Digital Tradition Mirror

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!

I'm Too Old to Be a Scab

(C whistle)

(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

I'm Too Old to Be a Scab
(T-Bone Slim [Valentine Huhta])

 Goodbye, master, I must leave you,
    Something tells me I must go,
     For you know I can't deceive you,
     Going wage is too darn low.
     Yes, you say that you will lead me
     If I chop that hardwood cord;
     Do not to temptation lead me,
     I'm not toiling for my board.

 If I work for bread and lodging
     While the sun is high and warm,
     It would cause me sundry dodging
     Through the winter's cold and storm.
     I must have the all that's in it
     In the labor that I sell;
     For you cannot tell what minute
     It may start to rain like hell.

 One more question, boss, one only --
     As you count your wealth untold,
     Would you have me save bologna
     'Gainst the day when I am old ?
     Now we understand each other,
     (As we play the game of grab)
     But, please do recall, "my brother",
     I'm too old to be a scab.

(IWW Songbook, 21st Edition, 1925)

RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!