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                   Parting Song (When You Smile-o) - Lead Belly
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Tabbed by: StoogeKebab with lyric assistance by JohnM
Tuning: Standard
Information:

There are a number of short riffs played in between chord changes and at the start.

They are as follows and will be marked with [square brackets] alongside the chords:

Riff 1:
e|------------|
B|------------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|-4-3-2------|
E|------------|

Riff 2:
e|------------|
B|------------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|-0-1-2------|
E|------------|

Riff 3:
e|------------|
B|------------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|-0-2-4------|

The song begins with a monologue played over chords and maintains an alternating bass line of (string): 
6, Chord, 5, Chord

Each chord is usually played 4 times per line


A [1] E7 A 
(instrumental)

A
“Now this is a children’s play song.
A
After they done picked cotton all day
A
And their mothers and fathers gonna take ‘em home
A
They gon’ separate now
A
Now they gon’ make a ring in the yard
A
And walk around
A
And they gon’ sing this song
A
Bidding each other goodbye”

A
I’ve come to say goodbye
A
Just one more parting sigh
              E7
Just one more last embrace

E7                     A
Although it grieves me so
E7                A
Honey I’ve got to go
E7                          [2]
Come let me kiss your sweet face

E7
Oh let me hear you say
E7
That when I’m far away
E7
You’ll think of me all the while

E7                    A
Stop all your foolish tears
E7                    A
Cheer up and dry your tears
E7
Come let me see you smile

E7                     A
Because when you smile-o
A                              [2]
This world will smile with you
E7
But when you cry though
E7
Then you cry alone

E7                 A
So don’t feel grieving
A                    E7
Just because I’m leaving
E7
Look up a-here honey
E7                      
And let me see you smile

[1] E7 [3] A

[1] E7 A

E7
Oh let me hear you say
E7
That when I’m far away
E7
You’ll love me all the while

E7
Oh on the darkest day
E7
One loving smile this way
E7                 
That loving heart beguile

E7
Try not to yearn in pain
E7
I’ll soon return again
E7
Come let me see you smile


E7                     A
Because when you smile-o
A                               [2]
This world will smile with you
E7
But when you cry though
E7
Then you cry alone

E7                 A
So don’t feel grieving
A                    E7
Just because I’m leaving
E7
Look up a-here honey
E7                      
And let me see you smile

[1] E7 [3] A

[1] E7 [3] A


E7                     A
Because when you smile-o
A                              [2]
This world will smile with you
E7
But when you cry though
E7
Then you cry alone

E7                 A
So don’t feel grieving
A                    E7
Just because I’m leaving
E7
Look up a-here honey
E7                       A  
And let me see you smile