Six Eight Time Signature
This is the six eight time signature.
There are six eighth notes in one bar of ) time.
The six eighth notes are divided into two groups of three.
When playing or singing ) time there are two beats within each bar, with each beat having the value of a dotted quarter note. This is different from * and ^ time where each beat is a quarter note.
This traditional American song is in ) time and is written here in the key of E minor.
The second version of this song is in the key of Bb minor, which means it has been transposed up an interval of a diminished 5th from the key of E minor. A good knowledge of intervals is particularly useful for transposing, as well as helping you to learn songs more quickly by sight or by ear.
- My mother she’s a tailor
- She sews those new blue jeans
- My husband he’s a gamblin’ man,
- Drinks down in New Orleans.
- My husband he’s a gambler,
- He goes from town to town
- And the only time he’s satisfied
- Is when he drinks his liquor down.
- Now, the only thing that a gambler needs
- Is a suitcase and a trunk
- And the only time he’s ever satisfied
- Is when he’s on a drunk.
- He fills his glasses up to the brim
- And he passes the cards around
- And the only pleasure he gets out of life
- Is ramblin’ from town to town.
- Go tell my baby sister
- Not to do what I have done
- Shun that house in New Orleans
- They call the risin’ sun.
- If I had listened to what my mother said
- I’d have been at home today
- But I was so young and foolish
- I let a rambler lead me astray.
- Well it’s one foot on the platform
- And the other foot on the train
- I’m goin back to New Orleans
- To wear that ball and chain.
- I’m goin back to New Orleans
- My race is nearly run.
- I’m goin back to end my life
- In the house of the risin sun.