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!
![[GIF Score]](/wscores/ONLYMINR-C.gif)
(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
Only a Miner (2)
("Captain Jack" Crawford)
Only a miner killed - oh! is that all?
One of the timbers caved, great was the fall,
Crushing another one shaped like his God.
Only a miner lad - under the sod.
Only a miner killed, just one more dead.
Who will provide for them - who earn their bread?
Wife and the little ones: pity them, God,
Their earthly father is under the sod.
Only a miner killed, dead on the spot,
Poor hearts are breaking in yonder lone cot.
He died at his post, a hero as brave
As any who sleeps in a marble top grave.
Only a miner killed! God, if thou wilt,
Just introduce him to Vanderbilt,
Who, with his millions, if he is there,
Can't buy one interest - even one share.
Only a miner, bury him quick;
Just w'rite his name on a piece of a stick.
Though humble and plain be the poor miner's grave
Beyond, all are equal, the master and slave.
From Only a Miner, Green
Note: John Wallace (Captain Jack) Crawford (1847-1917) was an ex-cowboy,
ex-Indian-fighter who wound up on the stage (lecture and otherwise). This
was a recitation (though it sings OK to the tune of Only a Cowboy);
reputedly it was inspired by a miner's death on the same day in 1877 that
Commodore Vanderbilt died. RG
DT #642
Laws G33
RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!