on the chart. I fell into the trap of copying the lyrics from an internet page and did not spot that they had been transcribed incorrectly.The first line of verse 1 should have been:I mushed from Fort Barrow through a blizzard of snow...Not as I copied as "Port Barrol"!!!
Guitar: In My Fathers Garden (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-02-05 | Another song from the BBC programme, "Singing Together", In My Father's Garden" was published in the summer of 1978 with the following notes:French: The tune is "Aupres de Ma Blonde".It is a singable translation of the opening verses of the French song.I attempted to sing "Aupres de Ma Blonde" in its native French in 2012, that version can be seen at: youtu.be/5h3FtM2_Gj0
Guitar: King Arthurs Servants (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-01-29 | King Arthur's Servants is another song from the BBC programme, "Singing Together", this one being published in the Spring of 1967 pamphlet. The only information given in the pamphlet was the following footnote:From North Countrie Folk Songs for Schools, Ed Whittaker, Pub Curwen, 1921I uploaded a song twelve years ago entitled: "The Farmer's Three Sons" which is another variant of this song. youtu.be/-A3oCZqfr6A
Autoharp: Song For a Winters Night (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-01-22 | According to Wikipedia, "Song for a Winter's Night" is a song written by Gordon Lightfoot, and first recorded for his album The Way I Feel (1967). Lightfoot recorded another version of the song for Gord's Gold (1975), a greatest hits compilation on which other re-recordings also appeared.The song was written on a hot summer night in Cleveland while Lightfoot was performing there. He was missing his wife of the time, Brita Ingegerd Olaisson, and his thoughts turned to winter.The Manx Autoharpers' group are meeting this afternoon and the theme for performances is "Winter" or "New Beginnings", so I thought I would give this song a go.
12-string Guitar: In a British Man-of-War (Including lyrics and chords) threelegsoman 2022-01-15 | This is another song from Joe Offer's collection of songs from the BBC programme, "Singing Together". The first time I looked at this one, I bypassed it in favour of its sequel, "On Board of a Man-of-War" also known as "Susan's Adventures in a Man-of-War". (youtu.be/EfByCsQhtJ8) but today I am singing the first in this pairing, "In a British Man-of-War".The chord progression I am using is of my own devising.The following is the footnote in the collection:Source: Purslow, F, (1968), The Wanton Seed, EDFS, LondonNotes:Frank Purslow's notes are:Gardiner H 325. Tune and text from George Blake, St Denys, Southampton. Although 78 years of age Blake was a very fine and intelligent singer and this song is worth including if only for its tune which I find rather "handsome." The words are typical broadside stuff but in the mouth of a good singer can sound impressive. I find that young singers, when faced with a long song, tend to hurry the song along in case their audience gets bored. I think this a great mistake because the listeners usually miss half the words, lose the thread of the narrative and do get bored; whereas if the full meaning is given to the text - and the singer sounds as if he is convinced at least - then the audience enjoy the performance. Incidentally, the tune is again a veritable patchwork of "folk-phrases."
Guitar: Im a Man thats done wrong to my Parents (Including Lyrics and Chords) threelegsoman 2022-01-08 | My song today is another from Joe Offer's collection of songs from the BBC programme, "Singing Together".The following footnote is included with the song:Source: Lucy Broadwood and J A Fuller Maitland. 1893, English County Songs, Leadenhall Press, LondonNotes:Dorsetshire. Words and tune from H. Strachey, Esq.Lucy Broadwood wrote:The tune was heard whistled by a labourer at Shillingham, Dorsetshire, in 1889, and was afterwards taken down from a collier at Bishop Sutton, Somerset. "Come down, the and open the door, love" is often sung to this tune in both counties, but the words of this song have not been procurable. Compare the tune with "Old Rosin the Beau" in Barrett's English Folk Songs, the editor of which claims that it is a modification of an older song and that Whtye Melville's "Wrap me up in my old stable jacket" is an adaptation of a more modern form. Compare also "The Old Farmer" and "The Gallant Hussar" in the same collection, also "Adam and Eve" in Baring Gould's Songs of the West and "Green Mossy Banks of the Lea", a song well known to the oldest singers in Sussex and Surrey. J Markordt, in his ballad opera of Tom Thumb has a similar air. "In hurry post-haste for the license."
