In this songbook, we've compiled English-language romantic songs and ballads from various countries, including England, Ireland, Scotland, the USA, and Australia. There are 50 and 1 songs in the book.
The musical notes have been simplified to an easy-to-play melody, avoiding arrangements and semitones, as the kalimba traditionally does not have keys tuned in semitones. No prior musical experience or ability to read sheet music is necessary to start playing right away.
This sheet music is designed to be adaptable for any kalimba, whether you have a compact 8-note instrument or a larger 17-note version.
Each circle on the sheet corresponds to a specific note number, matching each key on your kalimba. The duration of the notes is shown by the parentheses following the circles. The more parentheses after the circle, the longer the note's duration.
A whole note has three parentheses, while other notes have shorter durations and are indicated by two, one, or no parentheses.
A dot after the note indicates an additional half-parenthesis duration.
A dot above a note indicates a higher octave, as is common on kalimba keys.
It's important to note that the circles do not represent semitones, as kalimbas are typically not tuned in semitones.
Every page includes QR codes that link to the appropriate song. While these examples might not feature our simplified melodies, they help in understanding the melodies and rhythm.
Table of contents:
Annie Laurie
Au Clair de la Lune
Aura Lee
Beautiful Brown Eyes
Bella Ciao
Blood on the Saddle
Bound for South Australia
Brennan on the Moor
Wedding March (Bridal Chorus)
Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie
Butcher Boy
Cliffs of Doneen
Come Back Liza
Cotton Eyed Joe
Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes
Hi’ilawe
House of the Rising Sun
I Gave My Love a Cherry
I Love You
Isn’t It Grand, Boys?
Italian Waltz
James Connoly
Lavender's Blue
Long, Long Ago
Man of Constant Sorrow
Molly Malone
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
My Home’s in Montana
My Singing Bird
My Wild Irish Rose
Old Folks at Home
The Red River Valley
Scarborough Fair
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Skibbereen
Spancil Hill
Sweet Betsy from Pike
The Banks of Claudy
The Boys of Fairhill
The Irish Rover
The Kerry Recruit
The Meeting of the Waters
The Northern Lights of Aberdeen
The Rocks of Bawn
The Snowy-Breasted Pearl
The Spanish Lady
Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree
Vive L’Amour
Wanderin’
Weile Walia
Wildwood Flower
