My Old Kentucky Home is a nostalgic song written by Stephen Foster that reflects on the beauty of Kentucky while also addressing the hardships endured by enslaved people. The song's narrator fondly reminisces about the sights and sounds of Kentucky, including the fields of corn, the birds singing, and the happy days spent there. However, amidst the picturesque scenes, there is a somber acknowledgment of the suffering experienced by enslaved individuals, as evidenced by the line "The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home, 'Tis summer, the darkies are gay." The song serves as both a celebration of the state's natural beauty and a poignant reminder of the injustices of slavery.
Letter notes
B B B G A B C° B C° E° D° C° C° B A G G F G A
A B B G A B C° B C° E° D° C° D° D°# D°# D°# D° C° D°# D° C°
B B B G A B C° B C° E° D° C° B A G G F G A
A B B G A B C° B C° E° D° G A B G C° B A G G
D° B C° E° D° B A G A G E G
G A B B G A B C° B C° E° D° G A B G C° B A A G G
Number notation
7 7 7 5 6 7 1° 7 1° 3° 2° 1° 1° 7 6 5 5 4 5 6
6 7 7 5 6 7 1° 7 1° 3° 2° 1° 2° 2°# 2°# 2°# 2° 1° 2°# 2° 1°
7 7 7 5 6 7 1° 7 1° 3° 2° 1° 7 6 5 5 4 5 6
6 7 7 5 6 7 1° 7 1° 3° 2° 5 6 7 5 1° 7 6 5 5
2° 7 1° 3° 2° 7 6 5 6 5 3 5
5 6 7 7 5 6 7 1° 7 1° 3° 2° 5 6 7 5 1° 7 6 6 5 5
The Only Songbook You'll Ever Need
The fastest way to build confidence and technique is by playing real music, and the Kalimba Songbook is designed for exactly that. This focused collection of 80 clean, easy-to-read kalimba tabs lets beginners and developing players skip long theory sections and start making music immediately, using clear tablature that removes frustration and builds skill naturally. By learning through real songs, reading kalimba notation becomes intuitive, progress feels effortless, and playing becomes far more enjoyable as your confidence grows.
Download the Kalimba Songbook →





