I Gave My Love a Cherry
The Riddle Song
I Gave My Love a Cherry (The Riddle Song) is a very pretty folk tune with initially puzzling, but clever lyrics. Students will be intrigued as they read the solution to the riddle.
Download the sheet music as a lead sheet, an early intermediate piano arrangement, or a beginner Middle C version.
*Listen to a recording of I Gave My Love a Cherry*
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
This song's lyrics may puzzle students
I loved this song as a girl, but admit to being mystified by some of the lyrics for years. What was a cherry "stone?" In my part of the country, we used the term "pit" instead. Of course, a blooming flower hasn't developed a fruit yet, so it has no stone.
But what is "pippin'?" No one ever told me, so I eventually looked that word up... Turns out, that is the stage of an egg before the chicken has developed.
A version for beginners
Turn this song into a duet by supplying the chords for your student. Not sure how to do that? Get started by reading through my page Free Lead Sheets.
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
Alternate lyrics
The third part of the riddle, "I gave my love a story that has no end," is not the way that I knew it as a child. What I learned was, "I gave my love a ring, that has no end."
I like "story" much better! Because the answer to the riddle of the never-ending story is sweet, whereas the answer to the riddle of the ring doesn't really make much sense: "A ring when it's rolling, it has no end..."
Lead sheet arrangements
In the key of G
The key of G is easier for beginning violinists and guitarists.
The links for the sheet music:
Download Riddle Song in the key of D for piano
Download I Gave My Love a Cherry for the piano in the key of F
Download piano arrangement in the key of G
The link for the beginner arrangement:
Download the Middle C arrangement
The links for the lead sheets:
Download the lead sheet for the Riddle Song in D
Download the lead sheet I Gave My Love in F
More Folk Songs to Sing:
Ae Fond Kiss - a love song about saying goodbye, from Scotland
All the Pretty Little Horses - a soft and repetitious lullaby, quite pretty
Ash Grove - a famous and lovely song from Wales
Auld Lang Syne - the New Year's Eve song!
Colorado Trail Song - an American tune written by a real cowboy
Come By the Hills - another popular Irish melody
Down By the Salley Gardens - a famous and pretty song, very sweet
Green Bushes - a brisk little song that is pretty while being good for breath control training
Grenadier and the Lady - my favorite folk song of all. Find out why
I Gave My Love a Cherry - the "Riddle Song" is very pretty
Loch Lomond - the famous and sad song about never meeting again
Mari's Wedding - a singable tune with bouncy chords that is fun to play or sing
Minstrel Boy - a lovely and patriotic song about a warrior-poet
Molly Bawn - a sad story of a young hunter who thought he was shooting at a swan
Morning Has Broken - a beautiful melody made famous again by Cat Stevens
Once I Had a Sweetheart - "but now I have none!" Very pretty, and little-known.
Parting Glass - a well-known Irish tune which my singers always love
Raggle-Taggle Gypsies - a story about a young bride who abandons her wealthy new husband to go off with the gypsies. A catchy melody!
Scarborough Fair - an old and famous tune of lost love
Shenandoah - a famous and lovely American tune with ambiguous lyrics
Skye Boat Song - a pretty song from Scotland about the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie over the sea
Spanish Ladies - a minor key sea chanty that swings energetically along - BOYS like singing it too!
The Spanish Lady - Upbeat and energetic, this Irish song is fun to perform with a group
Star of the County Down - LOTS of fun to sing and play! An excellent ensemble piece
The Wellerman - a sea chanty that is very singable, and very fun!
Dianna:
Your website is a light in the darkness. THANK YOU for all you do in helping to spread the love of music. It matters!
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About the Author
Hi, I'm Dana! (Say that like "Anna".) I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.
Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.
You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.
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