THE

TIN WHISTLE
TUNE BOOK

Compiled and Arranged by William E. White

 THE

Tin Whistle Tune Book

Thirty-Eight Tunes Appropriate for Tin Whistle,
Fife, Flute, or Violin

Compiled and Arranged

by William E. White

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Williamsburg, Virginia
 l i a m s b u r g Foundation
© 1980 by Th ¢ Co lo ni al W i l
Seventh printing, 1987
_ All rights reserved

ISBN 0-87935-051-2.° “* 49.26872

Printed in the United States of America .

 CONTENTS

Preface Lads of the Village

Sources of the Music Lady Harriot Hope’s Reel
Instructions for Playing the Tin Whistle Lass gin ye loe me tell me now
Fingering Chart Lass of Peaty’s Mill
Tunes (in alphabetical order) Logan Water
Aberdeens Scots Measure My Nanny-O
Andrew Carey Over the Water to Charlie with
An the kirk wad let me be the Variations
Banks of Spey Peacock
Barring of the Door Quick Step the Troopers
Black Marys Hornpipe Rose Tree
Bonniest Lass in a’ the World Shilley O Guire
Bottom of the Punch Bowl Sir John Malcolm
Carlen is your Daughter Ready Soldiers Joy
Clifton Springs Sun from the East
Country Bumkins Throw the Wood Laddie
Empty Purse Trip to the little Theatre
Fishers Hornpipe Well a go to Kelso
Gi’e the Mawking mair o’t When bidden to the wake or fair
High Road to Linton White Cockade
Jack on the Green Will you go to Sheriff Muir
Jolly Gaypedlar York Fancy
te
 PREFACE
eee

THE TIN WHISTLE or penny whistle has experienced Benjamin Carr's two publications, Evening Amusement
a rebirth in recent years that is linked in many ways to and The Gentieman’s Amusement, are typical of the popular
the rising interest in the traditional or folk customs, lore, music available to Americans in the last quarter of the
and music that make up our heritage. This primitive eighteenth century. It should be noted, however, that
instrument is still used extensively in Irish traditional this music is not distinctively American. For the most
music, and others are discovering how versatile an part, music in the eighteenth century was an imported
instrument it truly is. commodity that came to the New World in the form of
It is difficult to determine exactly how or where the tin publications from Europe (mainly the British Isles) or by
whistle originated. Historical references give us little immigrants who brought their music and instruments
help, since through the ages it has apparently been with them. Other sources are typical of the popular
considered too simple and common an instrument to music of the period, much of which can still be heard
deserve much written comment. The whistle belongs to today. Tunes such as “Soldiers Joy” and ‘Fishers
the family of ‘‘fipple flutes,’ which also includes the Hornpipe” have their origins in eighteenth-century
recorder of Renaissance origin. The true beauty of the popular music and are still part of the basic repertoire for
instrument lies in its simplicity. Easily learned by almost the modern folk musician.
anyone with a few minutes to devote to memorizing its No attempt has been made to alter or “improve” upon
fingering patterns, it can be played by a more the melodies; they are presented just as they appear in
experienced performer with such expression as to lift the original sources. This, however, should not inhibit
one’s soul or move one to tears. the performer by giving the impression that the music
The music compiled here is only a sampling of what must be played exactly as written. The performance of
may be played. It has been drawn from several printed the music is greatly enhanced by some improvisation.
and manuscript sources of the eighteenth century. The The addition of grace notes, slurs, and other ornaments
Henry Beck and Edward Murphy manuscripts as well as is basic to the tin whistle style of playing, and as is
 s ty pe of mu si c, 1 ha ve ch os en to le av e whistle, the melodies contained herein m ay also be
customary with thi
to th e di sc re ti on of th e pe rf or mer. played on other instruments. Performers on fj
such em be ll is hm en ts fe, flute, or
i ar e lef t to th e pe rf or me r' s in te rp re ta - violin will discover that this music may easi|
Like wi se , te mp y be played
on their instruments without altering key signatures
tion. The common time reels and marches, as well as the
six-eight jigs, may be played as quickly or as slowly as I would like to extend my thanks to John C. Moon : d
the performer's ability and the tune itself will permit. Herbert E. Watson, my colleagues, for their help wah
The airs have been indicated by using the simple and encouragement of my musical endeavors, and to the
designation “‘slowly” beneath the first line and it is not members of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums
necessary to keep a strict tempo. The music becomes who have performed much of this music for our visitors
much more expressive if the tempo within the piece is and have proven that it can be both challenging and
altered from time to time. enjoyable.
Although this book has been compiled for the tin
 SOURCES OF THE MUSIC

Aird Carr, Gentlemans Amusement

A Selection of Scotch, English, Trish, and Foreign Airs The Gentlemans Amusement A Selection Of Solos, Duetts,
Adaptedto the Fife, Violin, or German-F lute. \n six volumes. Overtures, arranged as Duetts, Rondos © Romances...
Glasgow, Printed and Sold by James Aird; and Glasgow, Printed for the Editors and Sold at B. Carr’s Musical
Printed and Sold by F. McFadyen [1782 — 1800]. Aird Repositories Philadelphia and New York and J. Carr’s
died before the completion of the sixth volume, which Baltimore [ca. 1794 - 1796].
was printed by McFadyen along with reprints of the
other volumes. This very popular work saw as many as Fentum
seven editions by various printers. The Compleat Tutor For the German Flute Containing the
Best and Easiest Instructions for Learners to Obtain a
Proficiency. Translated from the French To which is added a
Beck Manuscript
A bound manuscript volume in the Music Division of the Choice Collection of ye most Celebrated Italian, English @
Library of Congress. The flyleaf proclaims it to have Scotch Tunes; Curiously Adapted to that Instrument. Printed
for and Sold by Jonathan Fentum at his Musick Shop in
been “Mary Mathers Book. 1810,” while an interior
Exeter Exchange in the Strand, London [ca. 1765].
page bears the inscription, ““Copyed by Henry Beck in
the Year 1786.”
Murphy Manuscript
A bound manuscript book in the collection of the Library
Carr, Evening Amusement
of Congress bearing the inscription “Newport [ Rhode
Evening Amusement Containing Fifty Air's, Song’s Duett's,
Island? ] Edward Murphy October 26 - 1790.”
Dances, Hornpipe’s, Reel's, Marches, Minuett &c, &, for 1,
and 2 German Flutes or Violins. Printed & sold at B. Carr's
Musical Repositories Philadelphia and New York & J. Orpheus Caledonius
Carr’s Baltimore [ 1796]. Orpheus Caledonius: Or, A Collection of Scots Songs. Set to
Musick By W. Thomson. The Second Edition. Two most favourite Scotch Tunes several of them with Variations,
volumes. London: Printed for the Author, at his House all set for the German Flute, by Mr. Oswald. In six volumes.
in Leicester-Fields. 1733. London Printed for T. Simpson in Sweeting’s Alley
opposite the East Door of the Royal Exchange [ca.
Oswald 1745]. This popular work went through several editions
The Caledonian Pocket Companion Containing Fifty of the and was eventually expanded to include fifteen volumes.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLAYING

THE TIN WHISTLE

THE TIN WHISTLE is an extremely easy instrument whistle in the key of “‘C” produces the note “C” when
to leam. Producing a sound is done simply by blowing all the finger holes are covered. Likewise, a whistle in
lightly through the mouthpiece. By nature the tin the key of “D” produces the note “D’ when all of the
whistle is a soft instrument, and undertones or over- finger holes are covered. The player, however, always
pitching will occur if you blow too hard. thinks of the lowest note on the whistle as “D”
Once you have produced a sound tone, cover the regardless of its actual pitch.
finger holes with the first three fingers of each hand, The tin whistle is extremely limited in the keys in
using the left hand to cover the top three holes and the which it plays, being almost totally restricted to G Major,
tight hand the bottom three. Then look at the fingering D Major, and their relative minors. Accidental notes can
chart on the next page. Lift your fingers as indicated to be produced but usually occur when you cover only half
play each note. a hole, which causes, at best, variations in Pitch. I have
Tin whistles are made in various keys. For example, a tried to avoid these accidentals in the music (with the
exception of an occasional G sharp), but have provided a Eventually, however, you should attempt to play
separate fingering chart for accidental notes. without sounding each individual note. A more flowing
The beginning performer may find that it is much technique can be achieved by slurring passages together,
easier to sound each note of the music individually, or to phrasing groups of notes, and differentiating and
tongue behind the teeth. This is acceptable initially. emphasizing notes by using grace notes and ornaments.

FINGERING CHART FINGERING FOR

Cc F ACCIDENTAL NOTES
E shap G A he # Go
BOC sharp D
ia ft ¢
>
foe D F sharp sharp
5
sharp |
ca
9, eeee#e8ee#eooo08 @ @ ® 6 000 0
9; ee © e¢ 0 @® o oe oe o 0 Ce 08 Oo :
lo eeee
9 eee @ 0 09 e@ 0 ee ee 00
0 @ Oo
10} eo eee
° eee 09 909 0 e@ 0 e@ @ e@ 8 0 @ 0
00 0
lo) ee8 Oo
9, e ° eo 8 @® 0 0 00
0 @e 8 oO
(e) ee0 Oo
o} fe) ° o #0 0 0 000 @
”
lo) e 6 0 0

© indicates an open hole

e @® oo 0

@ indicates a closed hole

© indicates a half-covered hole
THE WHITE COCKADE Carr, Evening Amusement

THE HIGH ROAD TO LINTON Aird, Vol. 4

Gey eels
ee 2 eee

fo ees etm Httoe ee

THE YORK FANCY Aird, Vol. 3

>
ovryr awry £2 ae oe
t+ +4 =
roooeee =
i
i
1
——
oo
oan —
a
7
ee
es
ee ee
2
no

vt ra | mnee re! a es ae

11
THE SUN FROM ‘THE EAST Beck Manu ript

LOGAN WATER Orpheus Caledontus, Vol. 2

14
THE LADS OF THE VILLAGE Aird , Vol. 1

THE ROSE TREE Carr, Evening Amusement

ry
Py]

JACK ON THE GREEN Beck Manuscript

15
 SIR JOHN MALCOLM
ART
iy us
tr
mere mraeaias

MY NANNY O Orpheus Caledontus, Vol. \

Slowly

LADY HARRIOT HOPE *S REEL Aird, Vol, 2

16
ovICk STEP THE TROOPERS Aird, Vol, |

BLACK MARYS HORNPIPE Murphy Manuscript

SHILLEY O GUIRE Beck Manuscript

17
THE BOTTOM OF THE PUNCH BOWL Oswald, Vol. 1

THE BONNIEST LASS IN A’ THE WORLD Oswald, Vol. 2

GE Pe ae Mees BA 2 4s
Laee
ee
A ee
a eee
eee

8
WHEN BIDDEN TO THE WAKE OR FAIR

zeriCia pereies
Carr, Evenin ig Amusement
mn

FISHERS HORNPIPE
Carr, Evening Amusement
 E M E T E L L M E N O W
ASS GIN YE LO

THE COUNTRY BUMKINS Beck Manuserio:

ANDREW CAREY Aird. Vol. 5

20
 L A S S O F P E ATY’S MILL
THE Orpheus Caledonius, Vol. 1

THE ABERDEENS SCOTS MEASURE Oswald. Vol. 5

+r
THE EMPTY PURSE

THE JOLLY GAYPEDLAR Carr, Gentleman’s Amusement

GIrE THE MAW KING MAIR O’T Oswald, Vol. 3

+

22
WELL A GO TO KELSO Aird. Vol. 2
 G O T O S H E R I F F MUIR
WILL YOU

AN THE KIRK WAD LET ME BE Beck Manuscnpt

24
THROW TH E WOOD LADDIE Orpheus Caledonius, Vol. 1

THE BANKS OF SPEY Aird, Vol. 5

25
 T H E W A T E R TO C H A R L I E WITH THE VARIATIONS
OVER

26

ted efi an
praner
27