Cockles and Mussels

by James Yorkston · posted by irishharpman

How hard is it?

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How to read this tab — notation key

+: Blow note
−: Draw note
b or ': Half-step bend
bb or '': Two half-step bend
bbb or ''': Three half-step bend
(###): Chord — relevant hole numbers in parentheses
< or *: Push the button in (chromatic harmonica)

Full reference and posting tips in the tab guide.

Tab

3   4 4      4   4 5 
In Dublin's fair city, 
-4   4     -4  -4  -4  -4 -5
where the girls are so pretty 
-4  5  -4   4   6   -5  5    5 -4  4 -4     
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone 
3  3     4      4   4     4 5
As she wheel'd her wheel barrow 
-4      4       -4   -4  -4 -4 5
Through the streets broad and narrow 

(Chorus)
5 -4    5 6    -5   5 6    -5 5   4 -4  4   
Crying "Cockles and Mussels alive, alive O!"
3 4     4 4 4 5     4 -4  -4 -4 -4 5
Alive, alive O!    Alive, alive O
5 -4    5 6     -5  5 6    -5 5    4 -4 4
Crying Cockles and Mussels Alive, alive O!

She was a fishmonger, 
But sure 'twas no wonder, 
For so were her father and mother before, 
And they each wheel'dtheir barrow 
Thro' streets broad and narrow, 
(Repeat Chorus)

She died of a fever 
And no one could save her, 
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone; 
But her ghost wheels her barrow 
Thro' streets broad and narrow 
(Repeat Chorus)

Play on a harmonica— watch which holes to blow & draw, with sound