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Misc: Folk : Traditional


  1. Arthur McBride
  2. The Banks Of The Bann
  3. Black Is The Colour
  4. The Blackest Crow
    1
  5. Bonny Portmore
  6. Brennan On The Moor
  7. Cold Haily Windy Night
    1
  8. Cotton Eye Joe
    1
  9. Dark Eyes
  10. Death Of Queen Jane
  11. The Deserter
  12. Diamond Joe
  13. Dink's Song (Fare Thee Well)
  14. The Dowie Dens Of Yarrow
  15. Geordie
  16. Hang Me, Oh Hang Me
    1
  17. Hares On The Mountain
  18. High Flying Bird
  19. High Germany
    3
  20. How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live?
  21. I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground
    1
  22. The Lakes Of Pontchartrain
  23. Lord Franklin
  24. Lovely Joan
  25. Now Westlin Winds
  26. Poor Wayfaring Stranger
    2
  27. The Road And Miles To Dundee
  28. Sam Hall
  29. Scarborough Fair
  30. Shallow Brown
    1
  31. Sheath And Knife
  32. Shenandoah
    1
  33. Soldier's Joy
  34. Smuggler
  35. Snowdrop
  36. St James Infirmary
  37. Twa Corbies
  38. Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

Arthur McBride [Paul Brady]

<Trad; Roud 2355>
Tuning: DGDGBD
G
. . . . . .
C
G
D7
|--------------|--------------|---0----------|--------------|--------------|
|-0----1-3-5-7-|-8----0-0-1-3-|-5---5--3-----|-/3\1---1-----|-0---/3\1-----|
|-0----2-4-5-7-|-7----0-0-0-0-|-0--(0)-----0-|-/4\2-0-0-----|-0---/4\2---2-|
|----0---------|----0---------|----------0---|--------2-----|---0------0---|
|-0----0-0-0-0-|-0----0-0-2-4-|-5---5--4-----|--------0-----|-0----0-0-----|
|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
G
. . .
D7
G
D7/g
G
C/g
|--------------|-----------------|---------|-----------------|-0-----------|
|-0h1/3/3------|-3-----3-1-----1-|-1-------|-0-----0h1-----1-|-0-----0-0h1-|
|-0h2/4/4------|-0---0-------0---|-0h2-0---|-0---0-0h2---2-2-|-----0---0h2-|
|--------------|---0-------0-----|-------4-|---0-------0-----|---0---------|
|-0-0-0-0------|-4-----4-2-----2-|---------|-0-----0-0-----0-|-0-----0-0---|
|--------------|-----------------|-0-------|-----------------|-------------|
Oh, me and my cousin one Arthur McBride As we went a-walking down by the seaside Now mark what followed and what did betide For it being on Christmas morning Out for recreation we went on a tramp And we met sergeant napper and corporal vamp And the little wee drummer intending to camp For the day being pleasant and charming "Good morning, good morning, " the sergeant did cry "And the same to you gentlemen, " we did reply "Intending no harm but meant to pass by" "For it being on christmas morning" But says he, "My fine fellows if you would enlist" "It's ten guineas of gold I will slip in your fist" "And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust" "And drink the king's health in the morning" "For a soldier he leads a very fine life" "And he always is blessed with a charming young wife" "And he pays all his debts without sorrow and strife" "And always lives pleasant and charming" "And a soldier he always is decent and clean" "In the finest of clothing he is constantly seen" "While other poor fellows go dirty and mean" "And sup on thin gruel in the morning" But says Arthur, "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes" "For you've only the lend of them as I suppose" "And you dare not change them one night for you know" "If you do you'll be flogged in the morning" "And although that we are single and free" "We take great delight in our own company" "And we have no desires strange faces to see" "Although that your offers are charming" "And we have no desire to take your advance" "All hazards and dangers we barter on chance" "For you would have no scruples to send us to france" "Where we would get shot without warning" "Oh now, " says the sergeant, "I'll have no such chat" "And I neither will take it from small penal brats" "For if you insult me with one other word" "I'll cut off your heads in the morning" And then Arthur and I we soon drew our hogs And we scarce gave them time for to draw their own blades When a trusty shillelagh came over their heads And bade them take that as fair warning And their own rusty rapiers that hung by their sides We flung them as far as we could in the tide "Now take them up devils!" cried Arthur McBride "And temper their edge in the morning" And the little wee drummer we flattened his bow And we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow Threw it in the tide for to rock and to roll And bade it a tedious returning And we haven't no money paid them off in cracks And we paid no respect to their two bloody backs For we lathered them there like a pair of wet sacks And left them for dead in the morning And so to conclude and to finish disputes We obligingly asked them if they wanted recruits For we were the lads who would give them hard clouts And bid them look sharp in the morning Oh, me and my cousin one Arthur McBride As we went a-walking down by the seaside Now mark what followed and what did betide For it being on Christmas morning


The Banks Of The Bann

<Trad; Roud 889>
Also known as "The Bonny Brown Girl". It uses the traditional Irish melody "Slane",
When first to this country a stranger I came I laid my affections on a girl that was young She being fair and tender, her waist small and slender Fond nature had formed her for my overthrow On the banks of the Bann it was there I first met her She appeared like an angel or Egypt's fair queen Her eyes were like diamonds or stars brightly shining She's one of the fairest in the world that I've seen It was her cruel parents that first caused a variance Because they are rich and above my degree But I'll do my endeavour to gain my love's favour Although she is come of a high family My name is Delaney, it's a name that won't shame me And if I'd saved money I would never have roamed But drinking and sporting, night rambling and courting Are the cause of all me ruin and absence from home Now had I the riches that are in the Indies I'd put rings on her fingers and gold in her ears It's there on the banks of the lovely Bann River In all kinds of splendour I'd live with my dear


Black Is The Colour [Hamish Imlach]

<Trad; Roud 3103>
F
E7
Am
|--1---------------0-----------0-----------|
|--1---------------0---0-3-0---1--p0-h1----|
|--2-h2-2-0-0------1-----------2-----------|
|--3----------3-3--0-----------2-----------|
|--3---------------2-----------0-----------|
|--1---------------0-----------x-----------|
Am
F
E7
Am
Well black is the colour of my true love's hair
Am
G
E7
Her lips are like some rose, so fair
Am
G
E7
She has the sweetest face, she has the gentlest hands
F
E7
Am
I love the ground whereon she stands
I love my love and well she knows I love the ground whereon she goes And how I wish the day would come When she and I shall be as one I go to the Clyde for to mourn and weep But satisfied I never can be Well I write you a letter, just a few short lines I'll suffer death a thousand times Yes black is the colour of my true love's hair Her lips are like some rose, so fair She has the sweetest face and the gentlest hands I love the ground whereon she stands


The Blackest Crow

<Trad; Roud 422>
Capo:
II
A
(
G
)
D
G/b
D
As time draws near my dearest dear
D
Bm
When you and I must part
A
(
G
)
D
G/b
D
How little you know of the grief and woe
D
Bm
In my poor aching heart
D
(
G
)
D
Each night I suffer for your sake
Bm
A
Bm
Believe me dear hearts true?
A
(
G
)
D
G/b
D
I wish that you were staying here
D
Bm
Or I was going with you
I wish my breast were made of glass Wherein you might behold Upon my heart your name lies wrote In letters made of gold In letters made of gold my love Believe me when I say You are the darling of my heart Until my dying day The blackest crow that ever flew Would surely turn to white If ever I prove false to you Bright day would turn to night Bright day would turn to night my love The elements will mourn If ever I prove false to you The seas would rage and burn


Bonny Portmore

<Trad; Roud 3475>
C
Dm
F
C
Oh Bonny Portmore, you shine where you stand
C
Dm
F
C
And the more I think on you, the more I think long
F
C
Dm
Am
If I had you now, as I had once before
F
C
F
G
All the Lords in old England would not purchase Portmore
Oh Bonny Portmore, I am sorry to see Such woeful destruction of your ornament tree For it stood on your shore for many's the long day Till the long boats from Antrim came to float it away Oh Bonny Portmore, you shine where you stand And the more I think on you, the more I think long If I had you now, as I had once before All the Lords in old England would not purchase Portmore All the birds in the forest, they do bitterly weep Saying, "Where shall we shelter, oh where shall we sleep?" For the oak and the ash, they are all cut down And the walls of Bonny Portmore they are down to the ground Oh Bonny Portmore, you shine where you stand And the more I think on you, the more I think long If I had you now, as I had once before All the Lords in old England would not purchase Portmore


Brennan On The Moor

<Trad; Roud 476>
This is the Clancy Brothers' version. Dylan based Rambling Gambling Willie on this.
C
G
C
F
C
Oh it's of a brave young highway man this story we will tell
F
C
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell
F
C
'Twas on the Kilworth Mountains he commenced his wild career
F
C
G
And many a wealthy noble man before him shook with fear
C
Em
And it's Brennan On The Moor, Brennan On The Moor
F
C
G
C
Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan On The Moor
One day upon the highway as Willie went down He met the Mayor of Cashel a mile outside the town The mayor he knew his features and he said young man said he Your name is Willie Brennan you must come along with me And it's Brennan On The Moor, Brennan On The Moor Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan On The Moor Now Brennan's wife had gone to town provisions for to buy And when she saw her Willie she commenced to weep and cry She said hand to me that ten-penny as soon as Willie spoke She handed him a blunderbuss from underneath her cloak For young Brennan On The Moor, Brennan On The Moor Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan On The Moor Then with this loaded blunderbuss the truth I will unfold He made the Mayor to tremble and robbed him of his gold One hundred pounds was offered for his apprehension there So he with horse and saddle to the mountains did repair Did young Brennan On The Moor, Brennan On The Moor Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan On The Moor Now Brennan being an outlaw upon the mountain high With cavalry and infantry to take him they did try He laughed at them with scorn until at last 'twas said By a false-hearted woman he was cruelly betrayed And it's Brennan On The Moor, Brennan On The Moor Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan On The Moor


Cold Haily Windy Night

<Trad; Roud 135>
Bm
D
Oh me hat is frozen to me head
E
D
A
And me feet they are like a lump of lead
Bm
D
Oh me shoes they are frozen to me feet
E
A
Bm
With standing at your window
Bm
Let me in, the soldier cried
D
Bm
Cold haily windy night
Bm
Oh let me in, the soldier cried
D
E
A
Bm
For I'll not come back again oh
Oh me father he watches down on the street My mother the chamber keys do keep Oh the doors and the windows they do creak And I dare not let you in oh Oh let me in, the soldier cried Cold haily windy night Oh let me in, the soldier cried For I'll not come back again oh Oh she's rose up and let him in And she's kissed her true love cheek and chin She's drawn him between the sheets again And she opened and let him in oh Oh then she has blessed the rainy night Cold haily windy night Oh then she has blessed the rainy night That she opened and she let him in oh Oh soldier, soldier, stay with me? And soldier soldier, won't you marry me? Oh no oh no that ne'er can be So fare thee well forever Oh then she has wept for the rainy night Cold haily windy night Oh then she has wept for the rainy night That she opened and she let him in oh And he's jumped up all out of the bed And he's put his hat all on his head For she had lost her maidenhead And her mother has heard the din oh Oh then she has cursed the rainy night Cold haily windy night Oh then she has cursed the rainy night That she opened and she let him in oh


Cotton Eye Joe

<Trad; Roud 942>
This is based on Roger McGuinn's version.
G
Where did you come from?
Em
Where did you go?
G
Where did you come from
D
F
Cotton Eye Joe?
Come for to ramble Come for to sing Come for to show you A diamond ring
Instrumental verse
Where did you come from? Where did you go? Where did you come from Cotton Eye Joe? Hadn't been for Joe Cotton Eye Joe I'd a-been married forty years ago Hadn't been for Joe Cotton Eye Joe I'd a-been married forty years ago Where did you come from? Where did you go? Where did you come from Cotton Eyed Joe?


Dark Eyes

<Trad>
Black eyes, passionate eyes Burning and beautiful eyes! How I love you, how I fear you It seems I met you in an unlucky hour! Oh, not for nothing are you darker than the deep! I see mourning for my soul in you I see a triumphant flame in you A poor heart immolated in it But I am not sad, I am not sorrowful My fate is soothing to me All that is best in life that God gave us In sacrifice I returned to the fiery eyes!
Metrical Translation
Oh, these gorgeous eyes, dark and glorious eyes Burn-with-passion eyes, how you hypnotise! How I adore you so, how I fear you though Since I saw you glow! Now my spirit's low! Darkness yours conceal mighty fires real They my fate will seal: burn my soul with zeal! But my love for you, when the time is due Will refresh anew like the morning dew! No, not sad am I, nor so mad am I All my comforts lie in my destiny Just to realise my life's worthiest prize Did I sacrifice for those ardent eyes!


Death Of Queen Jane

<Trad; Child 170; Roud 77>
This is Oscar Isaac's version, using Daithi Sproule's melody.
|
G
|
D
|
C
|
x2
G
Em
G
Em
G
C
G
Queen Jane lay in labour for nine days or more
Am
D
G
D
G
Am
Bm
C
Till her women grew so tired, they could no longer there
G
D
G
Em
G
Em
They could no longer there
Good women, good women, good women as you be Will you open my right side and find my baby And find my baby Oh no, cried the women, that's a thing that can never be We will call on King Henry and hear what he may say And hear what he may say King Henry was sent for, King Henry he did come Saying, what does ail you, my lady? Your eyes, they look so dim Your eyes, they look so dim King Henry, King Henry, will you do one thing for me? Will you open my right side and find my baby And find my baby Oh no, cried King Henry, that's a thing that I can never do If I lose the flower of England, I shall lose the branch too I shall lose the branch too There was fiddling and dancing on the day the babe was born But poor Queen Jane beloved, she lay cold as a stone Lay cold as a stone


The Deserter

<Trad; Roud 493>
C
F
I was once young and foolish like many lads here
C
F
C
C
F
G
I am fond of my rambling and I am fond of my beer
C
C
A
F
But if I had my own home and my sweet liberty
F
C
G
F
G
C
I'd do no more soldiering neither by land nor by sea
Now the first time I deserted and I thought myself free Until my cruel comrade informed against me I was quickly followed after, I was brought back with speed Laid in the king's guardroom, heavy irons put on me Court martial, court martial was very soon got And the sentence passed on me was that I was to be shot May the Lord have mercy on them for their sad cruelty For now the king's duty lies heavy on me You take off those heavy irons and you let him go free And he'll prove a brave soldier for his queen and country You take off those heavy irons and you let him go free And he'll prove a brave soldier for his king and country But if I had my own home and my sweet liberty I'd do no more soldiering neither by land nor by sea


Diamond Joe [Martin Simpson]

<Trad; Roud 3585>
Capo:
III
F
Diamond Joe, come and get me
C
Diamond Joe, come and get me
Am
G/b
Diamond Joe, come and get me
C
Diamond Joe
F
C
I went up on that mountain
F
C
Gave my horn a blow
F
C
I thought I heard Miss Maybelle say
Am
G/b
C
Yonder comes my beau
Diamond Joe, come and get me... I ain't gonna tell you no story Neither word of a lie I'm gonna wait till Miss Maybelle come She ain't gonna pass me on by Diamond Joe, come and get me... Ain't gonna work in the country Neither on no farm I'm gonna wait till Miss Maybelle come She gonna carry me home Diamond Joe, come and get me... Said I ain't gonna work in the country Neither on Parchman Farm I'm gonna wait till Miss Maybelle come She gonna call me Tom Diamond Joe, come and get me...


Dink's Song (Fare Thee Well)

<Trad; Roud 10057>
C
F
C
If I had wings, like Noah's dove
Am
G
F
I'd fly up the river, to the one I love
C
F
C
G
C
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well
Well I had a man, who was long and tall Moved his body like a cannonball Fare thee well, my honey, Fare thee well I remember one evening, in the pouring rain In my heart was an aching pain Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well Muddy river is muddy and wild Can't give a bloody for my unborn child Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well Show us a bird, flying high above Life ain't worth living without the one you love Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well


The Dowie Dens Of Yarrow

<Trad; Roud 13; Child 214>
Am
G
Am
There was a lady in the north
F
Am
C
I ne'er could find her marrow She was courted by nine gentlemen
Am
Em
Am
And a ploughboy lad from Yarrow
These nine sat drinking at the wine As oft they'd done before, O They have made a vow among themselves To fight with him on Yarrow She's washed his face and combed his hair As oft they'd done before, O She's made him like a knight so bright To fight with her on Yarrow As he walked up yon high, high hill And down by the homes o' Yarrow There he saw nine armed men Come to fight with him on Yarrow "There's nine o' you, there's one o' me It's an unequal marrow But I'll fight you a-one by one On the dowie dens o' Yarrow" And there he flew and there he slew And there he wounded sorely Till her brother John came in beyond And pierced his heart most foully "O, father, dear, I dreamed a dream A dream o' dule and sorrow I dreamed I was pulling the heather bell On the dowie dens o' Yarrow" As she walked up yon high, high hill And down by the homes o' Yarrow There she saw her Willie dear Lying pale and dead on Yarrow Her hair it being three quarters lang The colour it was yellow She wrapped it round his middle so small And bore him down to Yarrow "O, father dear, you've seven sons You may wed them all tomorrow For the fairest flower among them all Was the lad I lo'ed on Yarrow" This fair maid being big with child A fact which did cause her sorrow She lay dead in her lover's arms Between that day and morrow


Geordie [Joan Baez]

<Trad; Child 209; Roud 90>
Capo:
I
Em
D
C
G
As I walked out over London bridge
Em
G
D
One misty morning early
Em
G
D
Bm
I overheard a fair pretty maid
C
B
Em
Was lamenting for her Geordie
Ah, my Geordie will be hanged in a golden chain 'Tis not the chain of many He was born of king's royal breed And lost to a virtuous lady Go bridle me my milk white steed Go bridle me my pony I will ride to London court To plead for the life of my Geordie Ah, my Geordie never stole nor cow nor calf He never hurted any Stole sixteen of the king's royal deer And he sold them in Bohenny Two pretty babies have I born The third lies in my body I'd freely part with them every one If you'd spare the life of Geordie The judge looked over his left shoulder He said, fair maid, I'm sorry He said, fair maid, you must be gone For I cannot pardon Geordie Ah, my Geordie will be hanged in a golden chain 'Tis not the chain of many Stole sixteen of the king's royal deer And he sold them in Bohenny


Hang Me, Oh Hang Me

<Trad; Roud 17886>
Tuning: DADGBE (Drop D)
D
G
D
Hang me, oh, hang me, I'll be dead and gone
Bm
G
D
Hang me, oh, hang me, I'll be dead and gone
Bm
D
Bm
I wouldn't mind the hangin', but the layin' in the grave so long
Bb
A
D
Poor boy, I been all around this world
I been all around Cape Jerdo, parts of Arkansas I been all around Cape Jerdo, parts of Arkansas I got so goddamned hungry I could hide behind a straw Poor boy, I been all around this world Went up on a mountain, there I made my stand Went up on a mountain, there I made my stand A rifle on my shoulder and a dagger in my hand Poor boy, I been all around this world Put the rope around my neck, they hung me up so high Put the rope around my neck and hung me up so high The last words I heard 'em say, "Won't be long now 'fore ya die" Poor boy, I been all around this world So, hang me, oh, hang me, I'll be dead and gone Hang me, oh, hang me and I'll be dead and gone I wouldn't mind the hangin', but the layin' in the grave so long Poor boy, I been all around this world


Hares On The Mountain

<Trad; Roud 329>
Em
G
(
C
)
Em
Oh Sally, my dear, it's you I'd be kissing
Em
G
(
C
)
Em
Oh Sally, my dear, it's you I'd be kissing
C
G
B7
Em
She smiled and replied, "You don't know what you're missing!"
Oh Sally, my dear, I wish I could wed you Oh Sally, my dear, I wish I could bed you She smiled and replied, "Then you'd say I misled you!" If all you young men were hares on the mountain If all you young men were hares on the mountain How many young girls would take guns and go hunting? If the young men could sing like blackbirds and thrushes If the young men could sing like blackbirds and thrushes How many young girls would go beating the bushes? If all you young men were fish in the water If all you young men were fish in the water How many young girls would undress and dive after? But the young men are given to frisking and fooling Oh the young men are given to frisking and fooling So I'll leave them alone and attend to my schooling
Additional verses from Fern Maddie
If all the young men were rushes a-growing If all the young men were rushes a-growing How many young maids would take scythes and go mowing? If all the young were sheep in the meadow If all the young were sheep in the meadow How many young maids would be burning the tallow?


High Flying Bird

<Edd Wheeler>
Bm
E
E7
Bm
E
E7
There's a high flyin' bird
Bm
E
E7
Flying way up in the sky now
Bm
F#m
F#
Bm
Yes and I wonder if she looks down as she flies on by?
G
A
F#
Well she's floating on the air so so freely in the sky
Bm
E7
Lord look at me here
Bm
E7
I'm rooted like a tree here
Bm
A
Got those sit down, can't cry
G
F#m
Bm
Oh Lord I wanna die blues
Now the sun it comes up And lights up the day And when he gets tired, Lord, he goes on his way To the east and to the west he meets God every day Now I had a man He worked in a mine, Lord He never saw the sun but, Lord, she never stopped crying Then one day my man up and died, Lord, he up and dies now He wanted to die and the only way to fly is to die There's a high flyin' bird Flying way up in the sky now And I wonder if she looks down as she flies on by? Well she's flying so freely in the sky


High Germany

<Trad; Roud 904>
Em
G
Am
Em
"Oh Polly love, oh Polly, the rout has now begun
G
C
G
D
Em
And we must go a-marching to the beating of the drum
G
C
G
D
Go dress yourself all in your best and come along with me
Em
G
Am
Em
I'll take you to the cruel war in High Germany"
"Oh Willy love, oh Willy, come list what I do say My feet they are so tender, I cannot march away And besides, my dearest Willy, I am with child by thee Not fit for the cruel war in High Germany "I'll buy for you a horse, my love, and on it you shall ride And all my delight shall be a-riding by your side We'll stop at every alehouse and drink when we are dry We'll be true to one another, get married by and by" Oh, cursed be them cruel wars that ever they should rise And out of Merry England press many a man likewise They pressed my true love from me, likewise my brothers three And sent them to the cruel wars in High Germany No, my friends I do not value nor my foes I do not fear Now my love has left me I wander far and near And when my baby it is born and a-smiling on my knee I'll think on lovely Willy in High Germany "Oh Polly love, oh Polly, the rout has now begun And we must go a-marching to the beating of the drum Go dress yourself all in your best and come along with me I'll take you to the cruel war in High Germany"


How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live?

<Trad; Roud 18867; Blind Alfred Reed>
G
D
G
Well, the doctor comes round here with his face all bright
D
And he says, "In a little while you'll be alright"
G
All he gives is a humbug pill
C
Am
A dose of dope and a great big bill
G
D
C
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
He says "me and my old school pals had some might high times down here And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain't fair" He took a look around gave a little pep talk Said, "I'm with you," then he took a little walk Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live? There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levee's gone to Hell Martha, get me my sixteen-gauge and some dry shells Them who's got got out of town And them who ain't got left to drown Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live? I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore And I ain't got no home in this world no more Gonna be a judgement, that's a fact A righteous train rollin' down this track Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?


I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground

<Trad; Roud 4957>
Bascom Lamar, 1928
C
G
C
I wish I was a mole in the ground
F
C
Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground
F
C
If I's a mole in the ground I'd root that mountain down
G
C
And I wish I was a mole in the ground
Oh, Kimpy wants a nine dollar shawl Yes, Kimpy wants a nine dollar shawl When I come o'er the hill with a forty dollar bill Baby, where you been so long? I been in the Bend so long Yes, I been in the Bend so long I been in the Bend with the rough and rowdy men Baby, where you been so long? Oh, I don't like a railroad man No, I don't like a railroad man The railroad man he'll kill you when he can Drink up your blood like wine Oh, I wish I was a lizard in the spring Yes, I wish I was a lizard in the spring If I's a lizard in the spring I'd hear my darlin' sing And I wish I was a lizard in the spring Oh Kimpy, let your hair roll down Kimpy, let your hair roll down Let your hair roll down and your bangs curl around Oh Kimpy, let your hair roll down I wish I was a mole in the ground Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground If I's a mole in the ground I'd root that mountain down And I wish I was a mole in the ground


The Lakes Of Pontchartrain [Paul Brady]

<Trad>
Tuning: DGDGBD (Open G)
G x00000 D(vii) x77x7x
G(xii) xxx0C0 Dsus4 x0043x
C(v) x5505x Bm x4400x
C(i) x22x1x F#m x99x8x
D(ii) x2x2xx D7 0x0530
D(iii) x44x3x
|----------------------0-------0-----0--------------------0---------------0---|
|---3--5--3--5---h---0---0---0-----0-------------5-------12-------5-------12--|
|-0-------------2^4--------2-----0-------------0---0------0-----0-----0---0---|
|---------------0----------------------2-4---5-------5--------5-----5---0-----|
|---0--5--0--5-----------------------------5-----------0----5-----------------|
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G
C(v)
D(iii)
C(v)
G
D(ii)
Dsus4
'Twas on one bright March morning
C(i)
D(vii)
G
C(i)
D(iii)
C(v)
I bid New Orleans adieu
G
Bm
F#m
And I took the road to Jackson town
D(vii)
C(v)
D(iii)
C(i)
G
C(i)
D(iii)
C(v)
My fortune to renew
G
Bm
F#m
D(vii)
C(v)
I cursed all foreign money
D(iii)
C(i)
G
C(i)
D(iii)
C(v)
No credit could I gain
G
C(v)
D(iii)
C(v)
D7
Which filled my heart with longing for
G
C(v)
D7
G
C(v)
G(xii)
C(v)
G(xii)
The lakes of Pontchartrain
I stepped on board of a railroad car Beneath the morning sun I rode the rods till evening And I laid me down again All strangers were no friends to me Till a dark girl towards me came And I fell in love with a Creole girl By the lakes of Pontchartrain I said, My pretty Creole girl My money here's no good And if it weren't for the alligator I'd sleep out in the wood You're welcome here, kind stranger Our house is very plain But we never turned a stranger out On the banks of Pontchartrain She took me in to her mammy's house And treated me quite well The hair upon her shoulders In jet black ringlets fell To try to paint her beauty I'm sure 'twould be in vain So handsome was my Creole girl On the lakes of Pontchartrain I asked her if she'd marry me She said that never could be For she had a lover And he was far at sea She said that she would wait for him And true she would remain Till he returned to his Creole girl On the lakes of Pontchartrain So fair thee well, my pretty young girl I never may see you no more But I'll never forget your kindness In the cottage by the shore And at each social gathering A flowing glass I'll drain And I'll drink a health to my Creole girl By the lakes of Pontchartrain


Lord Franklin

<Trad; Roud 487>
The basis of the Bob Dylan song Bob Dylan's Dream.
D
G
I was homeward bound one night on the deep
Em
A
Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep
D
G
D
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
Em
A
G
D
G
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew
D
G
With a hundred seamen he sailed away
Em
A
O'er frozen oceans in the month of May
D
G
D
To seek a passage around the pole
Em
A
G
D
G
Where we poor seamen must sometimes go
D
G
Through cruel hardships they mainly strove
Em
A
Their ship on mountains of ice was drove
D
G
D
Only the Eskimo with his skin canoe
Em
A
G
D
G
Was the only one that ever came through
D
G
In Baffin's Bay where the whale fishes blow
Em
A
The fate of Franklin no man may know
D
G
D
The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell
Em
A
G
D
G
Lord Franklin alone with his sailors does dwell
D
G
And now my body it gives me pain
Em
A
For my long lost Franklin I would cross the main
D
G
D
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
Em
A
G
D
G
D
To know on earth that my Franklin does live


Lovely Joan [Martin Carthy]

<Trad; Roud 592>
Tuning: CGCDGA
Most of the bass notes are muted. The notes in brackets are fingered with the
left hand but not actually played with the right, so they're a bit like
hammer-ons, and they give an idea of the chord.
Intro
C
F
C
F
C
F
G
C
G
C
F
C
Csus4
G7
A|-0------------------|---------------------|---0-------5------0------------|-----0-----------------|
G|---4-5---0----------|----0------------0---|--0--4--5---5--4----0-----0----|----0--4-5---0-------0-|
D|-------------0---0--|----------0--------0-|--------5----------------------|-----------------0---0-|
C|-------4---5---2-2--|-/5---5\4---0--------|-----------------------4-----0-|-4/5-------4---5---2-2-|
G|-----5-----------0--|--------------10---7-|-------(5)---------------------|---------5-----------0-|
C|-0------------------|---------------------|-0------0------0------(4)-0----|-----------------------|
Verse
A|-0---------------|----------------------|-0-----------------|-----0---------------------|
G|----5----0-----0-|----0------------0----|-----5-------0-----|----0---5----0----------0--|
D|------------0--0-|----------0---------0-|-----5---------(5)-|--------5---------0-----0--|
C|-------4---5---2-|-/5---5\4---0---------|--------0h4--------|-4/5-------4---5-----2-----|
G|----5----------0-|--------------10----7-|----(5)---------5--|-------(5)--------------0--|
C|-0---------------|----------------------|-0--------4--------|--------0------------------|
Verse variations
A|--0--------------|---------------------------|--0----------------|-------------------|
G|--0--0-----------|-------0-------------0-----|------5------------|--------------0----|
D|-----5--------0--|-------------0-----------0-|------5------------|--4--5----0---0----|
C|-------4/5-------|--4/5----5\4---0-----------|----------5--4--0--|--------5----------|
G|-----5--------0--|-----------------10------7-|------5------------|--4--5-------7-----|
C|--0----4/5--7----|----0----0-----------------|--0-------5--4--0--|-------------------|
Break/verse variations
A|-------0--------------------|-------------------------|---0----------------0-------|-----0---------------|
G|-----0------------0-------0-|-----0--------------0----|--0-------7----------0---0--|----0--5---0-------0-|
D|---------9--10--------0---0-|-----------0----------0--|-----9-10---10--------------|-------5-------0---0-|
C|-5/7----------------5---2---|-4/5---5\4---0-----------|--------------9/11--------0-|-4/5-----4---5---2---|
G|----------------9---------0-|----------------10----7--|----------------------9-----|-------------------0-|
C|-------------0--------------|-------------------------|-0------0-------------------|-------0-------------|
Suggested variation (he doesn't play it exactly like this but it's a bit simpler and it sounds ok)
A|-----0-------------------|-------0-----------------|---0------------0-----------|-----0---------------|
G|---0---4--5---------0----|-----0--------------0----|--0--4--5----4----0----0----|----0--0-------------|
D|----------5------------0-|----------5-----------0--|--------5-------------------|-------5--------0--0-|
C|-------------4----5----2-|-4/5---------0--5/7------|--------------------4-----0-|-4/5------0--0h5---2-|
G|----------5--------------|----------5-----------7--|--------5-------------------|-------5-----------0-|
C|-0-----------------------|-------------------------|-0-----------0---------0----|---------------------|
A fine young man it was indeed Mounted on his milk-white steed He rode, he rode, and he rode all alone Until he came to lovely Joan "Good morning to you, my pretty maid" And "Twice good morning, sir," she said He tipped her the wink, and she rolled her dark eye Says he to himself, "I'll be there by and by" "Oh, don't you think these pooks of hay A pretty place for us to play? So come with me, me sweet young thing And I'll give you my golden ring" So he took off his ring of gold Says, "Me pretty fair miss, do this behold Freely I'll give it for your maidenhead" And her cheeks they blushed like the roses red "Come give that ring into my hand And I will neither stay nor stand For your ring is worth much more to me Than twenty maidenheads," said she And as he made for the pooks of hay She leapt on his horse and tore away He called, he called, but he called in vain For Joan she ne'er looked back again Nor did she she think herself quite safe Until she came to her true love's gate She'd robbed him of his horse and ring And she left him to rage in the meadows green


Now Westlin Winds

<Trad; Roud 6936>
Capo:
III
(* means 2h4p2p0)
Intro (also repeated between verses)
|-------0--------|---------------0| |-------0--------|
|---------------0|-------------0--| x3 |---------------0|
|-----5-------4--|-----2*----0----| |-----5-------4--|
|---5-------5----|---0-----4------| |---5-------5----|
|----------------|----------------| |----------------|
|-5-------5------|-0--------------| |-5-------5------|
Verse
|-------------0--|-----0-------0--|-----0----------|----------------|
|-------0-------0|---------2p0---0|-0-----0-------0|-------0--------|
|-----2-----2----|---0---0----0---|---2---------0--|-----------2----|
|---0------------|---------0------|-----------2----|-2*----------4--|
|----------------|----------------|---------0------|-----4----------|
|-0-------4------|-5--------------|-4--------------|---------0-----4|
|-------------0--|----------------|-------0|
|-----2---2p0----|-----0----------|-----0--|
|---0---0----0---|---0---------2*-|---0----|
|---------0------|-2----2p0--0----|-4------|
|---------------0|----------------|--------|
|-5--------------|---------0------|--------|
|-------------0--|-----0-------0--|-----0----------|----------------|
|-------0-------0|---------2p0---0|-0-----0-------0|-------0--------|
|-----2-----2----|---0---0----0---|---2---------0--|-----------2----|
|---0------------|---------0------|-----------2----|-2*----------4--|
|----------------|----------------|---------0------|-----4----------|
|-0-------4------|-5--------------|-4--------------|---------0-----4|
|-------------0--|----------------|-------0|
|-----2---2p0----|-----0----------|-----0--|
|---0---0----0---|---0---------2*-|---0----|
|---------0------|-2----2p0--0----|-4------|
|---------------0|----------------|--------|
|-5--------------|---------0------|--------|
|-----0-------0--|-----0----------|----(0)-(0)--0--|-----0-------0--|
|-------0-------0|-------0---0----|-----2---2p0----|h2--p0---0------|
|---2-------2----|---2-----------2|---0---0----0--0|---0---0---2---2|
|---------0------|---------0------|---------0------|----------------|
|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
|-0--------------|-4-----------4--|-5--------------|-5-------4------|
|-----0----------|-------------0--|-------------0--|-----0----------|
|-------0-------0|-------0--------|-----2---2p0----|-0-------------0|
|---2---------0--|-----------2----|---0---0----0--0|---2---2-----0--|
|-0---------2----|-2*-------------|----------------|-----------2----|
|---------0------|-----4----------|----------------|---------0------|
|----------------|---------0-----4|-5--------------|-4--------------|
|-------------0--|---------0---0--|----------------|-------0|
|-------0--------|-----2---2p0----|-----0----------|-----0--|
|-----------2----|---0---0----0---|---0---------2*-|---0----|
|-2*-------------|----------------|-2----2p0--0----|-4------|
|-----4----------|---------------0|----------------|--------|
|---------0-----4|-5--------------|---------0------|--------|
Outro
|-------0--------|---------------0| |-------0--------|-0------|
|---------------0|-------------0--| x2 |---------------0|-0------|
|-----5-------4--|-----2*----0----| |-----5-------4--|-2------|
|---5-------5----|---0-----4------| |---5-------5----|-0------|
|----------------|----------------| |----------------|-0------|
|-5-------5------|-0--------------| |-5-------5------|-0------|
Lyrics by Robert Burns
Now westlin winds, and slaughtering guns Bring Autumn's pleasant weather The moorcock springs on whirring wings Among the blooming heather Now waving grain, wide o'er the plain Delights the weary farmer And the moon shines bright, as I rove by night To muse upon my charmer The partridge loves the fruitful fells The plover loves the mountains The woodcock haunts the lonely dells The soaring heron the fountains Through lofty groves, the cushat roves The path o' man to shun it The hazel bush overhangs the thrush The spreading thorn the linnet Thus every kind their pleasure find The savage and the tender Some social join, and leagues combine Some solitary wander Avaunt, away, the cruel sway! Tyrannic man's dominion! The sportsman's joy, the murdering cry The fluttering, gory pinion! But Peggy dear, the evening's clear Swift flies the skimming swallow The sky is blue, the fields in view All fading green and yellow Come let us stray our gladsome way And view the charms of Nature The rustling corn, the fruited thorn And every happy creature We'll gently walk, and sweetly talk While the silent moon shines clearly I'll clasp thy waist, and fondly pressed Swear how I love thee dearly Not vernal showers to budding flowers Not Autumn to the farmer So dear can be, as thou to me My fair, my lovely charmer!


Poor Wayfaring Stranger

<Trad; Roud 3339>
Am
Dm
E
Am
Am
I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
Dm
Am
Travelling through this world below
Am
There is no sickness, no toil nor danger
Dm
E
Am
In that bright land to which I go
F
C
I'm going there to see my father
F
E
E7
E
And all my loved ones who've gone on
Am
I'm just going over Jordan
Dm
E
Am
I'm just going over home
Am
Dm
E
Am
Am
Dm
E
Am
I know dark clouds will gather round me I know my way is hard and steep But beautious fields arise before me Where God redeems there vigils keep I'm going there to see my mother She said she'd meet me when I come I'm just going over Jordan I'm just going over home


The Road And Miles To Dundee

<Trad; Roud 2300>
Source of the tune of Bob Dylan's song Walls of Red Wing.
D
G
D
Cold winter was turnin' o'er moor and o'er mountain
G
D
E7
A7
And wild was the surge on the dark rollin' sea
D
G
D
When I met about daybreak a bonny young lassie
G
D
A7
D
That asked me the road and the miles to Dundee
I said, "My young lassie, I cannae well tell ye The road and the distance I ne'er can well gauge But if you'll permit me to gang a wee bittie I'll show ye the road and the miles to Dundee At once she consented and gave me her arm Nae a word did I speir wham that lassie might hear She appeared like an angel in feature and form As she walked by my side on the road to Dundee At length with the Howe o' Strathmartine behind us The spires o' the toon in full view we could see She said, "Gentle sir, I can never forget ye For showin' me so far on the road to Dundee This ring and this purse please accept as a token And surely there's somethin' that ye can give me That in years to come I'll the laddie remember Who showed me the road and the miles to Dundee?" I took the gold pin from the scarf on my bosom And said, "Take ye this, in remembrance o' me" And bravely I kissed the sweet lips o' the lassie 'Ere I parted wi' her on the road to Dundee So here's to the lassie, I ne'er will forget her To ilk a young laddie that's listenin' to me Never be sweir to convoy a young lassie Though it's only to show her the road to Dundee


Sam Hall

<Trad; Roud 369>
D
G
D
A
Oh, my name it is Sam Hall, chimney sweep, chimney sweep
D
G
D
Oh, my name it is Sam Hall, chimney sweep
G
D
A
Oh, my name it is Sam Hall and I've robbed both great and small
D
G
D
A
And my neck shall pay for all, when I die, when I die
D
G
D
And my neck shall pay for all, when I die
I have twenty pounds in store, that's not all, that's not all I have twenty pounds in store, that's not all I have twenty pounds in store and I'll rob for twenty more For the rich must help the poor, so must I, so must I For the rich must help the poor, so must I Oh, they brought me to Coot Hill in a cart, in a cart Oh, they brought me to Coot Hill in a cart Oh, they brought me to Coot Hill, that's where I made my will Saying, the best of friends must part, so must I, so must I Saying, the best of friends must part, so must I Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke, that's no joke Up the ladder I did grope, that's no joke Up the ladder I did grope and the hangman fixed the rope But never a word I spoke coming down, coming down But never a word I spoke coming down Oh, my name it is Sam Hall, chimney sweep, chimney sweep Oh, my name it is Sam Hall, chimney sweep Oh, my name it is Sam Hall and I've robbed both great and small And my neck shall pay for all, when I die, when I die And my neck shall pay for all, when I die


Scarborough Fair

<Trad; Child 2; Roud 12>
Tuning: DAC (Dulcimer: Aeolian)
Melody:
D|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
A|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
C|-1--1--|-5--5--|-2-3-2-|-1-----|-1-5-7-|-8--7--|-5-5-4-|
D|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
A|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
C|-5-----|-5--8--|-8--8--|-7--5--|-5-4-3-|-2--0--|-0-----|
D|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
A|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
C|-1--5--|-4--3--|-2-1-0-|-1-----|-1-----|
Chordal Accompaniment:
D|-0-----|-0-----|-3-----|-0-----|-0-4-6-|-0-----|-4--4--|
A|-0-----|-4-----|-4-----|-0-----|-0-4-6-|-7-----|-3--3--|
C|-1-----|-5-----|-0-----|-1-----|-1-0-0-|-8-----|-5--4--|
D|-4-----|-4-----|-0-----|-0-----|-0-----|-3-----|-3-----|
A|-3-----|-3-----|-0-----|-4-----|-0-----|-4-----|-4-----|
C|-3-----|-3-----|-5-----|-4-----|-3-----|-0-----|-0-----|
D|-0-----|-6-----|-4-----|-0-----|-0-----|
A|-3-----|-6-----|-4-----|-3-----|-3-----|
C|-3-----|-0-----|-0-----|-0-----|-0-----|
Finger-Picked Accompaniment:
D|-----4-----4-|-----4-----4-|-----4-----4-|-----4-----4-|
A|---4-----4---|---4-----4---|---4-----4---|---4-----4---|
C|-5-----3-----|-7-----3-----|-5-----3-----|-7-----3-----|
D|-----0-----0-|-----0-----0-|-----0-----0-|-----4-----4-|
A|---4-----4---|---3-----3---|---3-----3---|---0-----0---|
C|-5-----5-----|-5-----5-----|-0-----0-----|-3-----3-----|
D|-------------|-----4-------|-----0-------|-----0-----0-|
A|-0-----3---4-|---3---3-----|-----3---3---|---4-----4---|
C|-----3---4---|-5-------2---|-1---4-------|-5-----0-----|
D|-----0-------|-----0-----0-|-----0-----0-|-------------|
A|---4---4---4-|---3-----3---|---3-----3---|-----4---3---|
C|-7-------5---|-5-----5-----|-4-----4-----|-3-----------|
D|-----3-----3-|-----3-------|-----0-----0-|-6-------0---|
A|---4-----4---|---4-----4---|---0-----7---|-6-------3---|
C|-0-----0-----|-0-----0-----|-3-----0-----|-----0---3---|
D|---3---------|-3-----------|-3-----------|
A|-----0-------|-3-----------|-3-----------|
C|-2-----2-5---|-0-----------|-0-----------|


Shallow Brown

<Trad; Roud 2621>
Capo:
V
C
G
Fare thee well, my Julianna
G
Am
G
F
Shallow, shallow brown
C
G
Fare thee well, my Julianna
F
(
Em
Dm
)
C
Shallow, oh shallow brown
I'm gonna leave you in the morning Just as the day is dawning
Instrumental verse
Well my master's gonna sell me He's gonna sell me to a Yankee He's gonna sell me for a dollar For a shiny Spanish dollar
Instrumental verse
So it grieves my heart to leave you But I never would deceive you For I love to gaze upon you And to spend my money on you
Instrumental verse
Fare thee well, my Julianna Fare thee well, my Julianna


Sheath And Knife

<Trad; Roud 3960; Child 16>
Arranged by Maddy Prior
G
|
G
C
G
It's whispered in the kitchen, it's whispered in the hall
G
C
G
|
G
D
C
The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair!
G
|
G
D
C
That king's daughter goes with child among the ladies all
G
|
G
D
G
And they'll never go down to the broom any more!
It's whispered by the ladies one unto the other The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair That king's daughter goes with child unto her own brother And they'll never go down to the broom any more He's taken his sister down to his father's deer park The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair With a yew tree bow and arrow slung fast across his back And they'll never go down to the broom any more And when it is you hear me, give a loud cry The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair Shoot from your bow an arrow and there let me lie And we'll never go down to the broom any more And when that you see that I am lying dead The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair Put me in a grave, with a turf all at my head And we'll never go down to the broom any more And when he has heard her, give a loud cry Oh the broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair A silver arrow from his bow he suddenly let fly And they'll never go down to the broom any more Then he has dug a grave both long and deep The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair And he buried his own sister with their babe at her feet And they'll never go down to the broom any more Then he has gone home to his father's own hall The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair There was music and dancing, there were minstrels and all And they'll never go down to the broom any more Oh Willie, oh Willie, what gives you such pain? The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair I have lost a sheath and knife I will never find again And they'll never go down to the broom any more The ships of your father are sailing on the sea The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair Can bring as good a sheath and knife unto thee And you'll never go down to the broom any more The ships of my father are sailing on the sea The broom blooms bonny, the broom blooms fair Can never, ever bring such a sheath and knife to me And we'll never go down to the broom any more


Shenandoah

<Trad; Roud 324>
D
G
D
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
G
D
Away, you rolling river
G
F#m
Em
D
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Bm
A
D
A
D
Away, I'm bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter Away, you rolling river Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter Away, I'm bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri 'Tis seven long years since last I saw you Away, you rolling river 'Tis seven long years since last I saw you Away, I'm bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter Away, you rolling river Oh Shenandoah, I'll come to claim her Away, I'm bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri


Soldier's Joy

<Trad>
Tuning: GCGBD (banjo drop C)
Fiddle tune arranged for banjo
Intro [1st A part
D|-2-----1-----2-|-----2----------|-----------------|-------0-------|-----------------|
B|-1---1-----1---|---1-----1--1---|---1-------------|-----0---1-1---|---1-------------|
G|---------------|------------0h2-|-0---------0-----|-0h2-------0h2-|-0---------0-----|
C|---------------|----------------|-----3/4-0---3/4-|---------------|-----3/4-0---3/4-|
G|---0-----0-----|-0-----0--------|-----------------|---------------|-----------------|
G
C
G
C
D|-----0---0-----|-----------------|-------0------0-|---0-----0-----0-|----2----------|
B|---0-------1---|---1-------------|-----0---1--1---|-5-----5-----0---|-1-----1-------|
G|-----------0h2-|-0---------0-----|-0h2------------|-----5-----5-----|----------1----|
C|-2-------------|-----3/4-0---3/4-|----------------|-----------------|----------0h2--|
G|-------0-------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|---------------|
2nd A part
G
C
D|-----------------|-------0-------|----------0-----|-----3---3-----|-----------------|
B|---1-------------|-0-------1-----|-1----1-------1-|---0-------1---|---1-------------|
G|-0---------0-----|---1h2-----0h2-|----2---0-------|-----------0h2-|-0---------0-----|
C|-----3/4-0---3/4-|---------------|------------4---|-2-------------|-----3/4-0---3/4-|
G|-----------------|---------------|----------------|-------0-------|-----------------|


Smuggler

<Trad>
Capo:
III
D
A
D
G
D
A
The boat rides South of Ailsa Craig in the waning of the light
G
D
D
Bm
G
D
A
There's thirty men in Lendalfit to make our burdens light
D
A
D
G
D
A
And there's thirty horse at Hazelholm with the halters on their heads
G
D
D
Bm
G
A
D
All set this night upon yon height if wind and water speed
Bm
F#m
Smugglers drink of the Frenchman's wine
Bm
D
A
And the darkest night is the smuggler's time
G
D
Bm
Away we ran from the excise man
D
G
It's a smuggler's life for me
D
A
D
It's a smuggler's life for me
Oh, lass ye have a cosy bed and cattle ye have ten Can ye no live a lawful life and live with lawful men? But must I live with homely goods when there's foreign gear so fine Must I drink at the waterside, and France so full of wine? Smugglers drink of the Frenchman's wine And the darkest night is the smuggler's time Away we ran from the excise man It's a smuggler's life for me It's a smuggler's life for me And when at last the sun comes up and the cargo's safely stored Like sinless saints to church we'll go, God's mercy to afford And there's champagne fine for communion wine, the parson drinks it too With a sly wink prays "Forgive these men, for they know not what they do" Smugglers drink of the Frenchman's wine And the darkest night is the smuggler's time Away we ran from the excise man It's a smuggler's life for me It's a smuggler's life for me


Snowdrop

<Trad>
Tuning: GCGCE (banjo open C)
|-8-8---10-10---|-10h12-12-12-12|-12-12-10-10---|-8---8-10-10---|
|---0------0----|---------------|---------------|---------------|
|---0------0----|---------------|---------------|---------------|
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
|-----0-------0-|---------0-----|---0---------0-|---0---------0-|
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1. 2.
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St James Infirmary

<Trad; Roud 2>
Dm
A7
Dm
I went down to St. James Infirmary
Gm
A7
I saw my sweetheart there
Dm
A7
Dm
Lying on a table
Gm
A7
Dm
So cold, so white, so fair
A7
Dm
I went up to see the doctor
Gm
A7
"She's very low" he said
Dm
A7
Dm
I went back to see my baby
A7
(
Bb7
)
Dm
And great God she was lying there dead, lying there dead
Let her go. Let her go, God bless her Where ever she may be She may search death like life But she'll never find another man like me When I die please bury me In a high top stetson hat Put gold coins over my eyelids So the boys will know I died standing pat Get six gamblers to carry my coffin Six chorus girls to sing my song Put a jazz band on my tail gate To raise hell as we roll along This is the end of my story So let's have another round of booze And if anyone should ask you just tell them I've got the St. James Infirmary blues


Twa Corbies

<Trad; Child 26; Roud 5>
Em
D
Em
Em
D
Em
As I was walking all alane
Em
D
Em
I heard twa corbies makin' mane
G
D
And one onto the other did say
Em
D
Em
"Where shall we gang and dine the day
Em
D
Em
Where shall we gang and dine the day?"
"In behind yon old fail dyke I wot there lies a new slain knight And nobody kens that he lies there But his hawk and his hound and his lady fair His hawk and his hound and his lady fair" His hawk is to the hunting gone His hound to fetch the wildfowl home His lady has taken another mate So we can make our dinner sweet We can make our dinner sweet" "You can sit on his white breast bone And I'll pick out his bonny blue een And with a lock of his yellow hair We'll theek our nest when it grows bare We'll theek our nest when it grows bare" "And many's a one for him makes moan Nobody kens where he has gone Through his white bones when they grow bare The wind shall blow forever mare The wind shall blow forever mare"


Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

<Trad; Roud 3421>
E
(
E7
)
A
G
My girl, my girl, don't lie to me
B7
E
Tell me where did you sleep last night?
E
(
E7
)
A
G
In the pines, in the pines, where the sun don't ever shine
B7
E
I will shiver the whole night through
My girl, my girl, where will you go? I'm going where the cold wind blows In the pines, in the pines, where the sun don't ever shine I will shiver the whole night through My husband was a hard working man Still a mile and a half from here His head was found in the driving wheel And his body never never been found My girl, my girl, don't you lie to me Tell me where did you sleep last night? In the pines, in the pines, where the sun don't ever shine I will shiver the whole night through