Sheet Music: The World Turned Upside Down

TitleThe World Turned Upside Down
Alternate titlesWhen the King Enjoys His Own Again
ComposerTraditional English
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyD major
RangeA4–A5
Time signature2/2
Tempo80 BPM
Performance time0:40
Difficulty leveleasy
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (52 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (305 kB)
Date added2015-08-25
Last updated2015-08-25
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 0.4 (below average)
Categories
Ballads, Marches, Patriotic, Traditional/Folk

Performances

See here for instructions on how to submit your own recording!

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Tune of the Day: The World Turned Upside Down

Traditional English ballad

This English ballad originated in the middle of the 1640s as a protest against the policies of Parliament relating to the celebration of Christmas. The tune is however older, and shared with another ballad, “When the King Enjoys His Own Again”, which was written at around the same time and was perhaps the most popular song in mid-17th-century England. The 18th-century critic Joseph Ritson called it “the most famous and popular air ever heard in this country”.

According to tradition, when Lord Cornwallis surrendered at the Siege of Yorktown (1781) the British band played this tune.

Thanks to Steve for suggesting this song!

Other Tunes in the same Categories