The Chords that Bind Us Together

Okay guys, there's been some confusion on chord placement in a few of our pieces, and I wanted to sketch out a few verses just to make sure we're all playing the same thing by Sunday.  I've been sloppy about it myself, and half the time the instructions I give during sessions are, um, garbled.  So here it is in writing!

The instrumental solo breaks are still the same as noted in the previous entry, but I've added information on intros and ending tags.  Also, if anyone is still lacking a printout of any needed music, please let me know, and I'll get it to you ASAP.

Tell Me Ma/Girl from Dublin City (formerly Belle of Belfast)

D D G D / D A A D
D D G D / D A A D
D D G G / D D A A
D D G G / D A A-D D

      D        D             G     D               D               A            A       D
I'll tell me Ma, when I go home, the boys won't leave the girls alone

          D          D                    G            D             D            A          A     D
They pull my hair and they stole my comb, but that's all right 'til I get home

D        D                G      G          D            D             A         A
She is handsome, she is pretty, she is the girl from Dublin city

D           D          G   G      D                        A         A     D D
She is a-courtin' 1 2 3 oh please won't you tell me who is she?

(Intro to this one is a "last 2 lines" melodic lead-in from the dulcimer; tag is "shave and a haircut" from anyone who wants to play it.  Notes are "d a-a b a, c# d.")

King of the Fairies

Take out all B7 chords (there are 3).  Just continue with whatever chord came before it.

Bard of Armagh

D G D A
D A D G
D A7 D A
D A D A-D

       D            G           D              A
Oh, list to the lay of a poor Irish harper

        D                   A                     D                 G
And scorn not the strings of this withered old hand

    D                 A7                D                           A
Remember his fingers, they once could move sharper

     D                  A                    D         A    D
To raise up the mem'ry of his dear native land

(Intro to this one is a "last 2 lines" instrumental lead-in.  Banjolele for the 1st line, everyone for the 2nd.  The tag is an instrumental repeat of the last line, ritardando.  Also, this is faster than we had previously practiced it.  Good waltz tempo with lots of swing.)

Rosin the Beau

D D D G / D D G A
D D D G / D A D D
D D G G / D D G A
D D D G / D A D D

        D                D            D                 G   D           D           G  A
I've traveled all over this wide world, and now to another I go-o

           D                       D                D          G  D                   A             D D
And I know that good quarters are waiting to welcome old Rosin the Beau

       D                  D            G  G       D                   D             G      A
To welcome old Rosin the Beau, to welcome old Rosin the Beau-o

          D                        D                D          G  D                  A              D D
And I know that good quarters are waiting to welcome old Rosin the Beau

(Intro is a "last 2 lines" dulcimer lead-in.  The first line is going to be silly and slow; I'll set the actual tempo on the second line.  No tag, but ritardando on final line, "Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau.")

House Cafe on March 14th

Hi guys, here's a recap of our performance plans for The House:

Open with Belle of Belfast:

• 8 measure dulcimer intro
• Chorus (which doubles as the first verse) - All Sing
• 2nd verse - Ashley sings
• Chorus - All Sing
• instrumental solo (a verse's worth)
• 3rd verse - Ashley sings
• Chorus - All Sing

On the "All Sing" chorus parts, y'all can just sing the second half (she is handsome, she is pretty...) if you would prefer.  Honestly, whatever you think sounds good.

Next is King of the Fairies:

• Play the entire piece, including the repeat of the first section, twice.  

Third will be Bard of Armagh.  Nathan, will you be able to sing this?

• Verse 1
• Verse 2
• violin solo
• Verse 3
• Verse 4
• tin whistle solo
• Verse 5
• Verse 6

Last will be Rosin the Beau:

• Three chords only, D G & A.  Forget the Bm and Em, we're keeping it simple.
• I don't remember how many verses there are!  But Howard is singing all of them, and Laura and I will harmonize on the response sections (if we're lucky, maybe the audience will too).  Nathan, you can either join in on the responses or maybe split the verses with Howard?  You guys work that out.

We have one more official OF practice on March 13th before this performance.  My March 6th (Sunday) is open if you guys want an extra session.  Julie has offered her house as a venue.  Let me know what you think.