Ill Never Find Another You – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-10-13 | DescriptionThis video is my fingerstyle arrangement of the 60's pop hit “I'll Never Find Another You” by The Seekers. The song was written by Tom Springfield. It was an international chart hit in 1965, reaching #1 in both UK and Australia, and #4 in the US. Two years later, it became a #1 Country hit in the US for Sonny James.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
End of the World – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-04-01 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle arrangement of the pop/country standard “The End of the World”. It was written in 1962 by Arthur Kent (melody) and Sylvia Dee (lyrics). The following year, it was a #2 crossover hit for Skeeter Davis. Since then, it has been widely covered by prominent recording artists worldwide.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Old Rugged Cross - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-03-29 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the popular Christian hymn “The Old Rugged Cross”. The song was written in 1912 by midwestern evangelist and song-leader George Bennard, and has been a country gospel favorite ever since it became the title song of Ernest Tubb's 1952 gospel album.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Fields of Athenry – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-03-27 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle arrangement of the prominent Irish folk ballad “Fields of Athenry". Although the song has a traditional feel to it, and is set in the 1840's, it is actually contemporary, having been written in the 1970s by Pete St. John.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Massachusetts - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-03-24 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the 1967 Bee Gees international pop hit “Massachusetts”. All three of the Gibbs brothers in the group were involved in creating the song, and share songwriter credit.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
When the Works All Done This Fall – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-03-22 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a simple little arrangement of the familiar American cowboy song “When the Work's All Done This Fall”. The song's lyrics were written as a poem by D. J. O'Malley, which was first published in 1893. It was then collected and first published in song form (i.e. the poem, set to a traditional melody) by John Lomax in 1910 in his “Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads”. Carl T. Sprague's 1925 record sold over 900,000 copies, at a time when 5,000 was typical for a successful recording. The arrangement is primarily by Eythor Thorlaksson. I added in some more bass notes. Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Annies Song – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-03-18 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing an arpeggiated fingerstyle version of the John Denver standard “Annie's Song”. It was an international #1 chart hit for him in 1974. The arrangement is by Dan C Holloway. Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Barbara Allen – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-03-16 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the traditional Scottish folk ballad “Barbara Allen”. Ethnomusicologists credit it as the most widely collected song in the English language, equally popular in England, Scotland, Ireland, and North America. Most of this arrangement is an uncredited partial TAB which I found floating around on the web. I added the last five measures myself. Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Bottle of Wine – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-03-15 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a nice little travis-picked version of the 1967 pop hit “Bottle of Wine”. It was written by folksinger Tom Paxton and became a chart hit for The Fireballs. The arrangement is by Rick McKeon.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
One Tin Soldier – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-03-01 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle arrangement of the folk/pop hit “One Tin Soldier". This 1960s counterculture era anti-war song was co-written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter circa 1969. Three different artists reached the charts with it over the next few years. It may be best remembered as the theme song for the 1971 film “Billy Jack”.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Banks of the Dee – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-27 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle arrangement of the Scottish ballad “Banks of the Dee”. This beautiful song was very popular in its day, both in England and the colonies. The lyrics were written in 1775 by Edinburgh poet John Tait. The tune is an older traditional Irish air called "Langolee". Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
White Cliffs of Dover – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-22 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle version of this popular World War II song made famous by Vera Lynn with her 1942 recording. It was written in 1941 with music by Walter Kent and lyrics by Nat Burton. The official song title is “(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover”.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Deportee - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-18 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the Woody Guthrie protest song “Deportee”. Also known as “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos” (or a combination of the titles), it was originally a poem written in 1948 by Guthrie. The melody was composed and added by Martin Hoffman in 1958. It has been heavily covered in the years since, especially by prominent folk singers.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Happy Trails – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-16 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle version of the Western standard “Happy Trails”. It was written in 1952 by Dale Evans Rogers, and was popularized as the theme song for the Roy Rogers Show.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
MacPhersons Farewell – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-14 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle version of the Scottish folk tune “MacPherson's Farewell”. Also known as “MacPherson's Lament” or “MacPherson's Rant”, the origins of this song are steeped in legend. Supposedly the convicted outlaw Jamie MacPherson wrote it in 1700 just before he was scheduled to be hanged, and then performed it with his fiddle for the crowd attending the execution.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
In the Garden - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-14 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the well-known gospel song “In the Garden”. It was written by American songwriter C. Austin Miles in 1912. Note that I don't keep to a strict tempo throughout the piece – certain beats are extended for emphasis.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Blue Eyes Cryin in the Rain – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-09 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle version of the C&W standard “Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain”. The song was written by Fred Rose circa 1947 and was first recorded by Roy Acuff. The signature recording is of course by Willie Nelson in 1975. Full disclosure: I'm crediting myself with this arrangement, but the verse part is actually loosely based on an anonymous partial TAB I found on the web.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Banks of the Wabash – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-07 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle version of the chorus part of “Banks of the Wabash”. Written by Paul Dresser in 1897, “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away” (its official title) is the state song of Indiana. It was among the best-selling songs of the 19th century, in terms of sheet-music volume and revenues.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
One Day at a Time - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-02-01 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the C&W-styled Gospel song “One Day at a Time”. It is widely considered to be the biggest gospel song of the 1970s. It was written in 1973, primarily by Marijohn Wilkin, with some assistance from Kris Kristofferson. Over 200 artists have recorded it. Probably the most prominent US versions are by Marilyn Sellars and Christy Lane.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Crystal Chandeliers - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-01-23 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the C&W standard “Crystal Chandeliers”. The song was written by Ted Harris and was first released by Carl Belew in 1965. It has since been heavily covered, with Charlie Pride's album cut considered the signature version.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Blessed Assurance - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-01-19 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the well-known Christian hymn “Blessed Assurance” (hymntune = ASSURANCE). The lyrics were written in 1873 by blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby to music written the same year by her friend Phoebe Knapp.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Banks of Yarrow / Rare Willie – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-01-17 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my basic fingerstyle arrangement of the traditional Scottish ballad “Banks of Yarrow”. It is also known as “Rare Willie Drowned in Yarrow”, or simply “Rare Willie”. Note that the guitar tuning is drop D.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Notre Dame Victory March – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-01-16 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my fingerstyle version of “Notre Dame Victory March”. Also known as “Victory March” and “Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame”, the song was written by brothers (and alumni) Michael J Shea and John F Shea and published in 1908. As college football celebrated its centennial in 1969, it was recognized and honored as the "greatest of all collegiate fight songs."Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Kelly the Pirate / Bold Princess Royal - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-01-09 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the traditional British / Canadian maritime broadside ballad known as both “Kelly the Pirate” and “The Bold Princess Royal”. I have the capo at the 5th fret for this one.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Road To Dundee – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2017-01-05 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my simple fingerstyle version of the traditional Scottish folk ballad “(The) Road to Dundee”. It is also known as “The Road and the Miles to Dundee”. Actually, the song is claimed both by the Scots and the Irish, since the tune was included in a prominent 1939 songbook of “Irish Street Ballads”. Dob Dylan also borrowed the melody for his “Walls of Red Wing”.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Let It Snow – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-12-21 | DescriptionIn the soundtrack for this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the holiday pop standard “Let It Snow”. Although the song's lyrics make no mention of Christmas, it is played on radio stations during the Christmas season and is regularly included on Christmas-themed albums. The song's official title is actually “Let it snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!". It was written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945. This arrangement is somewhat of a hodge-podge. The first time through (16 bars) is loosely based on the Duane Langston version, but with extensive modifications by me. For the second time through, the verse part is taken from the Gareth Evans version, while the bridge part is by me (done in a similar style to his). The slideshow consists of winter scenes with snow falling.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-12-10 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the well-known Christmas pop song “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". It was written by Johnny Marks, and the signature recording is by Brenda Lee in 1958 when she was only 13 years old. This guitar arrangement is by Duane Langston.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-12-02 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming", a Christmas carol of German origin. The melody (composer unknown) first appeared in a hymnal printed in 1599, and the familiar harmonization was written by German composer Michael Praetorius in 1609. This solo guitar arrangement is by Jim Nailon.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Silver Bells – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-11-27 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a basic, laid-back fingerstyle version of the well-known holiday season song “Silver Bells”. Songwriters are Jay Livingston (music) and Ray Evans (lyrics). The song was first performed by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the 1951 motion picture “The Lemon Drop Kid”. The first recorded version was by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards. This arrangement is by Griff Hamlin.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Over the River and Through the Woods – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-11-21 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the well-known Thanksgiving song “Over the River and Through the Woods”. The lyrics were originally an 1844 poem by Lydia Maria Child titled "The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day”. It was eventually set to a tune by an unknown composer. This arrangement is by Philip DeWalt.My TAB of this arrangement has been removed at the request of the copyright holder. The original TAB can be found at: 8notes.com
O Come, O Come , Emmanuel – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-11-18 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the traditional Christian Advent hymn “O Come, O Come , Emmanuel”. Although not technically a Christmas carol, the song is generally lumped in with them, and is part of the holiday season “soundtrack”. The arrangement is by Jim Nailon.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Winter Wonderland – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-11-13 | DescriptionIn the soundtrack for this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the holiday standard “Winter Wonderland”. Although it is actually just a winter-themed song, it is popularly regarded as a Christmas song. It was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard (music) and Richard B. Smith (lyricist). The arrangement is by Duane Langston. The slideshow follows the “Winter Wonderland” theme, and several of the pix include walkers.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
I Saw Three Ships – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-11-05 | DescriptionIn this video I'm doing a sequence of a couple of very basic fingerstyle versions of the traditional British Christmas carol “I Saw Three Ships”. I play the song's 8-bar stanza three times. The first time through is Dave Padgett's arrangement. After that, I play twice though Duane Langston's arrangement.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Blue Christmas – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-11-02 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a Travis-picked version of the holiday classic 'Blue Christmas”. The song was written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson in 1948. It became a #1 C&W hit for Ernest Tubb in 1950. Elvis Presley's 1957 album cut has become the signature version. The arrangement here is based on a partial tab I found by Bob Wolford. I filled in the other half in a similar style.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Do You Hear What I Hear – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-10-27 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the Christmas standard “Do You Hear What I Hear”. The arrangement is by Duane Langston. The song was written 1962, with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker (a husband and wife team). It was actually intended as a protest song, a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was originally recorded by the Harry Simeone Chorale that year, and was a modest hit. Then Bing Crosby made it into a major hit when he recorded his own version of it the next Christmas season.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-10-07 | DescriptionThis video is my fingerstyle arrangement of the well-known church hymn “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”. The melody is a traditional Welsh ballad tune, now known as hymn-tune ST DENIO. I go through the melody twice, with a slightly different arrangement style each time. The first time, I vary note durations some, and use plenty of inner voicings, The second time through is pretty much straight 6-to-the-bar arpeggiation and no inner voicings.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Pretty Saro - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-10-05 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of “Pretty Saro”, an Appalachian folk ballad of British ancestry. The song died out in England by the mid eighteenth century but was rediscovered in North America in the early twentieth century where it had been preserved in the Appalachian Mountains through oral traditions.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Far-Off Shore - solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-10-04 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of Kate Wolf's lovely waltz tune “Far-Off Shore”.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Cold, Cold Heart – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-10-01 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the Hank Williams standard “(Your) Cold, Cold Heart”. Hank wrote the song in 1950. The next year it twice topped the charts: it was a #1 Country hit for him, and also a #1 Pop hit for Tony Bennett. It should be noted that the melody borrows heavily from an earlier country song, “You'll Still Be in My Heart”, written by Ted West in 1943.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Roddy McCorley – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-09-30 | DescriptionThis video is my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the classic Irish folk song “Roddy McCorley”. His hanging occurred in 1800, and the song was written circa 1898 by Ethna Carbery. She may have used an already existing tune, but if so, its origins are unknown. The song has been recorded by several prominent folk acts, most notably in the U.S. by the Kingston Trio in 1962.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Jesus Loves Me – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-09-20 | DescriptionIn this video I'm attempting to play a crosspicking arrangement of “Jesus Loves Me”. The verse lyrics were originally an 1860 poem by Anna Bartlett Warner. The verse melody and all of the Refrain were added in 1862 by William Bradbury. After publication as a song it became one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches around the world, especially among children. The arrangement is by Dix Bruce.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com/.
In the Good Old Summer Time – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-09-17 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the Tin Pan Alley standard “In the Good Old Summer Time”. It was first published in 1902 with music by George Evans and lyrics by Ren Shields. The arrangement is by Philip DeWalt.My TAB of this arrangement has been removed at the request of the copyright holder. The original TAB can be found at: 8notes.com
In the Sweet Bye and Bye – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-09-15 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a Travis-picked version of the gospel standard “In the Sweet Bye and Bye”. It was written in 1868 with lyrics by S. Fillmore Bennett and music by Joseph P. Webster (both residents of Elkhorn Wisconsin). The arrangement is by Jose Getino. Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-09-12 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the Tin Pan Alley-style pop song “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree”. It was written in 1905 by Harry Williams (words) and Egbert Van Alstyne (music). The arrangement is by Philip DeWalt.My TAB of this arrangement has been removed at the request of the copyright holder. The original TAB can be found at: 8notes.com
Oklahoma Hills – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-09-08 | DescriptionThe audio track for this slideshow video is me playing a Travis-style fingerpicked version of the western song “Oklahoma Hills”. Woody Guthrie and his cousin Jack Guthrie are given co-songwriter credit. The concensus is that Woody wrote the lyrics which Jack later put the melody to. It was a hit for Jack in 1945 and for Hank Thompson in 1961. The arrangement is by Arthur Banks. The slideshow pix are of . . . what else? . . . Oklahoma hills.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Lovers Concerto – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-09-06 | DescriptionThis video is my fingerstyle arrangement of the 60's pop hit “(A) Lover's Concerto”. The song is credited to American songwriters Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, and was a #2 chart hit in 1965 for The Toys. However, the melody comes pretty much directly from “Minuet in G major” by German composer Christian Petzold circa 1700. The difference is that “Minuet” is in waltz time, while “A Lover's Concerto” doubles the duration of the first note in each measure, putting the song in 4/4 time. JS Bach has traditionally been credited with this melody, but that error was discovered in recent decades.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Flow Gently, Sweet Afton – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-08-18 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing a fingerstyle version of the 19th century parlor song ”Flow Gently, Sweet Afton”. “Sweet Afton” is a lyrical poem describing the Afton Water in Ayrshire, Scotland. It was written by Robert Burns in 1791, and set to music by Jonathan E. Spilman of Kentucky in 1837 (under the expanded title). The arrangement is by Philip DeWalt. My TAB of this arrangement has been removed at the request of the copyright holder. The original TAB can be found at: 8notes.com
Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-08-11 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing Mississippi John Hurt's melodic fingerstyle arrangement of his song “Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me”. A standard aspect of MJH's performing style was to play a melody-based guitar solo between every sung stanza. The transcription comes from Stefan Grossman.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Ill Fly Away – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-08-04 | DescriptionIn this video I'm playing my flatpicked, melody-in-the-bass arrangement of the country gospel standard “I'll Fly Away ”. It was written in 1929 by Albert Brumley of Oklahoma. With over 5,000 licensed recordings, “I’ll Fly Away” has been recorded in every language, in every country on the planet and in every genre of music. It is one of the most recognized and recorded songs in the world.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
Davy Crockett Theme Song – solo acoustic guitar Dirk Nelson 2016-06-26 | DescriptionThis video is my basic fingerstyle arrangement of the theme song from Disney's 1954 “Davy Crockett” mini-series. The song is also known as “The Ballad of Davy Crockett". Its music is by George Bruns and lyrics by Thomas W. Blackburn. It became a pop hit for multiple artists in 1955.Free TAB of this arrangement is at: http://dirknelson.weebly.com
