Today we bring you free tablature for the popular Civil War tune, “Johnny Comes Marching Home” for Cigar Box Guitars tuned to Open G (GDG). This arrangement can also be adapted to other popular 1-5-1 tunings.
An Irish-American bandleader from the Union Army named Patrick Gilmore first penned the lyrics for this classic during the height the American Civil War. It was written as a musical voice for the general sentiments of longing and heartache of a population who wanted nothing more than to see their relatives and friends return from the war.
At the time he used a pen name, a popular trend among composers of the era to enhance the romanticism of their musical compositions. Indeed, the piece was popular on both sides of the war, and was even popular in England. Like many songs of the era, the melody borrowed heavily from another source. Gilmore was said to have heard a soldier humming a tune during the early days of the war and he tweaked it to suit his purposes. Maintaining popularity well into the 1900’s, the melody is also used as the base for the popular Irish Tune “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”, notably performed by Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers and more recently by The Dropkick Murphys.
Below are two tabs for this classic. The first presents just the melody and the second presents chords that help enhance the song.
This great old spiritual song was first recorded in 1938 by Louis Armstrong and has been sung and recorded countless times since then. It is very easy to play on the canjo! View the full text of this entry by clicking the “Read More” link below for the formatted canjo tab…
Arrangement courtesy of C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, intended for playing on American Canjo Company™ brand one-string canjos with dulcimer-style fretting, with fret numberings as shown below. The open unfretted string is notated as “0″.
When the Saints Go Marching In (Version 1 – Low)
0 2 3 4 0 2 3 4 0 2 3 4 2 0 2 1
Oh when the saints go marching in, oh when the saints go marching in
2 2 1 0 0 2 4 4 4 3 2 3 4 2 1 1 0
Oh lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in!
When the Saints Go Marching In (Version 2 – High)
3 5 6 8 3 5 6 8 3 5 6 8 5 3 5 4
Oh when the saints go marching in, oh when the saints go marching in
5 5 4 3 3 5 8 8 8 6 5 6 8 5 4 4 3
Oh lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in!
To learn more about this classic spiritual song, and to find more verses, check out this Wikipedia article.
Arrangement by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply
Copyright 2014 by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply
Arrangement courtesy of C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, intended for playing on American Canjo Company™ brand one-string canjos with dulcimer-style fretting, with fret numberings as shown below. The open unfretted string is notated as “0″.
Whiskey in the Jar
0 2 4 4 4 5 4 2 4 5 5 5 7 5 2
A-a-s I was going over the Cork and Kerry Mountains,
4 5 5 5 7 8 8 8 5 4 4 8 4 5 4
I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was countin'.
2 4 4 4 5 4 2 2 4 5 5 5 7 5 2
I first produced my pistol and I then produced me rapier,
2 4 5 5 7 8 8 7 5 4 4 8 4 5 4
Sayin' stand and deliver for you are a bold deceiver.
Chorus
2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 2 1 2 3 4
Rasha-ring and um dur and um da, whack for the daddy-o
5 5 4 5 7 8 5 4 2 1 2 0
Whack for the daddy-o there's whiskey in the jar.
Additional Verses
Well I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny,
I put it in my pockets and I took it home to Jenny.
She sighed and she swore that she never would betray me,
But the devil take the women, for they never can be easy.
Chorus
I went unto my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I dreamed of gold and jewels, and for sure it was no wonder.
But Jenny took me charges and she filled them up with water,
And sent for Captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter.
Chorus
It was early in the morning, just before I rose to travel,
up stepped a band of footmen, and likewise Captain Farrell.
I first produced me pistols for she'd stolen away me rapier,
but I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken.
Chorus
They put me into prison without a judge or jury,
For robbin' Captain Farrell in the mornin' so early.
But they couldn't take my fists, so I knocked down the sentry,
And bid a fond farewell t that cold penitentiary.
Chorus
If there's anyone can aid me, it's me brother in the army,
If I can find his station in Cork or in Kilarney.
And if he'll go with me, we'll go rollin' in Kilkenney,
And I'm sure he'll treat me better than me old miss sportin' Jenny.
Chorus
Now there's some take delight in the carriages a' rollin'
And others take delight in the hurlin' and the bowlin'.
But I take delight in the juice of the barley,
And courtin' pretty fair maids in the mornin' so early.
Chorus
To learn more about this traditional Irish song, check out this Wikipedia article.
Arrangement by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply
Copyright 2014 by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply
With the free tablature in this post, you’ll learn how to play one of the most beloved Christmas tunes, and the world’s best selling single, White Christmas, on your 2-string bass. Continue reading “White Christmas 2-String G-Bass Tablature”
The tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody for the classic Christmas song White Christmas, written by Irving Berlin and made famous when sung by Bing Crosby in the film of the same name.
The tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody for the classic Christmas song White Christmas, written by Irving Berlin and made famous when sung by Bing Crosby in the film of the same name.
This tablature is arranged for 4-string cigar box guitars tuned to Open G “GDGB”.
