FOLK SONGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
   
THE ERIE CANAL:  You can hear me harmonizing with myself by using audio editing software to lay down a vocal lead track, and then coming back to lay down a vocal harmonizing track.  MP3 Audio file.  Download the sheet music - PDF File.  I had a lot of fun singing this song.  I remember singing this as a child in Elementary school.  Bruce Springsteen did a version of this song also.  The Kingston Trio did a comical version of it also.  There are some historical pictures and records about the Erie Canal at this website.  You can find additional lyrics and a simple melodic midi file at this website.

MICHAEL ROW THE BOAT ASHORE:  The Highwaymen made this tune very popular during the early 1960's, of course afterwards, every folk group in the country performed this song.  Here is my rendition of it using the same software and laying down two vocal tracks.  MP3 Audio File.  Download the sheet music from this PDF File link.  You can read about the origins of this song and it's various interpretations at this website.  I think one reason why this song is so popular and universally recognized is because it is so easy to sing, and groups can sing it well.  It has a nice melody that flows well.

DARK EYES:  This is a Russian folk song that has been played my millions of musicians over the years.  You can watch this video clip of Chet Atkins playing Dark Eyes.  This sheet music arrangement is created with INSTANT READ MUSICAL NOTES.  The letter name of the note is embedded in the head of the note.  This makes it easier to learn how to actually read music notation.  Here is the PDF file of Dark Eyes.  Before you print it up and play it on your keyboard, listen to the midi file first so that you have a good idea of what the song sounds like.