I'SE THE B'Y
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Time signature: 6/8 (jig)
JIg tempo: ~ 150 bpm. |
Either row (high): Buttons 5 - 8
Either row (low): Buttons 2 - 5 |
Composer: Not sure, but perhaps
Mark Gatehouse /Joseph Deering |
Though it can be done in simple waltz (3/4) time, this tune is usually played as a "jig" in compound (6/8) time, where there are two audible beats (left-hand Bass + Chord) per measure, with one, two, or even three notes being played in each beat interval. In the notation below, a dash (-) has been placed in each measure of the accordion notation to separate the two beats.
If you want to play it as a quick waltz, with a "Base-Chord-Chord" beat, view the dash (-) as though it were a bar line (|).
The embedded youTube videos demonstrate just how fast this tune is. When first learning it, it may be wise to stick with the treble (right-hand) buttons and play it more slowly.
If you want to play it as a quick waltz, with a "Base-Chord-Chord" beat, view the dash (-) as though it were a bar line (|).
The embedded youTube videos demonstrate just how fast this tune is. When first learning it, it may be wise to stick with the treble (right-hand) buttons and play it more slowly.
Accordion Notation
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Beats per bar = 2
Beat symbol = Three Dots ( .:) or equivalent |
Either row (high): Buttons 5 - 8
Either row (low): Buttons 2 - 5 |
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Verse 1 (of 5)
Chorus: |
:7 .7 - :7 .7 | :7* .6* - :5
:4 .4 - :4 .4 | :3* .2* - :2 I's the b'y that builds the boat / .5 | :7 .7 - :7 .7 | .:8* - .:8 | .2 | :4 .4 - :4 .4 | .:4* - .:5 | And I'se the b'y that sails her / :7 .7 - :7 .7 | .7* .7* .6* - :5 :4 .4 - :4 .4 | .3* .3* .2* - :2 I's the b'y that cat-ches the fish / .5 | :5 .6* - :7* .6* | .:6 - .:6 | .2 | :2 .2* - :3* .2* | .:3 - .:3 | And brings them home to Li - zer. / :7 .7 - :7 .7 | .7* .7* .6* - .:5 | :4 .4 - :4 .4 | .3* .3* .2* - .:2 | Hip yer part-ner, Sal - ly Tib - bo / :7 .7 - :7 .7 | :8* .8* - .:8 | :4 .4 - :4 .4 | :4* .4* - .:5 | Hip yer part-ner, Sal - ly Brown / :7 .7 - .7 .7 .7 | :7* .6* - :5 .5 | :4 .4 - .4 .4 .4 | :3* .2* - :2 .2 | Fo - go, Twil- lin- gate, More-ton's Har - bour, / :5 .6* - :7* .6* | .:6 - .:6 | :2 .2* - :3* .2* | .:3 - .:3 | All a - round the cir - cle . / |
Embedded youTube Videos
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Key: G
Jig tempo: ~ 145 bpm Group: Great Big Sea Posted by: steenmachine123 This rendition contains musical interludes that are variations on the tune. |
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Key: G (for singing parts)
& C (for some interludes) Jig tempo: ~ 155 bpm Group: Fogo Island Accordion Group Posed by: Aaron Brown In playing for dances, Groups often switch between rows and between octaves to make the tune more interesting. |
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Key: G
Jig tempo: ~ 150 bpm Singer: Harry Hibbs Posted by: quickaccent2006 Switches back and forth between lower and higher octaves. |
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Key: G (for singing part)
(Variations for some interludes) Jig tempo: ~ 130 bpm Group: Ryan's Fancy Posted by: quickaccent2006 |
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Key: G
Jig tempo: ~ 165 bpm. Group: Shanneyganock Posted by: Don Shorock's Channel A performance in Memphis, Tennessee in 2009, with the great Mark Hiscock on the accordion. |
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Key: G
Jig tempo: ~ 155 bpm Player: Poss Slaney Posted by: Newfieposs Poss also uses a variation in a lower octave to make the tune more interesting. You can see when to switch octaves by watching his fingers. |
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Key: D
JIg tempo: ~ 155 bpm Singer: Dick Nolan Posted by: VenomousNewfie |
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Key: G
Choir: ? Posted by: BY Liu I'se the b'y appears to be a favorite with choral groups everywhere. This is the 1st of the three I've included as examples. |
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Key: G
Choir: 1989 Arkansas All-State Choir Posted by: David Winberry I'se the b'y appears to be a favorite with choral groups everywhere. This is the 2nd of the three I've included as examples. |
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Key: G (with variations on the
tune in the middle) Choir: Clark College Chorale Posted by: Rob Stevens I'se the b'y appears to be a favorite with choral groups everywhere. This is the 3rd of the three I've included as examples. |
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BACKGROUND MATERIALS, INFORMATION & LINKS
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Remaining
Lyrics: (Sing chorus after each verse) |
Verse 2
Verse 3 Verse 4 Verse 5 |
Sods and rinds to cover your flake,
Cake and tea for supper Codfish in the spring o' the year Fried in maggoty butter. I don't want your maggoty fish They're no good for winter I can buy better than that Down in Bonavista. I took Liza to a dance As fast as she could travel And every step that she did take Was up to her knees in gravel. Susan White, she's out of sight Her petticoat wants a border Old Sam Oliver in the dark He kissed her in the corner. |
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Sources:
(Items 2 to 5 at right are sometimes available in local music stores, and 4 & 5 may be purchased online from Vinland Music. Excellent sources for lyrics and piano & guitar music! |
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Background Links:
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In "Notes on the Songs" at end of Catch ahold this One (Vinland Music, 2013), Neil Rosenberg states that "There is reason to suggtest that the song was written in the Notre Dame Bay community of Moreton's Harbour by Joseph Deer and/or Mark Gatehouse..... Coincidentally, both men married women with the first name Eliza."
Click HERE and HERE for additional info about this song. |