This month looks at "Pretty Saro" which was originally popular in England in the 1700s. The dulcimer tab is in the key of D.

LINKS

• My Arrangement for Appalachian Dulcimer Pretty Saro in D.pdf
• Jackie Armstong's Arrangement Pretty Saro - Armstrong.pdf
• Vocal Versions

  • Jean Ritchie - https://youtu.be/OLC7Nd0ycgo?si=AwRkQ-S-qy7vq1F5

  • Rhiannon Giddens - https://youtu.be/gjLCDzQW8ck?si=2ggD4XbSMIPaWPk6

  • John McEvoy – Bunclody https://youtu.be/jHJogFN-eUk?si=atSjBNcJlgWgLTdp

  • John McEvoy – Bunclody https://youtu.be/jHJogFN-eUk?si=atSjBNcJlgWgLTdp

  • Doug and Jack Wallin - https://youtu.be/uLPR9GkgyAM?si=IcvZTuopg8-UfyMP

  • Iris DeMent - https://youtu.be/A6ArylRGWME?si=X4mxEcEamhAZ80OH

  • Cas Wallin - https://youtu.be/O2kkFiJ70sw?si=6FmLebxnKjo0ukzU

  • Robbie O'Connell - https://youtu.be/skyRtoQhU7w?si=krT32h1mU5C4jpj0

  • Doc Watson - https://youtu.be/oNV4WLBeOW8?si=qtOjAy-WnvCw5mIY

• Field Recordings of Mr. Fred High

  • Missori State University, Max Hunter Collection – variation (1959) – Courtin' Miss Saro - https://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=315

  • University of Arkansas Digital Collection – variation - (1951)When First to this Country - https://digitalcollections.uark.edu/digital/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/3959/rec/1

• Dulcimer Tab Available Online

  • Squarespace - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54e55a64e4b03b4d9c72032b/t/613171f4ed8c0757b3654d06/1630630388828/Pretty+Saro+-+Mystery+Version.pdf

  • Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer - https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/general-mountain-dulcimer-or-music-discussions/5432/pretty-saro

This month the song is "The Water Is Wide". The background and thoughts about where it originated, dulcimer tab, and other links are provided.

LINKS

• My Arrangement - The Water Is Wide in C
• Other Sources
  • Just Another Tune Songs & Their History - Just Another Tune
  • Jim Moran Blog - Jim Moran Blog
• Vocal Versions
  • Karla Bonoff
  • James Taylor
  • Joan Baez
  • Recording from the 1930s - Patrick Shuldham-Shaw
• Dulcimer Tab Available Online
  • Steve Smith
  • Joe Collins
  • Susan Howell
  • Dusty Thorburn

This podcast gives a brief history of the song, performance of it with voice and Appalachian dulcimer, and links to a variety of resources.

*Note: While I have arranged in DAD for the key of G, you can use a version by Zuckerman or Smith and place the capo on the 3rd fret to be in the key of G.

LINKS

• My arrangement for Appalachian Dulcimer: Barbara Allen in G DAD using Grand Staff.pdf
• Blog with additional information: https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2017/02/song-of-the-week-barbara-allen/
• Vocal versions:
  • Farya Faraji
  • Legendary Folk Songs
  • Nina Ricci
  • University of Arkansas Digital Collections (recorded in 1960)
  • Library of Congress (recorded 1938)
• Dulcimer Tab Available Online:
  • Ron Zuckerman (DAD)
  • Steve Smith (DAD)