Tag Archives: Christmas songs

2018 “Uketide” Tunes – Part VII

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From France we go to the United States and another Johnny Marks Christmas hit. A Holly Jolly Christmas was featured in the 1964 television show, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was sung by Sam the Snowman. That character was voiced by Burl Ives, who re-recorded the song a year later for his own Christmas album — the version we hear on the radio during the holiday season.

There are a lot of different chords that can be added to the melody line when playing this on the ukulele. It’s a really challenging song to learn, especially for a beginner:

I’ve commissioned the family for the grand finale of the 2018 Uketide Tunes concert. We’re going on vacation for this one!

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!