Martin Simpson Guitar Tunings

Here at Watershed Arts we get so many questions about the tunings Martin uses that we decided to post a tunings master list, which we will add to as often as we can. The names given to the tunings are the ones Martin prefers; sometimes alternative namings are given in brackets.

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From "The Bramble Briar (Topic Records)

Polly on the Shore: Gsus4/4 - CGDGCD
The Lover's Ghost: Gsus4/4 - CGDGCD
Fair Annie Tuning: Csus2 - CGCGCD [C9]
Dives and Lazarus: Gsus4/4 - CGDGCD
The Four Angels: Csus2 - CGCGCD [C9]
Betsy the Serving Maid: Gsus4 - CGDGCD
The Bramble Briar: DADGAD, down 1/2 step
Banks of Sweet Primroses: Drop D
Rounding the Horn: Gsus4/4 - CGDGCD
The Princess Royal: Gsus4/4 - CGDGCD
Sammy's Bar: Gsus4/4 - CGDGCD
Air for Maurice Ogg: Csus2 - CGCGCD [C9]
 


From "A Nod to Bob", the Bob Dylan tribute CD from Red House Records

Boots of Spanish Leather: CGCGCD Csus2 [C9]


From "Bootleg USA" (High Bohemia Records)

    Plains of Waterloo / James Connolly: Csus2 - CGCGCD [C9]
    One More Day / Boots of Spanish Leather: Csus2 - CGCGCD [C9]
    Lillies of the Field: Gsus2/4 - CGDGAD
    Roadkill: DADGAC
    Strange Affair: Gsus4 - DGDGCD
    Granemore Hare: Csus2
    Highway 61 medley: Open G major - DGDGBD, capo 3
    Delia (also on "Smoke and Mirrors"): Drop D, capo 3, key of F
    Jasper Songbird / Spoonfull: DADGAD
    Fool Me Once: acoustic guitar in DADGAD, electric in Csus2
     

From "Cool & Unusual" (Red House Records CD110):

    Darling Corey: DADGAD
    Shepherd's Delight: DADGAD capo 5
    Plains of Waterloo: Csus2 - CGCGCD [C9]
    Week Before Easter: Drop D (DADGBE), capo 2
    Prelude: DADGAD
    Santa Cruz: Gsus4over4 - CGDGCD [Gsus4 with C in the bass]
    Rye Whiskey : DADGAD capo 3
    Lord Jamie Douglas : Gsus4 - DGDGCD
    Swannanoa Tunnel : banjo is in Gsus4
    Ramblin Round : Drop D
    Disassembly of God / Swing Low Sweet Chariot : Gsus4over4
    James Connolly : Csus2 - CGCGCD [C9]
    Rose of Allandale : Drop D
     

From "Live in Concert" (Red House Records CD106)

    Dreamtime: DADGAD
    Forgotten the Blues: Open G major (DGDGBD) capoed at 3rd fret
    The Company You Keep: Open G, capoed 3rd fret, key of Bb
    Lord Gregory: Csus2 (CGCGCD) caped 5th fret
     

From "Band of Angels" (Red House Records CD 96):

    Kindness of Strangers: Gsus4 (DGDGCD) Capo 3
    Who'll Water My Flowers: DADGAD
    Raglan Road: Csus2 (CGCGCD) tuned down one whole step, key of Bb
    Lilies of the Field: CGDGAD - Gsus2 (add 9) over 4
    Kevin Carter: Standard tuning, the tricky bastard!
    Le Petit Mercelot / Le Boiteaux: DADGAD played open in the key of A
    Come to Light: Open G(DGDGBD) capo 2
    Erev Shel Shoshanim: Standard
    Lilith: CGDGAD - G add 9 over 4
    How Will I Ever be Simple Again: Open G, capo 3, key of Bb
    Lady of the Lake / Betsy the Serving Maid: G sus4 (see above) capo 5
     

From "Red Roses" (Thunderbird Records):

    Icarus: Csus2 (CGCGCD), capo 3.
     

From "Smoke and Mirrors" (Thunderbird Records):

    Poormouth : Standard Tuning, oh my god!
    See That My Grave is Kept Clean : DADGAD
    Broke Down Engine : Standard
    New Kitchen Blues : Drop D
    Hard Love : Csus2 capo 4 - (CGCGCD) [C9]
    I Want My Crown : Csus2 capo 4
    Will This House Be Blessed : Open G - DGDGBD
    Delia : Drop D capo 3, key of F
    Lock Stock & Barrel : Open G capo 2
    Spoonful : DADGAD
    Me & My Chauffeur : Open G - DGDGBD
    Big Road Blues : Drop D
    Road Kill : DADGAC, or Klingon tuning
    Gone Fishing : Open G - DGDGBD
     

From "A Closer Walk with Thee" (Gourd Records)

Wayfaring Stranger: DADGAD

     

From "When I was on Horseback" (Shanachie Records 97016)

    Pretty Saro / Long Steel Rail : Gsus4over4 - CGDGCD
    Garryowen : DADGAD
    The Keel Row : DADGAD
    Shallow Brown : Csus2 - CGCGCD [C9]
    When I Was On Horseback : Martin says it's most likely CGDGCD-Gsus4/over4 - done way low on a baritone guitar.
    The Shearing's Not For You : Drop D
    Vaughn's Jig: Csus2
    Young Man: CGCFCD [C9sus4]
    Bonny at Morn: DADGAC
    Bob's Song: Csus2 CGCGCD [C9]
    Flower of Sweet Erin the Green: Gsus4over4
    Granuaile: Csus2
     

From "Leaves of Life" (Shanachie Records 97008)

    Lucy Wan : DADGAC
    Banks of the Bann : Drop D
    Leaves of Life : DADGAC
    Lord Gregory: Csus2 (CGCGCD) caped 5th fret
    Jock O'Hazeldean: Drop D
    Streets of Forbes: Standard
    Greenfields of America: Csus2
     

From "Golden Vanity"

    Bitter Withy: Drop D
     

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