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!

Saucy Sailor

(D 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

Saucy Sailor

"Come, my fairest, come, my dearest,
And listen unto me;
Will you marry a poor sailor boy,
Who has just come home from the sea?"

"You are ragged, sir, you are dirty,
And smell so strong of tar;
Begone, you dirty sailor boy!
Begone, you Jack of tar!"

"Though I'm ragged, miss, though I'm dirty,
And smell so strong of tar,
I have pockets filled with silver, love,
And gold laid up in store."

Soon as these words were spoken,
Down on her knees she fell,
Saying, "Forgive me, noble sailor!
I love the sailor well."

"I will cross o'er the briny ocean,
Where the meadows grow so green;
But since you refused my offer, miss,
Another shall wear the ring."

"You may cross o'er the briny ocean,
Where the meadows grow so green;
But since I refused your offer, sir,
Another may wear the ring."

DT #415
Laws K38
from Cox, Folk-Songs of the South
recorded by Frankie Armstrong
tune "SAUCYSLR" from English Folk Songs, Sharp
SOF

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!