The Best Sheet Music for Folk Songs
Contents
Looking for the best sheet music for folk songs? Check out our top picks, including music for popular songs like “The House of the Rising Sun” and “Amazing Grace.”
Introduction
Not everyone can read sheet music, but if you know how to read it then playing folk songs on the piano is a breeze. Here are five great pieces of sheet music for folk songs that every piano player should have in their repertoire.
“The House of the Rising Sun” is a classic folk song that has been covered by countless artists over the years. The original versions of the song date back to the early 20th century, but it was The Animals’ 1964 cover that made it a worldwide hit. The Best Sheet Music for Folk Songs version of “The House of the Rising Sun” is based on The Animals’ arrangement and includes the original lyrics. If you’re looking for a challenge, try learning how to play the guitar solo from The Animals’ version.
“Rocky Raccoon” is a Beatles song that was originally released on their 1968 album “The Beatles” (also known as “The White Album”). “Rocky Raccoon” is a fun and easy song to play on the piano, and it’s perfect for sing-alongs. The Best Sheet Music for Folk Songs version of “Rocky Raccoon” includes the lyrics and chords, so you can play and sing along with your friends.
“Yesterday” is another classic Beatles song that has been covered by countless artists over the years. The Best Sheet Music for Folk Songs version of “Yesterday” is based on The Beatles’ original arrangement and includes the lyrics. If you’re looking for a challenge, try learning how to play one of Paul McCartney’s guitar solos from The Beatles’ 1965 live performance of “Yesterday.”
“Puff, the Magic Dragon” is a Peter, Paul & Mary song that was originally released in 1963. “Puff, the Magic Dragon” is a great song for sing-alongs and beginners will love playing it on the piano. The Best Sheet Music for Folk Songs version of “Puff, the Magic Dragon” includes both vocal and piano parts, so you can play and sing along with your friends.
If you’re looking for more challenging sheet music, try learning how to play Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.” The Best Sheet Music for Folk Songs version of “Like a Rolling Stone” includes both vocal and guitar parts, so you can play and sing along with your friends.
The Best Sheet Music for Folk Songs
“The House of the Rising Sun”
“The House of the Rising Sun” is a folk song from the United States. The song tells the story of a young man who is lured into a life of crime and eventually goes to prison. The song has been covered by many artists, including Bob Dylan and The Animals.
“Scarborough Fair”
“Scarborough Fair” is a traditional English ballad (the music to which is actually Scottish!) told from the perspective of a young man who is sending his former lover a series of tasks to complete before he will take her back. The tasks are meant to be impossible, and the ballad ends with the young man regretting his actions.
The sheet music for “Scarborough Fair” is widely available, and there are many different versions to choose from. If you’re looking for a traditional arrangement, try the version by Simon & Garfunkel, which was recorded in 1966. For something a little different, try the arrangement by Pentatonix, which was recorded in 2016. There are also many versions available for solo piano, if you’re looking for something more delicate. Whichever version you choose, “Scarborough Fair” is sure to be a beautiful addition to your folk song repertoire!
“Wild Mountain Thyme”
“Wild Mountain Thyme” is a traditional folk song that has been popularized by a number of artists over the years. The most well-known version is probably by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan, who released it as a single in 1966. It has since been covered by many other artists, including Emmylou Harris, Eva Cassidy, and The Pogues.
The sheet music for “Wild Mountain Thyme” is widely available, and there are a number of different versions to choose from. If you’re looking for the most authentic folk sound, you might want to try a traditional Scottish or Irish version. If you’re looking for something a little more modern, there are also versions by contemporary artists like Mary Black and Cherish the Ladies. Whichever version you choose, you’re sure to have a great time playing this classic folk song.
“The Water Is Wide”
“The Water Is Wide” is a traditional Scottish folk song that has been popularized in the United States by artists like Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, and Alison Krauss. The song is about two lovers who are forced to part ways because of the water that divides them. The sheet music for “The Water Is Wide” is readily available online, and it is a relatively easy song to play.
“The Streets of Laredo”
“The Streets of Laredo” is a folk song from 1847 that tells the story of a dying cowboy. The song is also known as “Laredo” or “Streets of Laredo”. It has been recorded by many artists, including Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan.
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”
The Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in a lake storm on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29. The ship’s wreck was discovered in 1995 and has become one of the most popular shipwrecks for divers. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot in 1976, two years after the sinking.
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is one of Lightfoot’s most popular songs; it received significant radio play and was a staple of his live concerts. The song helped to propel Lightfoot’s 1976 album Summertime Dream to commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart and going platinum in Canada. In his native Canada, the song is considered one of his signature songs and is often used in reference to him.
“The Battle Hymn of the Republic”
This song was written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861 and quickly became a favorite of Union soldiers during the Civil War. The lyrics are based on the biblical Book of Revelation, specifically the visions of heaven and hell described in Revelation 14. The stirring melody is adapted from the popular song “John Brown’s Body.”
Conclusion
So there you have it: our top five choices for the best sheet music for folk songs. We hope this has been helpful in finding the right music for your playing style and skill level. Happy picking!
