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!

The State of Arkansaw

(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

The State of Arkansaw

Come all ye true-bred Irishmen and listen to my chant;
'Tis all the lamentation of an Irish emigrant
Who lately crossed the ocean, for a fortune thought he saw,
Five hundred men were wanted in the state of Arkansaw.

The first I met was Mr. Brown, who came up with a smiling face;
He said, "Lad, come along with me;  I keep a dacent place.'
He fed me on corn dodgers and his beef you couldn't chaw,
And he charged me fifty cents a day in the state of Arkansaw.

The next I met was Mr. Green and a different face had he;
He says, "I keep a dacent place, just come along with me:
Give to me five dollars and a ticket you will draw,
That will put you to work on the railroad in the state of Arkansaw."

I traveled along the railroad till I came to Little Rock,
And every depot I came to,  my heart it got a shock,
For the divil a one I met that day extended me a paw,
Or says,  "Pat,  you're very welcome to the state of Arkansaw."

Well, now the railroad's finished, boys, and I am very glad;
I leave this part of the counteree,  or else I will go mad.
I'll go to the Cherokee nation and there I'll marry a squaw,
And as sure as hell I'll bid farewell to the state of Arkansaw.

From Songs of the People, Henry
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!