Annie laurie – Free Jazz Lead Sheet
C Major – William Douglas 1688
Annie Laurie (1688, traditional) is a Scottish folk ballad. View this free online lead sheet in C major, including melody and chords for jazz and vocal performance.
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Support the projectAbout this song:
Annie Laurie is a traditional Scottish song associated with the poetry of William Douglas from the late 17th century. The song later became widely popular in Scottish and British folk traditions, often performed as a sentimental ballad. Its lyrical melody and simple harmonic movement made it easy to adapt into vocal, classical, and jazz interpretations over time. The piece is closely associated with themes of romantic devotion and nostalgic storytelling in folk music history.
This free online lead sheet presents the melody and chords in C major, making it suitable for jazz vocalists, instrumental soloists, and small ensemble arrangements. Musicians can use it to study lyrical phrasing, ornamentation, and expressive rubato interpretation.
About the composer: William Douglas
William Douglas of Fingland (1672–1760) was a Scottish soldier, poet, and duellist from Dumfriesshire. Known for his volatile temper and swordsmanship, he wrote the famous poem *Annie Laurie* in honor of his love interest Anne Laurie.
Musical strucutre and form
Typically performed in strophic ballad form in C major, the song features a slow lyrical melody, simple harmonic movement, and flexible phrasing that supports expressive vocal or instrumental improvisation.
