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!

Last Trip in the Fall

(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

Last Trip in the Fall
                           (Pearl Nye)

At Nick Hert's mine near Trenton
Where we put on eighty tons,
Seemed everything was right about
No matter where we'd turn,
But we kept on a-moving
For we must heed duty's call
And landed safe in Cleveland,
Where we laid up for the fall.

Window-glass ice everywhere,
We handled lines with gloves,
They soon were wet, our hands so cold,
And that nobody loves;
But soon we were all winter-set,
0 yes, were feeling fine,
And eating nuts while cracking jokes
Of things along the line.

That winter was the limit, 0 yes,
For us Big Ditch boys;
Had everything at our command
That city folk enjoy.
No matter how the cards would run,
My heart would sing and smile;
I learned these things, yes, years ago
Upon the old canal.

The feather-bedders were unique,
The side-liners just the same;
They worked or played just as they chose
'Twas their part in the game.
But on our boats we loved to go,                  ,
We moved just for the fun,
While Misses Long Green Silver dollar
We kept on the run!

But who in God's creation
Can enumerate this life?
'Tis so unique and lovely
Where the heart is free from strife.
I'm dyed in wool a Canaler;
I don't care what be the sky,
I'll stay upon the Great Big Ditch
Until the day I die!

Recorded by Pearl Nye (Library of Congress)
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!