Spencer The Rover - John Martyn

by stephead 1. April 2010 10:37

Hi

The lyrics of this traditional folk ballad might strike an emotional chord with anyone who's work has taken them away from family and loved ones for any length of time. This and other aspects of the tale also seem to have some parallels with the often crazed troubadour lifestyle which John Martyn led. In any case his is a lovely interpretation of the song (on the Sunday's Child album) and here is a tab posted on the original John Martyn Guitar Freaks' Forum by Andy Stephen circa 2000.

Playing Notes
  • The tuning is DADGAD.
  • John Martyn strums the 6th and 5th strings through most of the song, although this is not shown on the tab.
  • On the original live televised version way back early 70's (which is included on the BBC Live CD) before playing Spencer the Rover, he lights up what looks like a spliff, inhales very deeply and says "Look, Clint Eastwood". That's our John!
Tablature
Spencer The Rover - John Martyn
INTRO
D---------0----------|-----------0--------|---------0----------|-----------0--------|
A-------0------------|-------0------------|-------0------------|-------0------------|
G-------2----0-------|-------0------0-----|-------2----0-------|-------0------0-----|
D----0-----------4---|----4------------4--|----0-----------4---|----4------------4--|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
D--0-----------------|--2-----------------|--0-----------------|--2-----------------|
VERSE
D---------0----------|-----------0--------|---------0----------|-----------0--------|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
G-------2----0-------|-------2------0-----|-------0----0-------|-------0------0-----|
D----0-----------4---|----0------------4--|----4-----------4---|----4------------4--|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
D--0-----------------|--0-----------------|--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
This  tune   was          composed  by         Spencer     the      Rover
D---------0----------|-----------0--------|
A-------0------------|-------0------------|
G-------0----0-------|-------0------0-----|
D----4-----------4---|----4------------4--|
A--------------------|--------------------|
D--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
D---------0----------|-----------0--------|---------0----------|-----------0--------|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
G-------2----0-------|-------2------0-----|-------0----0-------|-------0------0-----|
D----0-----------4---|----0------------4--|----4-----------4---|----4------------4--|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
D--0-----------------|--0-----------------|--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
   As  valiant   a          man     as           ever     left       home
D---------0----------|-----------0--------|
A--------------------|--------------------|
G-------0----0-------|-------0------0-----|
D----4-----------4---|----4------------4--|
A--------------------|--------------------|
D--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
                                              He had
D---------0----------|-----------0--------|---------0----------|-----------0--------|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
G-------0----0-------|-------0------0-----|-------0----0-------|-------0------0-----|
D----5-----------5---|----4------------4--|----0-----------0---|----2------------2--|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
D--5-----------------|--4-----------------|--2-----------------|--2-----------------|
    been    much         reduced  which       caused    great      confusion
D---------0----------|
A--------------------|
G-------0----0-------|
D----2-----------0---|
A--------------------|
D--2-----------------|
                        And
D---------0----------|-----------0--------|---------0----------|-----------0--------|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
G-------2----0-------|-------2------0-----|-------0----0-------|-------2------0-----|
D----0-----------4---|----0------------4--|----4-----------4---|----0------------4--|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
D--0-----------------|--0-----------------|--2-----------------|--0-----------------|
    that      was        reason     he        started     to       roam
D---------0----------|-----------0--------|---------0----------|-----------0--------|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
G-------0----0-------|-------2------0-----|-------0----0-------|-------0------0-----|
D----4-----------4---|----0------------4--|----4-----------4---|----4------------4--|
A--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
D--2-----------------|--0-----------------|--2-----------------|--2-----------------|

(Originally posted on John Martyn Guitar Freaks Forum by Andy Stephen circa 2000)

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Permalink | Comments (2)

Comments

5/16/2011 11:59:51 PM #

BenF

Most of the live performances are around half a step up from DADGAD, but that is in BF#BEF#B capo 4th fret or A#FA#F#FA# capo 5th fret of your guitar will still make a sound.

Also, the above comment re. playing the 5th and 6th strings is spot on, but JM seems to play all the bass notes on the 6th string with his thumb, so the chord shapes are

000200
004200
224000
555000
444000
and
222000

I find it easier to barr the bass strings with my second finger rather than use my thumb, but this is largely because the capo gets in the way.  Using an elastic capo like JM would make it easier to use the thumb.

Hope this helps anyone trying to learn this one.

BenF United Kingdom

1/24/2012 2:48:36 AM #

Falco

Just found this website, great stuff I have to say. Aside from learning some stuff of the Stefan Grossman dvds I just want to have some fun and attempt some Martyn. Thanks!

Falco United Kingdom

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