Sheet Music for "Am I Born to Die"

Whistle
1

This is my first post, and I was sent here by “The Whistle Stop”, so thanks to them for the lead!
I have just started playing the low D whistle and have two questions.
The first is any tips I can get on using the pipers grip. After reading music and playing silver flute as a kid it’s pretty easy to learn the fingering for the notes, and I am using the finger phalanges on as illustrated in my handy instruction book, but hitting the mid range D on the fly is driving my crazy. Should my entire hand be turned a certain way?

Second question: I’d love to learn to play a song I heard on a new CD by the band Solas - it’s a haunting Shape note piece called “Am I Born to Die”, and was also sung by Tim Ericson in the movie “Cold Mountain”. Alas, I am not so great at learning by ear.
Does anyone know of a place to get sheet music for this? Or other Shape Note songs?
Thanks!
Rebecca

2

https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/pipers-grip-step-by-step/63881/1

Not sure which hymn setting you have in mind, but it could be Idumea (in 3) or Aylesbury (in 4) from The Southern Harmony: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/walker/harmony/files/hymns/f=A.html

Both The Southern Harmony and The Sacred Harp are available online and in print.

3

Doc Watson did a most poignant version of “And Am I Born To Die”. May he rest in peace. It’s a goody and an oldie. I am quite surprised that it is not in any of the several Methodist Hymnals we have on the shelf here, sometimes called “Charles Wesley’s Greatest Hits”.

Hint for the low whistle: Don’t let it drive you crazy. It will all come together for you in time. Just keep at it.

Welcome to the forum.

Feadoggie

4

Thanks to both of my repliers above! I will take a look at that Shape Note link, and keep at my lovely low whistle, I have hope!
Regards,
Rebecca