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!

Broom of the Cowdenknowes

(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

Broom of the Cowdenknowes

How blithe each morn was I tae see
My lass came o'er the hill
She skipped the burn and ran tae me
I met her with good will.

     O the broom, the bonnie, bonnie broom
     The broom o the cowdenknowes
     Fain would I be in the north country
     Herding her father's ewes

We neither herded ewes nor lamb
While the flock near us lay
She gathered in the sheep at night
And cheered me all the day

Hard fate that I should banished be
Gone way o'er hill and moor
Because I loved the fairest lass
That ever yet was born

Adieu, ye cowdenknowes, adieu
Farewell all pleasures there
To wander by her side again
Is all I crave or care

_____
Sing Out.  17th Century Scottish. Child #217
Recorded by Clutha- Bonny Mildams, Silly Wizard
note: Alternate tune COWDENKN.2 is the older version: from Orpheus
     Caledoneus, Thomson (1733). COWDENKN.3 from Robert Waltz; variant
     on COWDENKN.
play.exe COWDENKN.2
play.exe COWDENKN.3
SOF

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!