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Folksong snapshots

7 folk songs  (6 traditional and 1 original)

arranged/composed by David W Solomons

Duets for clarinet and guitar and for flute and guitar

Guitar parts edited and fingered by Alessandro Balsimini

Scores (pdf format) available from MusicaNeo:

Clarinet and guitar (scores)

Flute and Guitar (scores)

Notes on the Folk Songs (the links are for mp3 electronic previews)

1 Gilderoy (clarinet version)

1 Gilderoy (flute version)

Gilderoy was a "devil- may care" brave Scottish rascal, maybe even highwayman, who would lead many a young lady astray with his charm and fortitude, but eventually ran foul of the law....

2 Bobby Shaftoe (clarinet version)

2 Bobby Shaftoe (flute version)

Variations on the old song of the sailor who promises to marry his girl when he finally gets home - the singer believes him; well, she is clearly besotted.

3 David of the White Rock (clarinet version)

3 David of the White Rock (flute version)

OWEN, DAVID (‘Dafydd y Garreg Wen'; 1711/12-1741), blind harpist;    He attained fame both as harpist and as the reputed composer of the airs called ‘Dafydd y Garreg Wen’ (‘David of the White Rock’), ‘Codiad yr Ehedydd’ (‘The rising of the lark’), and ‘Difyrrwch gwŷr Criccieth’ (‘The delight of the men of Criccieth’).

The White Rock was the name of a farm near Morfa Bychan, near where he lived.

Tradition has it that as Owen lay on his death bed at age 29, he called for his harp and composed this air.

4 Hunting the hare (clarinet version)

4 Hunting the hare (flute version)

Traditional folksong  - I think the hare escapes - he does in my video anyway!

5 I have a bonnet (clarinet version)

5 I have a bonnet (flute version)

Irish folksong (also known as "I'll tell me ma when I get home") - I certainly told mine!

6 The Scottish banana (clarinet version)

6 The Scottish banana (flute version)

This is an original tune dressed up to appear as a traditional Scottish folksong.

To date no words have been associated with it, but (clean!) suggestions are welcome

7 Hoe down in the Ash Grove (clarinet version)

7 Hoe down in the Ash Grove (flute version)

Based on the old folksong "The Ash Grove", this version is an upbeat hoe-down version.

Video Playlists

Arrangements for Clarinet and Guitar

Arrangements for Flute and Guitar