Cuckoo's Nest: Mandolin Tab
Mandolin tab and sheet music with synced audio · Key of D · 120 BPM · 4/4 time · Folk-English · Beginner
Chords used in this arrangement: D, A, C, G.
Cuckoo's Nest was a well-understood bit of bawdy slang in English folk tradition, which is part of why this tune shows up absolutely everywhere: Cotswold morris dances, country dance collections, bawdy song sheets, you name it. It dates back to at least the early 18th century, and by the time it crossed the Atlantic it had been programmed into a Connecticut chime clock and was turning up at New England contra dances. One researcher even floated the idea that the tune originally went by the name "Come Ashore Jolly Tar (with) Your Trousers On"!
This page includes mandolin tablature, standard music notation, and a chord chart, printable as PDF and playable in sync with the original recording. Change the key, slow the tempo down, and loop the bars you want to practise. Download the Cuckoo's Nest PDF.
Cuckoo's Nest: questions and answers
What key is Cuckoo's Nest in?
Cuckoo's Nest is in D major. The transpose control on this page moves the tab, notation and chords to any other key.
What chords are used in Cuckoo's Nest?
The chords in this arrangement are D, A, C, G. The chord chart on this page shows each shape and highlights the current chord as the tune plays.
How fast is Cuckoo's Nest played?
This recording is at 120 BPM in 4/4 time. Use the speed control to slow it down without changing the pitch, then work back up to full tempo.
Is Cuckoo's Nest a good tune for beginners?
Yes. Cuckoo's Nest is rated beginner, so it suits players who are still learning their first tunes.
Can I download Cuckoo's Nest as sheet music?
Yes. A printable PDF with the mandolin tab and standard notation is free at /tab/cuckoos-nest.pdf, and there is a download button on this page.
Related tunes
More in D
- The Lark in the Morning (D, 120 BPM)
- Liberty (John Dickinson and Arthur Lee,, D, 120 BPM)
- Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine (D, 120 BPM)
- Fairy Dance (Nathaniel Gow, D, 120 BPM)
- Briar Picker Brown (D, 120 BPM)
- Banks of the Ohio (D, 120 BPM)
- Quince Dillons High D (D, 120 BPM)
- Frieze Britches (D, 120 BPM)
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