The Lonesome Boatman Sheet Music
Finbar Furey. Written by Finbar when he was nineteen years old,and what a great tune it is, I included the letter notes also. Finbar plays this in a low D whistle. The mandolin tab is included along with the finger position tin whistle sheet music. Recorded by The Furey Brothers And Davie Arthur, Charlie And The Bhoys, The Irish Brigade, Roisin Dubh and The Molly Maguires. The Irish / American group The Dropkick Murphys also made a great recording of the tune.
The Irish have been a song-loving people for a very long time. The solo song is the most widely spread and appreciated expression of this music.
The guitar, fiddle and bagpipes are the most used accompanying instruments. Often there are singing girls (one imagines them typically with red hair and a pale complexion; creatures who almost look themselves quite lyrical) who accompany their songs on a harp.
The pipes originally came from Asia before they spread through all of Europe. Two different kinds of pipes are used. The best known ones are the Scottish bagpipes or warpipes with a limited sound range (nine notes) and the Uilleann pipes (Irish) with two octaves. It is peculiar to the latter that the bag is not blown wıth the mouth but with bellows clipped onto the elbows of the player. Additionally the drones have valves with which different chords can be played. Because of their construction the Irish pipes are regarded as some of the most difficult of all instruments to learn.
Additional instruments represented in Irish music are the “flute” (a wooden trans- verse flute) and the “bodhran” which is a wooden drum covered with goatskin an held ın one hand while played with sticks with the other hand. Other instruments typical for Irish music are the “bones” and the “spoons”. The bones consist of two pieces of bone from the ribs of a cow and the “spoons” are ordinary wooden spoons, both are played with one hand.
Through time other instruments like the “banjo” and the “bouzouki” found their entrance into Irish music. Originally the banjo was handed down by slaves from Africa to America. From there it made its way to Ireland. At first this instrument was frowned upon by traditionalists but is today a firm part of Irish music. The bouzouki was imported by the Irish group “Planxty” in the 70’s. The Irish bouzouki has a flat body and a different tuning from to the Greek bouzouki.
The Lonesome Boatman Bouzouki Tab can be got here .
The Irish have been a song-loving people for a very long time. The solo song is the most widely spread and appreciated expression of this music.
The guitar, fiddle and bagpipes are the most used accompanying instruments. Often there are singing girls (one imagines them typically with red hair and a pale complexion; creatures who almost look themselves quite lyrical) who accompany their songs on a harp.
The pipes originally came from Asia before they spread through all of Europe. Two different kinds of pipes are used. The best known ones are the Scottish bagpipes or warpipes with a limited sound range (nine notes) and the Uilleann pipes (Irish) with two octaves. It is peculiar to the latter that the bag is not blown wıth the mouth but with bellows clipped onto the elbows of the player. Additionally the drones have valves with which different chords can be played. Because of their construction the Irish pipes are regarded as some of the most difficult of all instruments to learn.
Additional instruments represented in Irish music are the “flute” (a wooden trans- verse flute) and the “bodhran” which is a wooden drum covered with goatskin an held ın one hand while played with sticks with the other hand. Other instruments typical for Irish music are the “bones” and the “spoons”. The bones consist of two pieces of bone from the ribs of a cow and the “spoons” are ordinary wooden spoons, both are played with one hand.
Through time other instruments like the “banjo” and the “bouzouki” found their entrance into Irish music. Originally the banjo was handed down by slaves from Africa to America. From there it made its way to Ireland. At first this instrument was frowned upon by traditionalists but is today a firm part of Irish music. The bouzouki was imported by the Irish group “Planxty” in the 70’s. The Irish bouzouki has a flat body and a different tuning from to the Greek bouzouki.
The Lonesome Boatman Bouzouki Tab can be got here .
"The Lonesome Boatman" is a hauntingly beautiful and evocative Irish tune, originally composed by Finbar Furey of the famous Furey Brothers folk group. First released in the 1960s, the tune has since become one of the most iconic pieces of instrumental Irish music, celebrated for its emotional depth and simplicity.
Musical Characteristics
Cultural Impact
Themes and Symbolism
Legacy"The Lonesome Boatman" stands as a testament to the enduring power of traditional Irish music to convey universal emotions. Its haunting beauty has made it a timeless favorite that continues to resonate with audiences around the world. The tune is very popular a a ringtone on mobile phones.
Musical Characteristics
- Melody:
- The tune is primarily performed on the tin whistle, a traditional Irish instrument. Its mournful and slow-paced melody is characterized by long, sustained notes that evoke a deep sense of loneliness and yearning.
- Arrangement:
- The original recording by Finbar Furey features only a single instrument, emphasizing the raw emotion of the melody.
- Modern performances may incorporate instruments like the fiddle, guitar, or pipes to add depth and variation.
- Mood and Feel:
- As its title suggests, "The Lonesome Boatman" captures a feeling of isolation and melancholy, often interpreted as representing a lone traveler or seafarer facing the vast sea.
- Despite its somber tone, the tune is also deeply reflective and poetic, making it an enduring favorite for both traditional and contemporary musicians.
Cultural Impact
- The Fureys' Legacy: The Furey Brothers were instrumental in popularizing Irish folk music during the 20th century, and "The Lonesome Boatman" is considered one of their signature pieces.
- Celtic Music Sessions: The tune is frequently performed at Irish music sessions and concerts, beloved for its emotional resonance and traditional feel.
- Modern Interpretations: In recent years, "The Lonesome Boatman" has been covered by various artists, including Dropkick Murphys, who gave it a new life with a more rock-oriented arrangement on their 2017 album 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory.
Themes and Symbolism
- Loneliness and Longing: The imagery of a solitary boatman conveys themes of separation, loss, or self-reflection. Some interpret it as symbolic of Irish emigration or the historical struggles faced by the Irish people.
- Nature’s Power: The tune’s ebbing and flowing melody can also be seen as representing the unpredictable and vast nature of the sea.
Legacy"The Lonesome Boatman" stands as a testament to the enduring power of traditional Irish music to convey universal emotions. Its haunting beauty has made it a timeless favorite that continues to resonate with audiences around the world. The tune is very popular a a ringtone on mobile phones.
The above video is of Damien O'Sullivan on whistle / mandolin with Tony Reilly on guitar and accordion.
The below youtube video is by Jean-Baptiste Meynard and these are the notes he's playing.
F E F F G F E F B B A B C D D D C B A F F F
F E F F G F E F B B A B C D D E D C B C F A B B
F F G E F F F G G E F F F F F E D C D E D C B C C B B A F F
F E F F G F E F B B A B C D D E D C B C F A B B
F E F F G F E F B B A B C D D F E D C F A B B
Below is another version of 'The Lonesome Boatman'
The below youtube video is by Jean-Baptiste Meynard and these are the notes he's playing.
F E F F G F E F B B A B C D D D C B A F F F
F E F F G F E F B B A B C D D E D C B C F A B B
F F G E F F F G G E F F F F F E D C D E D C B C C B B A F F
F E F F G F E F B B A B C D D E D C B C F A B B
F E F F G F E F B B A B C D D F E D C F A B B
Below is another version of 'The Lonesome Boatman'
Below is the list of sheet music and tin whistle songs that are in my ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle songs ever put together.[over 900 songs ] Including folk, pop and trad tunes plus German And French songs along with Christmas Carols. Free ebooks of - modern pop songs, Elvis Presley Tabs, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Ed Sheeran and Johnny Cash songs
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
Silent Annie Lyrics For The Lonesome Boatman
I saw which nearly broke my heart
A tramp lay dying
In the park
I knelt beside him to hear him speak
And the words that
He spoke were very
Weak
2
He told me a story of
Long since past
Of a gallant ship with it’s long grey mast
Of his captain’s cap
With it’s shining braid
And the wonderfull voyages that he made
3
Oh silent annie was that great ships name
Like a token of love
He spoke her name
She sailed round the horn
Ay’e more than once
She could cut through
The waves
Like a sharpen’d lance
4
Oh believe me he said
As his eyes filled with tears
Like a drunk on the corner
Remembering his years
He reached out his hand
And he took it in mine
I believe you i said
And he gave a sad smile
5
Then came the day when they towed her away
Her sid’es they were sore
From the sea’s angered spray
He said she’s unfit to
Sail out once more
They tugged her more windward
All around sandyshore
6
As they broke silent annie
I watched with a sigh
I remembered her beauty
When i was a boy
She was my one love my
Lifes only dream
When we sailed out together
As captain and queen
7
It started to rain i
Felt my hand tight
He squeezed even harder
As he ended the fight
The people they gathered
And watched with dismay
The ambulance men came and took him away
8
I got to my feet and i
Walked through the park
The sun it had gone but
It was not yet dark
My body was wet my
Clothes were not many
My thoughts were around
By the ship silent annie
I saw which nearly broke my heart
A tramp lay dying
In the park
I knelt beside him to hear him speak
And the words that
He spoke were very
Weak
2
He told me a story of
Long since past
Of a gallant ship with it’s long grey mast
Of his captain’s cap
With it’s shining braid
And the wonderfull voyages that he made
3
Oh silent annie was that great ships name
Like a token of love
He spoke her name
She sailed round the horn
Ay’e more than once
She could cut through
The waves
Like a sharpen’d lance
4
Oh believe me he said
As his eyes filled with tears
Like a drunk on the corner
Remembering his years
He reached out his hand
And he took it in mine
I believe you i said
And he gave a sad smile
5
Then came the day when they towed her away
Her sid’es they were sore
From the sea’s angered spray
He said she’s unfit to
Sail out once more
They tugged her more windward
All around sandyshore
6
As they broke silent annie
I watched with a sigh
I remembered her beauty
When i was a boy
She was my one love my
Lifes only dream
When we sailed out together
As captain and queen
7
It started to rain i
Felt my hand tight
He squeezed even harder
As he ended the fight
The people they gathered
And watched with dismay
The ambulance men came and took him away
8
I got to my feet and i
Walked through the park
The sun it had gone but
It was not yet dark
My body was wet my
Clothes were not many
My thoughts were around
By the ship silent annie
lonesome boatman sheet music
The version of the tin whistle notes below has the finger positions. The music file below is for the piece of sheet music below. As I have said many times on the site, to learn any song or tune you should learn it one line at a time. Practise the first line until your sick to the teeth of listening to yourself and then practise the second line. Put the first and second lines together and play them until you have them off by heart. Then play the third line,,and so on. This tune for example isn't as lone as you think it might be, the first two line get played then it repeats itself, see the repeat lines at the end of the second line :||
The lonesome boatman tin whistle tune with letter notes
Below is the mandolin tab for The Lonesome Boatman
