UCL2 - WEEK 6
"The WILD Rover"
This week you will explore, THE WILD ROVER, a song that originated as an English broadside ballad in the 1670s about a hard-drinking 'Bad Husband' who saw the error of his ways, but was edited down over the centuries, rebranded as 'The Wild Rover,' with a chorus added.
This evolved into several distinct versions found in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and North America. The Dubliners' version of the song is probably the most well-known version and one you will definitely hear on St Patricks day.
This evolved into several distinct versions found in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and North America. The Dubliners' version of the song is probably the most well-known version and one you will definitely hear on St Patricks day.
PDF DOWNLOADS
CHORDS
This song uses just three simple chords, G, C, and D7, making it great for beginners. For most of the song, you can stick with the open D7, but keep an eye out for the barred D7 in the second position at bar 4 of the chorus.
While the chord progression may seem easy, the song’s structure presents a unique challenge with its irregular bar count in the verses and unexpected transitions. Pay close attention to the switches, and you’ll have it down in no time!
While the chord progression may seem easy, the song’s structure presents a unique challenge with its irregular bar count in the verses and unexpected transitions. Pay close attention to the switches, and you’ll have it down in no time!
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STRUMMING TECHNIQUE
The song is played in 3/4, Also known as WALTZ TIME at a speed of around 160BPM. This means that each bar contains a count of just 3 beats as illustrated below:
SONG STRUCTURE
This song follows a classic structure with two main sections, the verse and chorus, repeating throughout, much like many traditional British folk songs. It begins with a simple four-bar intro, using only the chord of G to set the tone before the main progression kicks in.
The chords used in this song are G Major, C Major, and D7. While this may seem like a simple progression, the chord sequence presents an interesting challenge. The verse sections contain an uneven number of bars, which creates an unexpected harmonic shift. This asymmetry leads directly into the dominant V chord (D7) at the start of the chorus, reinforcing a strong sense of resolution and momentum. Understanding this structural nuance will help you anticipate the changes and develop a more intuitive feel for the song's flow. See the chord sequence below and refer to the PDF above for a more detailed structure.
The chords used in this song are G Major, C Major, and D7. While this may seem like a simple progression, the chord sequence presents an interesting challenge. The verse sections contain an uneven number of bars, which creates an unexpected harmonic shift. This asymmetry leads directly into the dominant V chord (D7) at the start of the chorus, reinforcing a strong sense of resolution and momentum. Understanding this structural nuance will help you anticipate the changes and develop a more intuitive feel for the song's flow. See the chord sequence below and refer to the PDF above for a more detailed structure.
AUDIO TRACKS
The audio play along tracks are a good way to practice the song structure with and without vocals.
Have a listen to each of them to familiarise yourself with the tune.
Have a listen to each of them to familiarise yourself with the tune.
THE WILD ROVER: Uke part only w/click track @ 160PM
THE WILD ROVER: Uke & Vocals w/click track @ 160PM
VIDEO TUTORIALS
FULL SONG TUTORIAL
MP3 DOWNLOAD
Download the full-speed MP3 track (155 BPM) by clicking the button below. This will be a great tool for offline practice, helping you build confidence and accuracy while playing along at home.
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