Category Archives: Music

2019 “Uketide” Tunes – Part I

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“Uketide” Tunes is back for the holly jolly season! Aria and I are talking about songs to do together, but I’m also performing a few solo pieces. I’m not sure about a release schedule so check back regularly throughout December. Ugly sweaters are promised at some point.

Let’s get started! A favorite Christmas hymn of mine is the 19th century Irish carol, The Snow Lay on the Ground, which paints the scene of the Christ Child’s birth in a Bethlehem manger. Why there is snow on the ground in a Mediterranean climate I don’t know, but the snow is only mentioned once. It is the repeating Latin chorus that is most notable: Venite adoremus Dominum. Translated: Come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. This is also the refrain in O Come, All Ye Faithful.

The melody line for The Snow Lay on the Ground  is uncomplicated, and while I start playing simply, there are embellishments and chord additions throughout the song that make it more interesting. The carol has four verses, but I play it slightly differently through two:

An American song, with Aria, is next!

Tales of the Uke – Part Nine

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The repertoire is building into a full set list! Today we go from Hawaii to Elvis Presley, though this song is from his Blue Hawaii movie. (Fun fact: Angela Lansbury played his mother in the film when she was 35.) The song is Can’t Help Falling in Love. It was released in 1961 and went to number two on the Billboard  Hot 100. It was a concert staple for Elvis through the years and the last song he performed at his final show in June 1977, but in the movie his character sang it to his girlfriend’s grandmother on the latter’s birthday.

I’m not an Elvis fan, but Trevor suggested I learn this tune, taking advantage of the low G string on my new Kala. Can’t Help Falling in Love is a simple, pretty song:

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can’t help falling in love with you
For I can’t help falling in love with you

It sounds great with the bass from the low G. The new Kala finally makes its debut on Tales of the Uke:

While I’ve also been working on a Beatles song, I’m starting the transition to Christmas music in preparation for the holidays and have been asked to perform in the music school’s holiday recital. Trevor would like to have something different musically at the show than multiple versions of Jingle Bells on the piano! Busy time…

Tales of the Uke – Part Eight

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On the latest journey with my ukulele, we go from America to what used to be a sovereign nation itself, the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii has a complicated history, and while I won’t do a deep dive here, it’s enough to say that the United States was actively involved in overthrowing the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, abolishing the country’s monarchy and deposing Queen Liliʻuokalani. To this day, she is a beloved figure in the islands.

Lili’uokalani was also a prolific composer, writing more than 150 songs during her lifetime. While still a princess she composed her most famous song, Aloha ‘Oe, which translates to Farewell to Thee. It’s about two lovers departing, which she wrote in 1878. The song took on special meaning after the monarchy was toppled — grief over the loss of country — and remains poignant today. A look at the lyrics:

Hawaiian:

Haʻaheo e ka ua i nā pali
Ke nihi aʻela i ka nahele
E uhai ana paha i ka liko
Pua ʻāhihi lehua o uka

Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace
A hoʻi aʻe au
Until we meet again

English:

Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs
As it glided through the trees
Still following with grief the liko
The `ahihi lehua of the vale

Farewell to thee, farewell to thee
The charming one who dwells among the bowers
One fond embrace
Before I now depart
Until we meet again

For the video I added an introduction and repeated the refrain at the end. Instead of using my new Kala ukulele with the low G, I played the Islander, which has the traditional high G string. It felt a little more authentic with the brighter tone:

Beautiful song. If you thought you heard reverb, you are correct. I added just a touch in post-production to make my carpeted office sound a little more live.

Next up…an Elvis song!