Category Archives: Music

2018 “Uketide” Tunes – Part VI

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The sleigh is back in the barn after it was upsot in that tragic snowdrift accident. Today everything slows down to a more reflective pace with a 17th century Christmas carol originating from beautiful Provence, France. The first time I heard Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella was on Mannheim Steamroller’s initial Christmas album. The arrangement was beautiful, and I try here to emulate parts of it on the ukulele.

This is probably the most difficult song I’ve learned this holiday season. The single note melody played on the first verse is easy, but incorporating the chords into the melody on the second verse is challenging:

My understanding is that children in modern Provence carry torches and candles on their way to midnight mass on Christmas Eve while singing carols.

More Christmas ukulele to come as we hit the stretch run to the big day! A 20th century hit is next.

2018 “Uketide” Tunes – Part V

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Rudolph has left the building, presumably to get some rest before the big night. If horses are more to your liking than reindeer get the bells and pull out the sleigh. We’re about to dash through the snow with a song originally intended for the Thanksgiving season. Written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857, Jingle Bells, has become one of the most popular Christmas songs ever. Thought to have been a 19th century drinking tune, it also holds the honor of being the first song played in space — on a harmonica.

We’re just going to play it in our living room with the requisite ukulele and sleigh bells. Lots of sleigh bells. Lisa and Aria are back to help:

Up next, as we inch closer to Christmas, one of my favorite carols. We go back to the 17th century!

2018 “Uketide” Tunes – Part IV

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We go from a song that people either love or hate to one most kids seem to enjoy. It’s also a tune that consistently hangs around the top 10 most played Christmas songs on the radio, according to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers — Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Johnny Marks wrote the song and Gene Autry made it a hit in 1949.

Admittedly, I’m not fond of Rudolph, but my daughter likes it quite a bit so I committed to learning the song. My teacher helped me add some interesting twists that make it fun and a little more challenging to play:

Next time I get the family to join me for a song from 1857.