WAVES ON THE SEA, HOW THEY ROLL (TTB)

QUARANTONES MALE CHOIR, Comox Valley, British Columbia, Canada

The Waves on the Sea, How They Roll is a traditional ballad with roots in 17th century Britain as The Mermaid. Over the decades it has surfaced in many versions and, like most English ballads, it became a part of the North American folk song tradition. The popularity of a 1941 Carter Family record resulted in the song becoming a part of the standard repertoire of country musicians, especially bluegrass bands, who play it both with singing or as an instrumental. Today most bluegrass banjo players and fiddlers would be able to launch into “Waves on the Sea” at a moment’s notice.

This arrangement for choir features a piano accompaniment patterned to some degree after the five string banjo style of bluegrass music. It could also be performed with added guitar or banjo, or even accompanied by a full bluegrass band. 

DURATION: 3:15