Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it

Subject: Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 10:47 AM

I've has two requests from folks about playing Andy M Stewart's song, FERRY ME OVER. I've also had a few folks ask me about it when we were playing together. I guess it's one of those songs where it sounds like there's more going on then you think! So here are some notes on how I play it. I hope it comes in handy. This is a beautiful song, and one I love to sing:

First of all; I use a drop D tuning and walk a bass line down from the D chord to the G is a sort of continuous spiral - so it sounds like there is more chord "movement" then there actually is. Having said that, there's not much more to it then meets the eye. Here are the chords I use:

Ferry Me Over - Andy M Stewart
                                 
[D]I was forced to [G]wander be[D]cause that I was [G]poor
                                                
And to [D]leave the hills of [G]Caledoni[D]a seemed [Em]more than I could en[A]dure

And [D]when that I was [G]travellin oh what [D]thought came to my [G]mind

That [D]I had never [G]seen her [D]beauty [Em]til she was far be[A]hind

   
[D]Ferry me [G]over, [D]ferry me [G]there
   
To [D]leave the [G]hills of [D]Caledonia,

is [Em]more than the heart can [A]bear

Subject: RE: Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 10:56 AM

Oh - there are a couple more comments Ihave for you:

To give the chords that "suspended" feel, I almost never play a whole G chord. The low string is dropped to a D, so I play it open, (if I play it when using the G chord) and I add an extra D note with my third finger on the third fret of the second string. Then I play the high E string open. While it is still essentially a G chord, these changes give it a full color, rich flavor sort of feel.

Likewise with the A chord, I almost always play it without the C# - so I play that second string open (or B).

Both of these little "color chord" changes give the song's chord structure a more open feel. Adding the full chord from time-to-time gives you an additional sound of movement, even though you are bascially playing the same chord.

These are two things I do for this song - but they are common techniques I use in many songs.

Subject: RE: Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it
From: MMario
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 11:00 AM

whatever it is you do - it certainly works. This is a song I'd *like* to add to my repetoire - but between trying to come anywhere close to your singing of it, and lacking the instrumental ability in toto - well let's just say - I'm still working on it.

Subject: RE: Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 01:13 PM

MMario,

Do you play guitar?

If not, have you considered learning to play Autoharp. A great instrument for simple arrangements and at the same time great potential for some interesting arrangements.

Ferry Me Over would work a charm with an Autoharp.

Don

Subject: RE: Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it
From: MMario
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 01:17 PM

don - I gave up on trying to do any instrument at all a long time ago - when I failed "shaky egg"

Subject: RE: Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it
From: Snead Hearn
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 03:34 PM

I've heard a recording of Carrickfergus sung by Sean O'Se at the Gaeity in 1971. It was part of a show produced by Sean O'Riada. Are you familiar with this?

Subject: RE: Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 04:57 PM

I like the dropped D idea, I'll have to try it. I've been playing it like this;

D]I was forced [Gm] to [G]wander [D] because that [Gm] I was [G]poor
                                                
And to [D]leave the hills [Gm] of Caledonia [Em] seemed [G]more than I could en[A]dure (repeats for next 2 lines as well as the chorus)

Great song.

Bigchuck at work

Subject: RE: Ferry Me Over - notes on playin' it
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 06:47 PM

Hey MMario,

Lets see, in words of no hidden meaning, 'Horse Shit."

Get up here to Jordan on open mic night and I'll help you with that Shakey Egg thing. If I can find one thats playable I'll loan you an Autoharp.

You sing very well. I think it's time to broaden your peformance skills. Certainly Archipeligo is a great way to sing. I'm thinking about stage performance and staying in pitch.

Call me, I'm in the book.

Don