I was trying to play the song “The Rising of the Moon” (wich is the same tune of “The Wearing of the Green”), but I’m stuck with some doubts.
I got a PDF file wich has this song’s sheet but in the same file it says “Wearing Of The Green, The - G - C - 217”
It mighty be easier to you if I take pic so here it goes!
and here goes the sheet (I put the letters. I don’t know if it’s all right, so if there’s something wrong tell me please)!
Let’s see what are my doubts:
I’m think that “G” is the tone of the tune, but is it playable with a “D” whistle?
Was that “C” suppose to be the “Time-Signature”? How does “C” or “C|” works?
G is the key signature of the tune as displayed. Means that F is played sharp throughout (unless specifically indicated otherwise). Yes it can be played in G on a D whistle, just use the C-natural fingering (generally oxx ooo, but your whistle may vary somewhat) rather than C-sharp.
Yes, C is the time signature. Known as “common time” for all intents it is equivalent to 4/4 time (four notes per measure, quarter notes get one beat) C with a line through it is “cut time” or equivalent to 2/2 time (two notes per measure, half note gets one beat) [per Wikipedia]
I’m guessing that the 217 mentioned is the page number of the tune book from which the web image was derived.
Depending on your background, that’s called a “grace note” or “articulation” Basically it suggests (note: "suggests) that the tune would benefit by playing a very, very brief “d” note leading into the “c”. It sounds like a chirp and is used to accentuate the break between the notes. It’s not mandatory, no St. Patrick’s Day Police will come to take you away if you leave it out. If you play Irish music enough, you’ll develop your own pattern of usage of articulation… So for now, “fa’ getta bout it.”
Almost, but not quite the right way to think of it. Steve has it right. Technically, the slur connects the principal notes, here B and c. The d grace represents a cut - which, since it occurs within a slur, would be played legato, not attacked.
Can be played by tapping the d several ways, for example:
xooooo oxxxxx oxxooo = B, c and tap B1+B2+B3, release B1+B2+B3
One tiny issue with your note names (they appear to be right, though I didn’t check carefully). Most often the lower octave of notes would be designated with capital letters and the upper one with small letters. ABC notation uses that convention, and so do lots of other note naming schemes (though of course not all of them). Actually, unless you want to designate the octave just use either caps or smalls. You’ll have to explain your method most of the time if you do want to designate octaves and that’s why I suggest the change: The lower octave caps and higher lower case is more common for those to whom you might talk.
BTW, I’d certainly suggest you find some recordings of this tune (youtube perhaps) and learn from them. You’ll get a much better feeling for how the tune should sound if you can find examples of good players playing it.
The sheet music there has two ‘strains’ or parts, but the sung versions of Rising Of The Moon I’m used to hearing have just the first strain, the same melody used for verses and chorus.
Does the sung version of Wearing Of The Green have two strains? I just now realise that I’ve never heard it sung, that I can remember.
About a D gracenote on C natural, it’s somewhat unusual on the whistle, but very common in uilleann piping.
That sheet music lacks all of the cuts and pats that most whistle players would, without thought, use in that tune. Starting with the very first bar it would be very common to seperate those three Bs thus:
My recollection is both parts of the tune Wearin’ of the Green are used in the song. One section is verse and the other chorus. I tried to remember words etc. but all I can come up with is the singing call square dance I used to call… And, I’m too lazy to check the web.
Ah. I’ve found Wiki on the origin. I get the context now, both for the original and the rather ‘sexed up’ version. 1798, eh? I’d rather associate Randal Bays’ great tune, personally. Still, The Wearing of the Green makes a nice march-type tune. RB’s tune is a march, too.
And, I’m too lazy to check the web. 
Now I have to try and wipe them from my mind …