ON  TOP  OF  OLD  SMOKEY

   Beginner                             BA1 - Unit 4                (Featured) Song-Melody
Traditional  American
ACCORDION  NOTATION

​Using Buttons 3 to 6 

​Using Buttons 6 to 9
​Verse 1 (of 8 or more)


 .3    .3    .4   .5     .:6       .::5*
On  top  of  old  smok -  ey

 .5*   .4*     .5       .5*      :::5~ 
All   cov - ered  with   snow

.3    .3     .4    .5     .:5    .::3*
 I   lost  my  tru    lov -   er

  "3*   "4       .4*      .4     .3*   :::3~ 
From    a    court - ing  too  slow
​
Verse 1 (of 8 or more)


 .6    .6    .7   .8     .:9       .::9*
On  top  of  old  smok -  ey

 .9*   .8*     .8       .9*       :::8~ 
All   cov - ered  with   snow

.6    .6     .7     .8     .:8    .::7*
 I    lost  my  tru    lov -   er

   "7*  "7     .8*     .7     .8*   :::6 ~
From   a  court - ing  too   slow
​​
Pay special attention to the  "3* "4  (or "7* "7) at the beginning of line 4, where each of these button notes is held for only half a beat interval.

​The tilde symbol ( ~ ) at the end of lines 2 and 4 means, for this song, that you hold these notes for an extra couple of beats.

​
​Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Twelve videos in the keys:   A=3     C=3     D=3     G=3
These videos contain many different arrangements of lyrics, and some differences in tempo and rhythm.  Most are sung to the same melody, as given above for the button accordion.
Key:  A

Singer:  Kate Smith

​Posted by:  Kate Smith - Topic

​Instrumental - guitar
Key:  A

Singer:  Rex Allen

​Posted by:  Rex Allen - Topic
Key:  A

Group:   Abba

Posted by:  MrABBACollection

This ABBA performance consists of a number of repeats the first two verses.
Key:   C

Singer:   Wilf Carter

​Posted by:  WilfCarterFan

​
Key:  C

Singer:  Burl Ives

Posted by:  philsmusic1000

Some different verses.
Key:  C

Guitarist:  Duane Eddy

Posted by:  Duane Eddy - Topic

Guitar Instrumental - Nice and slow, great for the beginner to play along with, at least for nearly two minutes.
However, in the final 40 seconds he throws in some unexpected chords (Dm, Fm, Gm7 and A#) which didn't match my accordion playing or the notation above.
Still interesting!
Key:  D

Group:  Mitch Miller &
             The Sing-Along Gang

Posted by:  Mitch Miller & 
​                  The Sing-Along Gang - Topic
​
Key:   D

Singer:  Matthew Sabatella

Posted by:  Matthew Sabatella - Topic

Uses six of the verses given on this page (below);  last two are different.
Key:   D

Group:  Chisholm Trailers

Posted by:  Chisholm Trailers - Topic

Violin and Piano Instrumental.

Covers four verses.
​
Key:   G
​
Singers:   Ernest ?
                 Sarah ?

​Posted by:  ​bidyyy

Bluegrass sound.
Key:   G

Group:   ?

​Posted by:  phuong nguyen

​Instrumental  (Karaoke)
Key:   G

Pianist:  ?

​Posted by:  ​musicalintentions

Piano Instrumental.

This video is intended for the beginner piano student, and is fairly easy to play along with on the button accordion.
Background Materials, Information & Links
​Lyrics:
On top of old smokey
All covered with snow
I lost my true lover
For a courtin' too slow

For courting's a pleasure
And parting is grief
But a false-hearted lover
Is worse than a thief

For a thief will just rob you
And take all you have
But a false-hearted lover
Will lead you to the grave

And the grave will decay you
And turn you to dust
And where is the lover
​A poor one can trust

They'll hug you and kiss you
And tell you more lies
Than the cross-ties on a railroad
Or the stars in the skies

They'll tell you they love you
Just to give your heart ease
But the minute your back's turned
They'll court whom they please

Come all you young lovers
And listen to me
Never place your affections
On a green willow tree

For the leaves they will wither
And the roots they will die
You'll all be forsaken
And never know why

There are many other verses (including parodies)
An extra verse (her & him versions) for those who prefer a happier ending:

So if you have a true love                            So if you have a true love
Who will stand by your side                        Who'll hold onto your hand
He'll love you forever                                    She'll love you forever
And make you his bride                                And make you her man

​
Background Links:
Click HERE for additional info about this song.  (Wikipedia)