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!
(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
Maurice Kelly Maurice Kelly one night when about three parts loaded, Was making for home after twelve in the night. At the foot of the lane where for rest he remained A figure appeared there clothed all in white. "Good night, sir," said Kelly, but got back no answer; The figure remained just as still as a post. You look like a boxer that's rusted for fighting. " But never a word got he from the ghost. He hauled off his coat and he turned up his shirt-sleeves : "Come on, now, me bruiser," he spoke up quite clear, When the figure in white drove his head through a shutter With a left-handed smack to the butt of the ear. "One for you!," cried out Kelly, half stunned with the tumble. He then made a butt and his head struck a post, His lower and top teeth tumbled out on the street With the wonderful dart that he got from the ghost. By this time old Kelly was feeling half sober; The ghost left and right his two can-hooks did fly. He fell down on his knees, with his face like soft cheese: "Will ye call off the fight while I look for me eyes?" When the figure moved off and the fight it was ended, Old Kelly, half stunned, put his hat on his head. He crawled to the door and did humbly implore For his wife to assist him upstairs to his bed. He then told his wife how he fought with a stranger, So strong as a bull, yet a girl almost, She then told her husband his wonderful danger: She says, "Maurice, me man, you've been fighting a ghost!" 'Twas Kelly's wife dressed up in white to keep him from drinking; She gave him a beating and left him for dead, And he got such a fright he won't stir after night, But right after supper goes - (Spoken: Where do you guess?) straight off to bed. From Ballads and Sea Somgs of Newfoundland, Greanleaf tune: St. Patrick's Day in the Morning RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!