This notation is pretty simple; dark circles mean covered holes; empty circles mean uncovered holes; a '+' below means to blow harder to get the upper octave; a '#' below means this note is too low for the whistle chosen and you'll have to fake it :) The author of this program always plays accidentals by closing holes, so you'll never see half-covered holes.
When I was starting, I found notation like this to be very helpful, and I know plenty of people who have trouble reading music who find this notation easier. Good luck!
![[GIF Score]](/wscores/BABEMILL-D.gif)
(This score available as
ABC,
SongWright,
PostScript,
PNG, or
PMW, or
a MIDI file)
(Choose a whistle key:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Ab
Bb
Cb
Db
Eb
Fb
Gb
A#
B#
C#
D#
E#
F#
G#)
Dulcimer tab
for this song is also available
Babies in the Mill by Dorsey Dixon I used to be a factory hand when things were moving slow When children worked in cotton mills, each morning had to go Every morning just at five the whistle blew on time And called them babies out of bed at the age of eight and nine Come out of bed, little sleepy head And get you a bite to eat The factory whistle's calling you There's no more time to sleep The children all grew up unlearned, they never went to school, They never learned to read or write, but they learned to spin and spool Every time I close my eyes, I see that picture still, When textile work was carried on with babies in the mill. Chorus To their jobs those little ones were strictly forced to go, Those babies had to be on time through rain and sleet and snow, Many times when things went wrong their bosses often frowned, Many times those little ones was kicked and shoved around. Chorus Old Timer can't you see that scene, that though the years go by Those babies all went on the job, the same as you and I I know you're glad that things have changed, and we have lots of fun As we go in and do the jobs that babies used to run Chorus Copyright Dorsey Dixon Estate printed in Here's to the women SOF
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!
