Bury Me Beneath the Willow
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Another simple banjo song beginners can play with ease
A well-loved traditional American song. This is a great tune to play at jam sessions and get everyone to sing along with the chorus. Some songs have a different melody for the verse and chorus, in this song they are the same, so it's twice as easy to learn!
Song Lyrics
Oh, bury me under the weeping willow
Yes, under the weeping willow tree
So he may know where I am sleeping
And perhaps he will weep for me
My heart is sad and I’m in sorrow
For the only one I love
When shall I see him, oh, no, never
Till I meet him in heaven above
They told me that he did not love me
I could not believe it was true
Until an angel softly whispered
He has proven untrue to you
Tomorrow was our wedding day
But, Lord, oh, where is he
He’s gone to seek him another bride
And he cares no more for me
Oh, bury me under the violets blue
To prove my love to him
Tell him that I would die to save him
For his love I never could win
Oh, bury me under the weeping willow
Yes, under the weeping willow tree
So he may know where I am sleeping
And perhaps he will weep for me
Bury Me Beneath the Willow Tablature
The melody of this song is played on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings. You will need to use the left hand to fret all three strings; in the easy basic fingering positions shown in the diagram.
You can play the melody of this song using only the right hand Thumb to pick every note! This song is a Thumb Lead song, which means the melody is played entirely with the Thumb and you use the Index and Middle fingers to play extra rolls and pinches. Get started by picking out the melody from the TAB and see if you can match what your ears are hearing to the way the song is supposed to sound.
In the Banjo Academy you will learn several ways to add rolls and pinches on top of the basic melody. This will help you become an authentic sounding banjo player, like Nick.
Nick learnt to play this song in the Banjo Academy, it was his first Thumb Lead song. You can see it takes him several attempts to get it right! On his fifth attempt, he nails it, and not only that, he adds a few little flourishes of his own! This version of Bury Me Beneath the Willow is based upon what you will learn in the Banjo Academy, but Nick has added a few extra hammer-ons. Way to go Nick!
Watch Our Student Nick Grant Play this Song
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GET THIS SONG & MORE IN MY STRUCTURED LEARNING PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE IN BOTH THE BANJO ACADEMY & THUMB LEAD
You can get this song in my Banjo Academy and my Thumb Lead programs. Each full song within these learning programs includes slow-motion, close ups, and I'll break it down for you so you learn the music basics, which, if applied give you the keys to the banjo one song at a time.
Are you a beginner?
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It's packed full of the most fundamental steps you need to take to start playing banjo songs.
“Thousands of beginners & musicians alike now play who never thought they could.”
Discover my revived 3—finger banjo technique. If you practice daily, you can play any banjo song you want.
It’s not just possible—it’s easy using these simple hand positions.
Most banjo books try to make you run before you can walk. That can often put people off. I’ll tell you now if you practice using what I show you in the academy—you’ll be able to play almost any song you want. Click below to see what you can get.
