British Folk Songs

Hi,

Can anyone reccomend a good book of British folk songs, for the uke, please?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Athos

A shameless bump!

C'mon, somebody must have some ideas, surely? Pleeeeeeeeeeeease.

I made tabs for "I vow to thee my country" Not sure if that would be considered a folk song though...

Look at Ken Middleton tabs (some free, and some books not) with celtic music.
(more solo picking than songs)
http://kenmiddleton.co.uk/default.aspx
Val.

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

ichadwick, I'm particularly looking for traditional songs.

Hey Athos, I'm with you on this one. I would love to get a songbook with British/Irish/Scottish "trad" songs. Anything by Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Bert Jansch, - anything like that. On the Celtic side, Capercaillie, the Tannahill Weavers, Battlefield Band, etc.

I have worked on some uke arrangements for some Pentangle trad material. I performed "Lord Franklin" for a talent show and I used to play "Omie Wise".

By the way "Omie Wise", if you know it is just a 2 chord song. Very simple folk song but wrenching lyrics. It is a "trad" style song, but it is American in origin - not British.

Oh, listen to my story, I'll tell you no lies,
How John Lewis did murder poor little Omie Wise.
He told her to meet him at Adams's Springs.
He promised her money and other fine things.

So, fool-like she met him at Adams's Springs.
No money he brought her nor other fine things.

"Go with me, little Omie, and away we will go.
We'll go and get married and no one will know."

She climbed up behind him and away they did go,
But off to the river where deep waters flow.

"John Lewis, John Lewis, will you tell me your mind?
Do you intend to marry me or leave me behind?"

"Little Omie, little Omie, I'll tell you my mind.
My mind is to drown you and leave you behind."

"Have mercy on my baby and spare me my life,
I'll go home as a beggar and never be your wife."

He kissed her and hugged her and turned her around,
Then pushed her in deep waters where he knew that she would drown.

He got on his pony and away he did ride,
As the screams of little Omie went down by his side.

T'was on a Thursday morning, the rain was pouring down,
When the people searched for Omie but she could not be found.

Two boys went a-fishin' one fine summer day,
And saw little Omie's body go floating away.

They threw their net around her and drew her to the bank.
Her clothes all wet and muddy, they laid her on a plank.

Then sent for John Lewis to come to that place --
And brought her out before him so that he might see her face.

He made no confession but they carried him to jail,
No friends or relations would go on his bail.

Traditional music from many continents:

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk

I have quite a few traditional folk songs. I'll post a few when I get time. The origins are not always clear cut, but Irish, Scottish, English, American and Australian are all in my collection.

To begin with, here are a few links to some of my favourite trad and folk song resources. I hope you'll find something amongst these.

To be honest, the song traditions of Ireland and Scotland seem to be more actively preserved these days than those of England. When I go on vacation to Ireland, as I do every year, I find it much easier to find interest and enthusiasm for traditional music - even in non-tourist areas - than in England, where I live. So, the majority of the songs you'll find are likely to be Irish ones, or British ones that have been adopted and adapted by the Irish.

Check out Planxty, Christy Moore, and The Dubliners on Youtube if you haven't already.

Anyway, here's a link that may or may not be useful. I'll also post some song lyrics/chords as I get the chance.

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/ - A big index of sites
http://www.geocities.com/bettyloucountry/dubliners.htm - Lyrics and chords for songs recorded by The Dubliners (many traditional songs)
http://unitedireland.tripod.com/irish_lyrics_chords_a_e.html - lyrics and chords to loads of songs

If you find a song is in the wrong key for you or your uke, transpose it here:
http://www.logue.net/xp/

Hope some of that is useful for you. :shaka:

buddhu said:

I have quite a few traditional folk songs. I'll post a few when I get time. The origins are not always clear cut, but Irish, Scottish, English, American and Australian are all in my collection.

To begin with, here are a few links to some of my favourite trad and folk song resources. I hope you'll find something amongst these.

To be honest, the song traditions of Ireland and Scotland seem to be more actively preserved these days than those of England. When I go on vacation to Ireland, as I do every year, I find it much easier to find interest and enthusiasm for traditional music - even in non-tourist areas - than in England, where I live. So, the majority of the songs you'll find are likely to be Irish ones, or British ones that have been adopted and adapted by the Irish.

Check out Planxty, Christy Moore, and The Dubliners on Youtube if you haven't already.

Anyway, here's a link that may or may not be useful. I'll also post some song lyrics/chords as I get the chance.

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/ - A big index of sites
http://www.geocities.com/bettyloucountry/dubliners.htm - Lyrics and chords for songs recorded by The Dubliners (many traditional songs)
http://unitedireland.tripod.com/irish_lyrics_chords_a_e.html - lyrics and chords to loads of songs

If you find a song is in the wrong key for you or your uke, transpose it here:
http://www.logue.net/xp/

Hope some of that is useful for you. :shaka:

Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll take at look at those links.

Keep strummin'

Athos

Actually, the front page of that traditionalmusic.co.uk site is a bit overwhelming. For songs, the best page to start on is probably http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/traditional-music/.

Thanks for the resources, Buddhu!