TAKE ME TO THE COUNTRY

Time signature:  4/4
Tempo:  moderate

Harry Martin

Accordion Notation

Beats per bar = 4
Beat symbol = Dot ( . ) or equivalent

Either row (high) = Buttons 5 - 8
Inside row (low) =  Buttons 2 - 5  plus o3*

     
.:r     .4   |    .4       "4      ;4      .4      |     .4*       ;3*       ;3~ | ~"     "3      "3      "3*    ;3      "o3*   |   ::2   |
     Some-where   be - yond  those      dis   -  tant   hills   ​          is   where      I    long     to         be,
  
 .r    "4      .4    .4     "4   |     "4*   .4      .4       ;3     |   .3      "3*    "3*    .3*   .4    |    ::3*     |
       The  riv - ers   and      the  lone - ly    lakes      are   call - ing   out    to        me,

 .r   "4   "4       .4        .5    |      ;4*        .4     ;3*     |      "o3*     "3*        .3       .3      |    .o3*    .:2    |
     Say-ing,  come  back     home,    old  man,         back   home  where  you          be  - long,

"r      "4      .4    "4   .4  "4   |    "4*   ;4   :3~ | ~.      "3*         "3*      .3      .2*    |    ::3~ | ~;:
    'Cause time for you  is       run-ing  out,          you've  been  gone  too        long.

Chorus:​   
          
 "3   |    .4      .5   ;5   "4   |    .4*   :4           .3    |   "3     .3*     "3       ;3     "o3*   |    .:2  
So      take  me  to   the     coun-try       just       the  way    it      used    to          be,

   .3    |   .4         :5      .4   |   .4*  .;4           "4   |   ;3*     "3*   .4      "4   |    ::3*    |
Once   more   ride   her     riv - ers,        and   sleep   be-neath  the     trees,   

.r     "4      "5      .5       .4   |     .4*    .4   :3*~ | ~"      "3       "3      "3*    .3      .o3*   |   ;:2  
      Stand and watch that    morn-ing sun          spread  out      a - cross  the       land

  "4   |    .4   .4   ;3*  "4   |   .4*    .4     :3~ | ~.     "3*    "3*   "3*     "3     .2*    |    .;3
And       if     I   on - ly      live  one  day,            I'll    die     a     hap - py        man.
 
Sing chorus at end, adding the following line:
 "4   |    .4   .4   ;3*  "4   |   .4*    .4     :3~ | ~.    "3*   "3*   "3*   "3    .2*   |    ::3
Yes       if     I   on - ly      live  one  day,          I'll    die    a    hap - py       man.



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Embedded youTube VIDEO

This is a fine tune and song beautifully performed by Harry Martin.   I am surprised that it hasn't been covered on youTube by more performers.  Thus I have included only one embedded video, featuring Harry himself.

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Key:  D (verses 1& 2
              and both choruses)
         E (last verse & chorus)

Singer:  Harry Martin

​Posted by:  gdgest

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Background Materials, Information & Links

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​Lyrics: 

Somewhere beyond those distant hills is where I long to be,
The rivers and the lonely lakes are calling out to me,
Saying, come back home, old man, back home where you belong,
'Cause time for you is running out, you've been gone too long.

Chorus:   

So take me to the country just the way it used to be,
To once more ride her rivers and sleep beneath the trees,
Stand and watch that morning sun spread out across the land,
And if I only live one day, I'll die a happy man.

When I was such a younger man  I led a trapper's life,
The country was my living, the country was my life;
Country was my comfort, my companion and my home,
All the years I've travelled there I've never felt alone.

Know my days are numbered, but I have few regrets,
It's too late to be dreamin', but it's not too late to wish;
If I could only have my way, do what's on my mind, 
I'd trade away tomorrow for a ticket back in time.
​
Sing chorus at end, adding the following line:
                "Yes, if I only live one day,  I'll die a happy man."
​

Background Links:

​Click HERE for a brief biographical note on Harry Martin of Labrador.

Harry's CD's may be purchased throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and online from THE NEWFOUNDLAND SHOP.

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