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Tune Away!

from Clutter from 2006 by Brooke Abbey

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about

A tuning shanty! I mean, actually you'd want to punch anyone who tried to play a tuning shanty while you were trying to tune, but shh. I almost never play this in filk circles because it comes off as kind of mean. I love hearing new music with interesting lyrics, whether the person performing it has the musicianship to sing in tune or not. Also, playing this song, which involves whaling away on my strings, inevitably puts ME out of tune, leaving me to annoy those poor souls around me who have perfect pitch. You poor bastards, I'm so sorry.

All of which said, I certainly prefer the sound of an instrument that has been properly tuned, and hooray for the gadgets that make this pretty easy to do, even if your ears aren't so hot.

Where it says "strum alternately with G" - this is a trick you can only really get away with on an instrument tuned in open G, like a banjo. Just staying on Dm sounds fine too.

lyrics

You've pulled your guitar on out of its case Dm (strum alternately with G)
There's a pick in your hand and a look on your face Am Dm
Like you're about to sing but we hope you're not Dm
For there's one small task which you forgot: Am Dm

Tune away! Tune away, boys G Dm
Or the song you play will just be noise Am Dm
Tune away! We'll wait patiently G Dm
'Til you've got that guitar in the proper key Am A Dm
Am Dm
Dm
Am Dm
In school a mark of ninety percent
Will earn you an A and a compliment
But if you bring twelve strings to the circle, bud
Please tune all twelve, or we'll be out for blood

Tune away! Tune away, boys
Or the song you play will just be noise
Tune away! We'll wait patiently
'Till you've got that thing, and I mean every string, in the proper key

There's a man in the corner with perfect pitch
If you don't have a tuner just watch him twitch
His sorry grimace will fade away
When you've got that string to a concert A

Tune away! Tune away, boys
Or the song you play will just be noise
Tune away! We'll wait patiently
'Til you've got that guitar in the proper key

Tune away! Tune away, boys
Or the song you play will just be noise
Tune away! We'll wait patiently
'Til you've got that guitar (and that banjo, miss) in the proper key

credits

from Clutter from 2006, released December 31, 2006

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Brooke Abbey Vancouver

Brooke Abbey (formerly Brooke Lunderville) is a banjo-playing pharmacist from Vancouver, BC.

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