MUSSELS IN THE CORNER
(The Song - Beginner's Version - often "fast" & with humour)
As a Song, Based on a Traditional NL tune, we'll play it with 4 beats per bar. (It can also
be played as a dance tune, where it is usually performed as a reel, with 2 beats per bar.)
be played as a dance tune, where it is usually performed as a reel, with 2 beats per bar.)
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Button-Accordion Notation
Somewhat simplified for use in Unit 10 of BA1.
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Beats per bar = 4, with emphasis on 1st & 3rd.
Beat symbol = Dot ( . ) or equivalent Suitable beat pattern: Bass-Chord-Bass-Chord |
Verse = Buttons 3 to 6
Instrumental 1 = Buttons 3 to 6 Instrumental 2 = Buttons 3 to 5* or = Buttons 6 to 9* |
Many performers do two part instrumental before the singing, between verses, and at the end:
Instrumental 1 - with same tune as verse 1 below, sometimes played twice as part of set.
Instrumental 2 - with different tune from verse, as given below, sometimes also played twice.
Instrumental 1 - with same tune as verse 1 below, sometimes played twice as part of set.
Instrumental 2 - with different tune from verse, as given below, sometimes also played twice.
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Verse 1:
| .6 .6* .5* .5 | .4 .5 :5* | Deed I am in love with you .5 .4 .3 .3* | .4 .3* :3* | Out all night in-the fog - gy dew .6 .6* .5* .5 | .4 .5 :5* | Deed I am in love with you .5 .4 .3* .4 | :3 :3 | Mus-sels in the corn - er Instrumental 1: Same tune as verse 1 above. Instrumental 2 (sometimes referred to a "turn"): | .7 .7* .6 .7* | .7 .8 :9* | | .4 .3* .3 .3* | .4 .5 :5* | .8 .7 .6 .7* | .7 .7* :7* | .5 .4 .3 .3* | .4 .3* :3* | .7 .7* .6 .7* | .7 .8 :9* | .4 .3* .3 .3* | .4 .5 :5* | .8 .7 .7* .7 | :6 :6 | .5 .4 .3* .4 | :3 :3 | There are other instrumental "turns" that are also popular (perhaps even more popular). We'll defer that for later learning and practice. |
The verse notation is shown at left. The instrumentals are usually done twice after each verse. Some folks prefer the low-octave version shown at left in black. Others prefer the high octave version shown at left in red. The choice is yours. |
Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Total of 13 videos in various keys: C = 4, D = 6, G = 3
You may notice that in the youTube videos below, different performers do this number in different ways with different choices and arrangements of verses and instrumentals. For example, some use 2 beats per bar, and some use 4 beats per bar; some use slightly different melodies, particularly on the "turns". There are also differences in the lyrics, not all of which are PC.
Total of 13 videos in various keys: C = 4, D = 6, G = 3
You may notice that in the youTube videos below, different performers do this number in different ways with different choices and arrangements of verses and instrumentals. For example, some use 2 beats per bar, and some use 4 beats per bar; some use slightly different melodies, particularly on the "turns". There are also differences in the lyrics, not all of which are PC.
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Key: D
Group: The Dorymen Accordion: Tom Rose Vocals: John Drake Lead guitar: Linda Stone Posted by: Garr1984 |
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Key: D
Accordion: Greg Brown Posted by: Nunavut Sivuniksavut Greg runs though two parts quite slowly, and then plays them more quickly. |
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Key: D
Accordion: Greg Brown Posted by: Nunavut Sivuniksavut Here Greg first runs through two parts quite quickly, and then repeats the parts slowly. |
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Key: D
on Guitar: Jerry Lush Accordionist: Jamie Spurvey Posted by: Jerry Lush Instrumental - button accordin & guitar Great video, music & scenery. |
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Key: D
Accordion: Poss Slaney Posted by: Newfieposs Instrumental - button accordion Great playing by one of NL's finest. |
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Key: D
on Accordion: Harry Hibbs Posted by: oldirishladdie Instrumental - button accordion |
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Key: G
Accordion: Delmon Reid Posted by: dellreid Instrumental - button accordion |
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Key: C
Accordions: Delmon Reid and the late Jack Hynes. Posted by: kelticknots Instrumental - button accordion Filmed on Change Islands in the 1970s. You can see the members of Ryan's Fancy, as well as Canon George Earle, really enjoying the music. (And Mr. Reid hasn't changed a bit, has he?) |
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Key: C
Accordion Player: ? Posted by: newfiebob2's channel Instrumental - button accordion Played on a Hohner 4 stop HA-114 |
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Key: C
Group: Fogo Island Accordion Group Members: Melanie Penton, Heather Penton, Jamie Hancock, Chris King & Aaron Brown. Posted by: Aaron Brown At Joe Batt's Arm seaside folk festival, 2011. |
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Key: C
Accordionist: Phil Grimes Posted by: Ted Grimes Instrumental - piano accordion Great job Phil. |
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Key: G
Group: Shanneyganock Accordionist: Mark Hiscock Posted by: Shanneyganock - Topic |
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Key: G
Performer: ? Posted by: My channel Instrumental - button accordion A talented young player. |
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Background Materials, Information & Links
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Lyrics
& Instrumentals: |
"Mussels in the Corner" is often played at dances, as a reel, and often without vocals. However, lyrics help the process of learning a tune.
Verse 1: Above Verse 2: Ask a bayman for a smoke He will say his pipe is broke Ask a bayman for a chew He will bite it off for you Instrumental 1 (same tune as verse) Instrumental 2 (different) Verse 3: Dirty shirts and dirty ties Dirty rings around their eyes Can't get up the morning boys Dirty Torbay men Instrumental 1 Instrumental 2 Verse 4: Here they are as white as ghosts Baymen in their little boats Women in their petticoats Bound for Petty Harbour Instrumental 1 Instrumental 2 Instrumental 1 |