SimplyMandolin

tabs & music for the mandolin player

jig

The New York Volunteer

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drawing of soldiers camp for the new york volunteers

Old civil war drawing

“The New York Volunteer” is an old civil war song. It was suggested for the site by a mandolin player named Callum, from South East Hampshire, UK. I believe he had heard it on an old Bobby Horton album.

I was totally unfamiliar with the melody, and can’t recall ever hearing of it before. But, I found a few different recordings and thought I might give it a go.

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The Tune

The melody actually comes from another old tune, ‘The Lincolnshire Poacher’. It’s an old English folk song that was (and still is) used in several different locales as a marching song. With a change of lyrics, the melody was used by some of the New York Regiments during the American Civil War and renamed ‘The New York Volunteer’.

This tune has been recorded by many different artists over the years. The following setting is in the key of G Major, with a 6/8 time signature (count 6 beats per measure). As a result, with emphasis on the 1st and 4th beat, you can get the feel for that marching rhythm.

I’ve tabbed out 3 slightly different versions. The first two are very similar to each other, with some slight variations in the second. Just for fun, the third version is played an octave higher and moves up the neck for a few bars.

I apologize in advance for the sound file. I’m recording it on my phone and the furnace keeps cutting in.

New York Volunteer
Slower

To save space, I’ve only included an image of the first version below. But, you’ll find all three versions in the download.

Mandolin tab & music for the bluegrass tune “Cripple Creek”.

Downloads:

Tab & MusicDownload
Just the TabDownload
Just the MusicDownload
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If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

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Maid in the Meadow

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Picture of a young maid in the meadow.
Young girl in a meadow.

Session Jig

“Maid in the Meadow” is an Irish double jig in 6/8 time.

There is also a reel by the same name. It doesn’t seem to be anywhere near as popular as the jig, but you can find the odd version on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

The jig, however, is quite popular. It is not hard to find examples for this melody. But, as is common with a lot of Irish tunes, I couldn’t find much info on the origin. If you can help out, feel free to do so.

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The Tune

“Maid in the Meadow” does not appear in the Fiddler’s Fake Book. Of course, I did find “The Maid Behind the Bar”, and “The Maid on the Green” – not the same thing.

Most recordings for this jig remain close to the traditional, with only minor variations. I learned the tune from the album – “Le Ceoltóiri Cultúrlainne – Foinn Seisiún 2”. The following tab is pretty much a straight transcription from that album.

“Maid in the Meadow” is a double jig in the key of G, and is played A-A-B-B.

Listen to “Maid in the Meadow” for mandolin:

Maid in the Meadow

The Maid in the Meadow

image of music and tab for "the maid in the meadow".
Mandolin tab for the Irish jig “The Maid in the Meadow”.

Downloads:

Tab & MusicDownload
Just the TabDownload
Just the MusicDownload
Make a donation to SimplyMandolin at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6T4RDDANKE8PN

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

Oops!

Ok, so last Saturday I published a bluegrass tune to the website called “Grey Eagle“. The problem is, last Saturday was March 17th (Lá Fheile Pádraig).

How could I put up a bluegrass tune on St. Patty’s day?!! I do apologize to my Irish brothers and sisters.

Thanks for taking a look at “Maid in the Meadow“. I hope you enjoy the tune. Please feel free to leave comments below.

Celtic image

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The Kesh Jig

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Image of Irish countryside - the kesh jig

The Kesh Jig is a traditional tune that comes to us out of Ireland.

Years ago, “The Kesh” became very popular. It was often included in many sets, and heard at just about every session or festival for a good number of years.

It’s popularity was often attributed to The Bothy Band and their success. The Kesh was on their first album, released in 1975. According to Wikipedia, The Bothy Band “had quickly gained a reputation as one of the most influential bands playing Irish traditional music“.

That’s where I first learned the tune, just like many other people.

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The Tune

It was one of the first Celtic melodies I learned on the banjo (along with ‘the Irish Washerwoman’). The arrangement below is probably pretty close to what you’d hear from the Uilleann pipes, or the fiddle on an early Bothy Band recording.

The following version of The Kesh Jig is in the Key of G. It’s often played very fast. However, the audio file below is at a fairly slow tempo so once you’ve got it down, try to play along.

Listen to ‘The Kesh‘ for mandolin:

The Kesh Jig

The Kesh Jig

image of Music and Tab for the Traditional Irish tune "The Kesh Jig"
Music and Tab for the Traditional Irish tune “The Kesh Jig”

Downloads:

Tab & MusicDownload
Just the TabDownload
Just the MusicDownload
Make a donation to SimplyMandolin at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6T4RDDANKE8PN

If you feel you can help support this site with the donation of a dollar or two, It would be very much appreciated…

If you don’t wish to donate at this time, I totally understand – Enjoy!

Too Much if a Good Thing

Often, when a song becomes very popular, its played a lot. Maybe too much in some cases. But, they’re good tunes, with plenty of musical appeal, so we want to hear them over and over again.

And we do, so much that we tire of them. Then, the tune may go through a lull – a period where you don’t hear it as often. But, the good ones have staying power, and they’ll be back!

As a result, The Kesh, along with tunes like Morrison’s Jig and The Irish Washerwoman, have become very recognizable, even by those unfamiliar with traditional Irish music.

Ask anyone to hum an Irish jig, and you’ll probably get a version of one of those tunes. Although, its also possible that you may get the melody from a Lucky Charms commercial.

Good luck! Hope you enjoy.

Cy…

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The Cliffs of Moher

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Download the tablature and learn to play the Irish tune “The Cliffs of Moher” on the mandolin.

The Cliffs of Moher are in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland, and stretch for 5 or 6 miles along the Atlantic Coast. They look absolutely incredible, kind of like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle just sitting on the ocean.

I’ve listened to the tune many times on the Foinn Seisiun CD (volume 1). The other day it was playing in the car, and I decided to tab it out when I got home. I think it works out pretty well on the mandolin. Now I’m looking for a couple of other tunes so I can fit it into a set.

Actually, this tune could probably make a pretty good solo mandolin project.

Listen to “The Cliffs of Moher” for mandolin:

The Cliffs of Moher

Tablature for the Cliffs of Moher
Mandolin tablature for the Irish tune “The Cliffs of Moher.

Download:
Tablature and Music
Just the Notation
Just the Tab

This mandolin tablature for “The Cliffs of Moher” is in A dorian. So, the scale itself starts on A and has only one sharp (F#). The melody has that minor quality, or minor sound, associated with the Dorian Mode.

picture of a celtic knot in the shape of a dragon

Rose in the Heather

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Rose in the Heather is a beautiful Celtic jig played in the key of D. It’s a really nice sounding tune on the mandolin. Be sure you learn the chords to the tune as well, for backup. The half-bar chords in the B part should give you some great chord changing practice.

For some reason, I kept making changes to this tab everytime I looked at it. I finally had to quit fussing with it and just post it. I think it turned out OK though. Enjoy!

Listen to Rose in the Heather for mandolin:

Mandolin tablature for the Celtic tune Rose in the Heather
Mandolin tablature for the Celtic tune “Rose in the Heather”.

Download:
Tablature and Notation
Just the Notation
Just the Tab
Celtic design