In this songbook, we've compiled English-language romantic songs and ballads from various countries, including England, Ireland, Scotland, the USA, and Australia. There are 50 and 1 songs in the book.

The musical notes have been simplified to an easy-to-play melody, avoiding arrangements and semitones, as the kalimba traditionally does not have keys tuned in semitones. No prior musical experience or ability to read sheet music is necessary to start playing right away.

This sheet music is designed to be adaptable for any kalimba, whether you have a compact 8-note instrument or a larger 17-note version.

Each circle on the sheet corresponds to a specific note number, matching each key on your kalimba. The duration of the notes is shown by the parentheses following the circles. The more parentheses after the circle, the longer the note's duration.

A whole note has three parentheses, while other notes have shorter duration and are indicated by two, one, or no parentheses.

A dot after the note indicates an additional half-parenthesis duration.

A dot above a note indicates a higher octave, as is common on kalimba keys.

It's important to note that the circles do not represent semitones, as kalimbas are typically not tuned in semitones.

Every page includes QR codes that link to the appropriate song. While these examples might not feature our simplified melodies, they help in understanding the melodies and rhythm.

Table of contents:

Annie Laurie

Au Clair de la Lune

Aura Lee

Beautiful Brown Eyes

Bella Ciao

Blood on the Saddle

Bound for South Australia

Brennan on the Moor

Wedding March (Bridal Chorus)

Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie

Butcher Boy

Cliffs of Doneen

Come Back Liza

Cotton Eyed Joe

Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes

Hi’ilawe

House of the Rising Sun

I Gave My Love a Cherry

I Love You

Isn’t It Grand, Boys?

Italian Waltz

James Connoly

Lavender's Blue

Long, Long Ago

Man of Constant Sorrow

Molly Malone

My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean

My Home’s in Montana

My Singing Bird

My Wild Irish Rose

Old Folks at Home

The Red River Valley

Scarborough Fair

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

Skibbereen

Spancil Hill

Sweet Betsy from Pike

The Banks of Claudy

The Boys of Fairhill

The Irish Rover

The Kerry Recruit

The Meeting of the Waters

The Northern Lights of Aberdeen

The Rocks of Bawn

The Snowy-Breasted Pearl

The Spanish Lady

Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree

Vive L’Amour

Wanderin’

Weile Walia

Wildwood Flower