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It has been a while. The summer is finally giving way to the fall, which is awesome. This, of course, means a return to more regular life. I love regular life... While I have been working for most of the past few months, the church has been rather quiet. This is (hopefully!) about to change, Therefore, in honor of "Kickoff Sunday," I am using this song as a musical "reading" whether we get to actually play and sing it is up in the air a bit--there is a plague on you know--but it certainly fits how I am feeling these days. Last year was a whole damn lot and anyone who got through it has endured indeed. Ola Belle Reed is a forgotten national treasure. Her lyrical style is in the great "Old Time" (or traditional folk) tradition. Each word is simple enough to carry the weight in this song of both mourning and celebration. You should check her out. Over the years this song has become a bluegrass standard, used as a structure upon which to hang some truly fabulous solos. This is just me. Pay attention to the words and see if you feel something... I am not playing a uke here, perhaps obviously. My relatively new off-hand weapon is the tenor banjo, an instrument designed in the 1920's and '30's as a rhythm instrument for jazz and other forms that use horns. This banjo is LOUD and the three usual tunings either mimic the intervals of the mandolin/fiddle or the guitar, with "standard" tuning being that if the mandola/viola. I am using "Irish" tuning, like the mandolin (what I usually play) but an octave lower.
One theory of how "tenor" got into it's name is as an alteration of "tango banjo"...but it is hard to think of any banjo in tango music. Today it is popular in jazz, old time and Irish trad forms among others...but NOT bluegrass where the 5 string reigns. The tenor banjo is usually played with a pick which alters how it is heard. There aren't any complicated rolls for example. I bought it because of the plague...and because I turned 50, Just like Ola in the song. Anyway, I am playing it in D. It mostly alternates between D and G (the I and IV) with a brief foray into an A chord (the V) at the word "one" in the chorus. I’ve Endured David Reed/ Ola Belle Reed Born in the mountains fifty years ago I’ve trod the hills and valleys through the rain and snow Seen the lightning flashing, I've heard the thunder roll I’ve endured, I’ve endured, How long must one endure Barefoot in the summer on into the fall Too many mouths to feed, they couldn’t clothe them all Went to church on Sunday to learn the golden rule I’ve endured, I’ve endured, How long must one endure I’ve worked for the rich, I’ve lived with the poor I’ve seen many a heartache, there I’ll see many more I’ve lived, loved and sorrowed, been to success’ door I’ve endured, I’ve endured, How long must one endure
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Sorry I haven't posted much in Year of Uke (or elsewhere, actually). The reason has been that I am super-busy with the sorts of things we are all super-busy with. The holidays are, of course, a big part of my job and then--just when I was going to get back to regular playing and posting--I needed to respond to the insurrection, Part of a preacher's job is taking one's place on the front lines in the "War of Ideas". As a progressive Christian, I try to respond to major events like the near-theft of an election and the violent aftermath of that attempt. Right now we are witnessing the continued rise of white supremacist ideology. By speaking out against this ideology, I hope to equip others to do so as well.. Anyway, you can find my sermons in the "Sermon Roll" on this site. I am not preaching this week so I took the time to cut a new "Amazing Grace" to be used as a hymn. The other one featured just me and my mandolin. It was a bit slow, too. This one has me on the mando. Interestingly enough, the A-Style" mandolin is frequently confused with an ukulele by casual observers. This is probably because it is rather small and plays in a similar range. The vid does have a uke in it, though. It is played by my son, Conor, who is social-distancing with the fam. Conor graduated in the spring from college as a History/Music major and mostly--musically, that is--plays the trumpet. You can see us both much younger in the previous Year of Uke vid. He was just in middle school then... Anyway, this is a song that most of us know. There are a number of stories around it that are in dispute. What is definitely true is that it spent its long life as an Abolitionist and Civil Rights anthem. The progressive church is not a new thing, after all! We are singing it this Sunday--MLK Sunday--as a congregation for this reason. These days I mostly wish we had progressed much farther than we have as a society. There are many different verses to this tune. Here are the ones frequently described as the "original" words. In the video we sing verses 1-3 and then the last one... Amazing Grace (Original Words) John Newton pub. 1779 Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine. One of the great things about the uke is that we can pick up the basics quickly. Being able to do that means we can play with others quickly! I have always enjoyed the communal element of music and miss it now that we to have to play alone as we wait for...all the things we are waiting for. Thankfully I have a lot of videos like this one to take me back. One of the great things about the holidays is the chance to remember the good times, whenever they were. This is one of those good times. Here I am with my oldest back in 2013 playing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. He is now a college grad (Music and History) and works as a farmhand. Like many people in his situation he lives at home and I see him every day. He still plays the uke, which sometimes makes me think of the good old days when we used to play together frequently.. He also plays his trumpet--his main instrument--daily as he keeps his chops up and waits for the Great Unpleasantness to end. Then I remember how loud a trumpet can be in an enclosed space. Anyway, I am in the midst of prep for multiple church Advent events so I am just going to leave this here. Honestly I don't remember what chords we used anyway. The words are easily googled... We made it to number 10! Here is one of my favorite carols. We started playing this in church years ago and there are a few versions of us singing online. The problem is that apparently I have trouble carrying this tune. They are good memories still, and I can't wait to mess it up again in church some time! Here are the lyrics and chords... Once In Royal David s City chords H. Gauntlett / C. Alexander 1849 G C D7 G Once in royal David s city, Em D7 G Stood a lowly cattle shed D G C DG Where a mother laid her Baby, Em D7 G in a manger for His bed C G Am* G Mary was that mother mild, C G D G Jesus Christ, her little Child. G C D7 G He came down to earth from heaven, Em D7 G who is God and Lord of all D G C DG And His shelter was a stable, Em D7 G and His cradle was a stall C G Am* G With the poor, and mean, and lowly, C G D G lived on earth our Savior holy. G C D7 G For He is our childhood's pattern; Em D7 G day by day, like us, He grew D G C D G He was little, weak, and helpless, Em D7 G tears and smiles, like us He knew C G Am* G And He careth for our sadness C G D G and he shareth in our gladness G C D7 G And our eyes at last shall see Him, Em D7 G through His own redeeming love D G C D G For that Child so dear and gentle, Em D7 G is our Lord in heaven above C G Am* G And He leads His children on, C G D G to the place where He is gone. Every year for the past decade or so we have gone caroling with the church. We started at the local hospital and more recently sang at a local nursing home. It has been super fun! I hope that the residents and patients have enjoyed our time together during the season. It has been a highlight of the church holiday schedule. I haven't been to that nursing home in some time. They have been playing it safe with the virus and totally support them in that...but it is strange. For a decade-and-a-half I officiated protestant worship there once a month and played my uke from time to time both in worship and as a sort of side "concert' in the rec room. I miss it. I actually try NOT to play uke at the carol-sing. I have other stuff going on and there are plenty of people who can play instead. The last few years, though, I have found myself with the ukesters. Part of the reason is that we sometimes need to rotate through to rest our hands and wrists. Another is that many of the jazz standards that comprise the 20th Century's best holiday songs are...well...jazzy and hard to play. I usually sound bad when I play them but no one notices because we are singing super loud. Imagine that as I struggle through this rendition of Winter Wonderland... Here it is! It is worth noting that I put the capo on the second fret for singing purposes... Winter Wonderland C Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin' G In the lane, snow is glistening G F Em Dm A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight D7 G C Walking in a Winter Wonderland. C Gone away is the blue bird G Here to stay is a new bird G F Em Dm He sings a love song, as we go along D7 G C Walking in a Winter Wonderland E A E In the meadow we can build a snowman E A E Then pretend that he is Parson Brown G C He'll say "Are you married?", G We'll say "No man”, D But you can do the job G7 when you're in town." C Later on, we'll conspire G As we dream by the fire G F To face unafraid, Em Dm The plans that we’ve made D7 G C Walking in a Winter Wonderland It is Advent! This is my favorite season. No doubt I will write more about that elsewhere. At this point, suffice it to say that what I enjoy the most is the anticipation. This song, for me, encapsulates the Advent season. It is a time of waiting, after all. The uke is well suited for this song for some reason. My belief is that it has to do with the stripped-down aesthetic of the tune and the haunting minor keyness of it all. It is haunting for a reason. The song is set before the Christmas story when rejoicing is still a hope rather than a reality. This year I--at least--feel that a bit more. The video fills the "Year of Uke" parameters with me (with pre-pandemic & pre-surgery hair) playing the uke and--along with Lee Manuel--leading the congregation. Here is what I suspect is the version we played... O Come O Come Emmanuel 13th Century Latin plainsong Text Transl. John M Neale and Henry Coffin (Verse 1) Em Am D Em O come, O come, Emmanuel G Am Em And ransom captive Israel Am G D That mourns in lonely exile here Em Am D G Until the Son of God appear (Chorus) D Bm Am Em Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel G Am Em Shall come to thee O Israel (Verse 2) Em Am D Em O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer G Am Em Our spirits by Thine advent here Am G D Disperse the gloomy clouds of night Em Am D G And death's dark shadows put to flight (Chorus) (Verse 3) Em Am D Em O come thou Wisdom from on high G Am Em And order all things far and nigh Am G D To us the path of knowledge show Em Am D G And cause us in her ways to go (Chorus) (Verse 4) Em Am D Em O come, Desire of nations, bind G Am Em All people in one heart and mind Am G D Bid envy strife and quarrels cease Em Am D G Fill all the world with heaven's peace (Chorus) I don't usually permit my job to bleed into my ukeness too much but--since I need to do a make-up uke, I am going to now! #7 is "Old 100" and this clip includes a reading of the 100th psalm and a little bit from my sermon where I talk about the tune a bit. It ends abruptly because my sermon is elsewhere! In the video I only play the first verse but the others are easily searched on the interwebs. Here is that first verse with the chords: D G A D All people that on earth do dwell, G D A Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. G A D Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell; G A G D Come ye before Him and rejoice.¨ Hey Folks, I am catching up with a hastily recorded version of "Leaving Liverpool". This has a fun sea shanty feel and a very sing-able chorus. As per usual there are lots of verses. The chord progression for the verses is D/G/D/A/D/G/D/A/D Basically think "DG Dad" twice and you get to the end. the chord progression for the chorus is A/G/D/A/D/G/D/A/D so if you put an "AGDA" before your "DG Dad" you will be fine. ;-) Oh fare the well my own true love I am sailing far far away I am bound for California And I don't know if I'll ever come again Chorus: So fare the well my own true love When I return united we will be It's not the leaving of Liverpool that's grieving me But my darling, when I think of thee Fare well to Lower Bedford Street Anson Terrace and Park Lane I am bound away for to leave you But I don't know if I'll ever come again Chorus I have sailed with Burgess once before He is a man that I know quite well If a man is a sailor he'll get along But if not then he is sure for Hell Chorus Oh the sun is in the harbor love And you know that I can't remain And I know it will be a long, long year Before I see you again Chorus ...The life of a Pastor--much like everyone's lives these days--is a busy one and I found myself slipping behind in my Year of Uke! We cannot have that. This is a classic folk song that has been covered by everyone and so you should cover it too. Hey! I didn't forget. I am just a day behind! Here is Michael Row the Boat Ashore, played a bit faster that normal. The chords are easy; C, F, C, Em, F CGC. The first verse/chorus that can be thrown in every other time or a bunch of times is, of course, "Michael Row the Boat Ashore alleluia/Michael Row the Boat Ashore Alleluia! The send verse keeps the same structure my repeating the line twice with "Sister helps to trim the sail." The next two use more words: "River Jordan is chilly and cold/chills the body but not the soul" Then, "River Jordan is deep and wide, milk and honey on the other side" Or you can reverse them...it doesn't matter. Then you can go google Bobby Darrin's versions... |
AuthorI play a number of musical instruments. In addition to the ukulele I play the mandolin, guitar, rhythm bones, and a few other things. This page, though, is about my uke project. I recently decided to post once a week on a uke-themed topic. Most of these posts will be simple songs you can sing along to. Maybe later I will do more informational videos as well. Archives
August 2021
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