The Mighty Ship – The Housemartins [..with tab]

The Mighty Ship seems to crop up on a regular basis on TV, Radio, at training seminars and on line, the same way that Groovin’ With Mr. Bloe does. It is a rare ‘good time’ harmonica instrumental. As a resident Brightonian, nay Hovite, the fact that The Housemartins‘ bassman (Norman Cook alias Fat Boy Slim) is an extremely close neighbour geographically, and former sponsor of The Albion through Skint Records, makes this tune all the more poignant.

At the Harp Surgery, we will forever remain convinced that The Mighty Ship is a secret Groovin’ With Mr. Bloe derivative, principally because of the common ‘sweet notes’ produced in the scooped 4 draw bend and straight 4 blow. The decision, as they say, is yours….

Tab

Grab a C diatonic. Here’s the tab for The Mighty Ship from The Housemartins. It was B side to Happy Hour, released in May 1986 and harped by Paul Heaton. Try it out! Give it large and catch those side notes along the way. But enjoy it and tell ALL your friends! It’s a good time toon. Harp on…….! (Numbers in bold indicate scooped notes).

C major diatonic, 1st position

….4D 4D 4D 4B

2D 5D 5B 4D 4B

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B 4D 4D

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B

2D 5D 5B 4D 4B

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B 4D 4D

5D-6D 5D-6D 5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B

5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B

5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B 5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B 4D-5D

5D-6D 5D-6D 5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B

5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B

5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D

5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4D-5D

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B

2D 5D-6D 5B 4D 4B

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B 4D 4D

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B

2D 5D 5B 4D 4B

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B 4D 4D

5D-6D 5D-6D 5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B

5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B

5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B 5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B 4D-5D

5D-6D 5D-6D 5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B

5D-6D 5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B

5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B 5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B 4D-5D

5D-6D 5B-6B 4D-5D 4B-5B 4B-5B

Pause

….4D 4D 4D 4B

2D 5D-6D 5B 4D 4B

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B 4D 4D

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B

2D 5D-6D 5B 4D 4B

4D 4D 4D 4D 4B 4D 4D

5D 5B 4D 4B 4B-5B