xBanks of the Nile
Fotheringay, Trad. arr. Sandy Denny
Since Reinhard Zierke (http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/) took
down his English Folk Music web pages, I couldn't find an active copy of
this tab anywhere on the web. I finally found an old copy by using the
internet archive (http://web.archive.org/web/20040702093058/www.informatik.
uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/sandy.denny/songs/banksofthenile.html). Not sure why
the tab for such a great song hadn't been submitted to one of the big tab
sites before now.
I think that the end of the 1st line goes to D instead of Bm7, and that
the ends of the 2nd and 3rd lines go to Bm after the Em. Also, the
Fotheringay version may be in Cm (capaoed?) rather than Am.
Here are the comments and chords from the original page (which also has
the complete lyric, but the lyric is widely available, anyway):
The only traditional song on Fotheringay, this is given a stunning
interpretation by Sandy with Jerry Donahue (electric guitar), Trevor Lucas
(acoustic guitar), Pat Donaldson (bass), Gerry Conway (drums). It was
recorded at Basing Street and Sound Techniques Studios in Spring 1970.
See also Trevor Lucas's version of On the Banks of the Condamine, an 18th
century Australian parody of Banks of the Nile.
Covered by Vikki Clayton on It Suits Me Well and by
Linde Nijland on her album Linde Nijland sings Sandy Denny (2003).
Transcribed by No'am Newman
intro: Am D Am7 D
Am D G Bm Em Am Bm7*
Oh hark! the drums do beat, my love, no longer can we stay.
Am D Am G C D Em
The bugle-horns are sounding clear, and we must march away.
Am D Am G C D Em
We're ordered down to Portsmouth, and it's many the weary mile.
Am7 D Am G Am G Am D Am7 D
To join the British Army on the banks of the Nile.
* one could play the Am shape shifted up two frets (without barre) for
variation
