I'SE  THE  B'Y

Time signature:  6/8 (jig)
JIg tempo: ~ 150  bpm.
Either row (high):  Buttons 5 - 8
Either row (low):  Buttons 2 - 5
Composer:  Not sure, but perhaps
Mark Gatehouse /Joseph Deering
Though it can be done in simple waltz (3/4) time, this tune is usually played as a "jig" in  compound (6/8) time, where there are two audible beats (left-hand Bass + Chord) per measure, with one, two, or even three notes being played in each beat interval.   In the notation below, a dash (-) has been placed in each measure of the accordion notation to separate the two beats.  

The embedded youTube videos demonstrate just how fast this tune is.  When first learning it, it may be an idea to reduce the youTube playback speed.
Return to BA6 - Unit 3
Accordion Notation
Beats per bar = 2
​Beat symbol = Semi-colon ( ; ) or equivalent
​
Either row (high):  Buttons  5 - 8
Part A 
= Verse 1 of 5









​

​
Part B
=Chorus:
>
|   .7    “7    -    .7    “7    |      .7*     “6*  -   .5           “5    |
   I'se   the      b'y  that      builds  the    boat,  /   And
    
|   .7     “7    -    .7    “7    |      ;8*     -     ;8         |
   I’se   the       b'y   that       sails        her  

|   .7   “7   -    .7     “7     |   “7*   “7*   “6*  -   .5         “5     |
  I'se  the      b’y   that       cat-ches  the     fish,  /  And

|      .5        “6*  -   .7*     “6*    |    ;6   -   ;6       |
   brings  them    home   to          Li  -   zer.  
  


|   .7    “7    -    .7    “7    |     .7*    “7*  -   .6*    “5        |
   Hip your      part-ner        Sal – ly       Tib – bo

|   .7     “7    -    .7    “7    |     .8*   “8*  -     ;8         |
   Hip your      part-ner        Sal – ly      Brown
       
|   .7   “7   -    “7  ”7   “7     |   .7*   “6*    -    .5      “5     |
  Fo – go,    Twil-lin-gate,   More-ton’s     Har – bour,    

|    .5   “6*    -   .7*      “6*    |     ;6   -   ;6       |     <
     All   a  -    round   the         cir   -  cle
Embedded youTube Videos
Ten videos in keys:   D=1    G=8   G,C=1
Key:  G 

Jig tempo: ~ 145 bpm

Group:  Great Big Sea

​Posted by:  steenmachine123

This rendition contains musical interludes that are variations on the tune.
Key:  G (for singing parts)
     & C  (for some interludes)

Jig tempo: ~ 155 bpm

Group:  Fogo Island
             Accordion Group

​Posed by:  Aaron Brown

In playing for dances, Groups often switch between rows and between octaves to make the tune more interesting.
Key:  G 

Jig tempo:  ~ 150 bpm

Singer:  Harry Hibbs

​Posted by:  quickaccent2006

Switches back and forth between lower and higher octaves.
Key:  G  (for singing part)
              (Variations for some interludes)

Jig tempo: ~ 130 bpm

Group:  Ryan's Fancy

Posted by:  quickaccent2006
Key: G 

Jig tempo:  ~ 165 bpm.

Group:  Shanneyganock 

Posted by: Don Shorock's Channel

A performance in Memphis, Tennessee in 2009, with the great Mark Hiscock on the accordion.
Key: G

Jig tempo:  ~ 155 bpm

Player:  Poss Slaney  

​Posted by:  Newfieposs

Poss also uses a variation in a lower octave to make the tune more interesting.  You can see when to switch octaves by watching his fingers.
Key:  D

JIg tempo: ~ 155 bpm

Singer:  Dick Nolan

​Posted by:  VenomousNewfie
Key: G 

Choir:  ?

Posted by: BY Liu

I'se the b'y appears to be a favorite with choral groups everywhere.  This is the 1st of the three I've included as examples.
Key:  G 

Choir:    1989 Arkansas All-State Choir

​​Posted by:  David Winberry

I'se the b'y appears to be a favorite with choral groups everywhere.  This is the 2nd of the three I've included as examples.
Key:  G (with variations on the
               tune in the middle)

Choir:  Clark College Chorale  

Posted by: Rob Stevens

I'se the b'y appears to be a favorite with choral groups everywhere.  This is the 3rd of the three I've included as examples.  
BACKGROUND MATERIALS, INFORMATION & LINKS
Remaining
​Lyrics:

(Sing chorus after each verse)
Verse 2




Verse 3




Verse 4




Verse 5
Sods and rinds to cover your flake,
Cake and tea for supper
Codfish in the spring o' the year
Fried in maggoty butter.

I don't want your maggoty fish
They're no good for winter
I can buy better than that
Down in Bonavista.

I took Liza to a dance
As fast as she could travel
And every step that she did take
Was up to her knees in gravel.

Susan White, she's out of sight
Her petticoat wants a border
Old Sam Oliver in the dark
He kissed her in the corner.
Sources:
(Items 2 to 5 at right are sometimes available in local music stores, and 4 & 5 may be purchased online from Vinland Music.  
Excellent sources for lyrics and piano & guitar music!
  1. Gerald S. Doyle Songbook
  2. Favorite Songs of Newfoundland (Alan Mills & Keneth Peacock, Published by BMI Canada Ltd., 1958)
  3. All Around the Circle, Volume 1 (Lyle Drake & Sean Harris, Published by Tilt Hill Publishing Company, 2000)
  4. Catch ahold this One, Volume 1  (Eric West, Published by Vinland Music, 2002)
  5. Newfoundland Explorations for Guitar (Eric West, Published by Vinland Music, 2011)
Background Links:
In "Notes on the Songs" at end of Catch ahold this One (Vinland Music, 2013), Neil Rosenberg states that "There is reason to suggtest that the song was written in the Notre Dame Bay community of Moreton's Harbour by Joseph Deer and/or Mark Gatehouse..... Coincidentally, both men married women with the first name Eliza."

Click HERE and HERE for additional info about this song.