“When the Saints Go Marching In,” often just called “The Saints” or “When the Saints,” needs no introduction. This is good, because its origins are unclear. It’s a Gospel song, an African-American spiritual, and a jazz classic, such is its versatility. I’ve known it to be a campfire song as well.
I hope you enjoy this simple lyre arrangement!
This is a traditional fiddle tune, but even the country of origin is unclear. Some sources say “New England,” which would make it an American tune; others claim it’s English, as in England, United Kingdom. Still others claim it as a Scottish or Irish tune. It’s agreed that the form is a jig, but that’s about it. It’s usually played in the key of D, like many fiddle tunes. Here, I play “Off She Goes” in C, on lyre. I hope you enjoy this cheerful melody!
I wrote this song in June. You can listen to the lyre arrangement with lyrics
here.
Today you’re hearing alto recorder, then lyre and zither played together. The melody is on zither, with accompaniment on lyre. Note the bell-like ringing in this arrangement, made possible by having two sets of strings.
This is the tenth and final piece in my
Double Strung Experiment Series.
The next time you hear mention of double strung something, it will be a harp! I’ve had fun and learned a lot while arranging and playing this series, but I will also be glad to sit in a chair and play! I’ve been sitting cross-legged on the floor to make room for holding the lyre and zither balanced precariously on my lap!
I hope you enjoy this piece, and as always, I appreciate any comments and feedback you want to share!
Thanks, and thank you for listening!
I wrote this piece in 2010, on a small Celtic lap harp on which I took a few lessons. I’ve lost that old harp recording, but you can listen to a ukulele version with lyrics
here.
This piece is also part of my
Zither Review,
as well as the
Lynda Lyre Review
I posted in March.
So, why this piece, and why am I sharing it yet again?
First, it’s a calming melody written especially for healing music sessions, and who doesn’t need more of that? 🙂
Second, this is the ninth in the
Double Strung Experiment Series.
Now you can hear the piece as if it had two voices. That is, the melody is echoed, and two sets of strings put the echo in the same octave, similar to the ukulele version, instead of one being an octave higher than the other.
If this makes your head spin, pay it no mind, and just enjoy listening! You will understand. 🙂
If you’ve read and listened this far, I really appreciate it! I’d also love to know if you have a favorite out of the versions I’ve linked here!
Original song on ukulele, because music is a container for everything!
1. The mind is like a fridge
That’s full of leftover containers.
We’ve got to clean them out sometime;
It’s really a no brainer.
We keep what’s good, throw out what’s bad,
Learn from the happy and the sad,
And turn the rest into the best we can.
2. If we keep keeping all the stuff
In our refrigerator,
It’ll get a little spicy, dicey,
Sooner before later.
Responsible for what we hold,
We must be mindful, daring, bold
And turn the rest into the best we can.
3. There is a Spirit deep inside
That’s waiting on our calling,
For strength that only It provides
To help us when we’re falling.
The mind is deep, the mind is vast!
So let the part that’s everlasting
Turn the rest into the best we can.
We’re not alone, and we’re not done!
Our journey’s only just begun!
So turn the rest into the best we can!
Let Spirit turn the rest into the best we can!
—
Written for Linda G. Hill’s
Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SoCS Prompt: Container.
Thanks for this great prompt, Linda! It’s been a while since I’ve written a song, especially on ukulele!
“Wings of Autumn,” original song on zither. After the poem is the ukulele version with lyrics.
Dear God,
Thank you for the changing seasons!
I’m really glad the pollen count goes down in Fall,
or does it?
We really don’t know anymore,
but you do!
I’m also glad for that!
I’m so grateful for the ability,
the opportunity,
the decision,
and the courage to talk to you!
There are some things I need to say.
I dare not discuss them with my fellow humans,
because everyone is so darn touchy nowadays!
They would think I was talking about them,
when really I’m talking about myself!
Nevertheless, Thy will be done!
Every now and then,
at least once in a blue moon,
would it be too much trouble
to have a day when I’m not sizzling inside like hot lava,
feeling angry at you-know-who (not you, the human I live with),
or worse, making him angry with me
by simply expressing an opinion
that doesn’t match his?
You know
it’s not just the current world crisis
making us this way.
It’s been like this
our entire marriage!
I say that
as if we’ve been married a long time.
But it’s only been 18 months!
And every month,
every week,
every day,
sometimes every hour,
it gets worse and worse!
Is it true what he seems to think,
that marriage means always
and
forever
saying
and
doing
what your partner wants,
just because he thinks it’s best?
And that
doing things this way
promotes harmony
in the relationship?
You’re heaps wiser
than either of us
will ever be!
So, I know
that you know!
Please, God!
Help me know the truth!
Am I insane?
Unreasonable?
Crazy?
Delusional?
Wrong?
Ungrateful?
Argumentative?
And all the other things
he claims?
Am I
really
that
bad?
If I am,
why doesn’t he leave?
After all, he’s the one
with all the money,
whereas I have none!
So, if I were in his place,
living with someone
I thought was so terrible,
I would leave!
Not sit around
complaining about it!
Please, God!
I need help!
And I know
you already know
what I have need of
before I ask!
I call upon your
love,
healing,
wisdom,
creativity,
and humor
(Or is it humour?),
and whatever else you grant me,
not to change anyone else!
But to change me
as you see fit!
Make me like a babbling brook,
always moving merrily along,
never getting stuck or stagnant,
so that I may live a life,
regardless of the people in it,
that is pleasing
to
you
and
you
alone!
Thank you, God,
for your time
and Almighty attention
to this matter!
Yours Truly,
Crystal
—
My response to Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #39, Yours Truly.
Enjoy the song with lyrics
here.
I wrote “Little Boat” last month in response to one of
Sue Vincent’s
weekly #Writephoto prompts. If you haven’t heard the original lyre version, including lyrics, you can find it
here.
Today I’m playing the song on two instruments, melody on zither and accompaniment on lyre. This is the eighth in my series of
double strung experiments.
When I started, I didn’t plan on a series of them, maybe just one or two, to see whether, and if so how, I would handle having two sets of strings to play, with one set for each hand. Well, It’s been a success, and I’ve enjoyed arranging pieces to demonstrate the possibilities offered by this unique stringing. And the series was born!
When I do get a double strung harp at some point, I will record these pieces again, so we can all experience the real McCoy! Until then, I hope you’re enjoying these pieces in which the lyre and zither play at the same time!
Thank you for reading, listening, and leaving your comments and feedback!
Bon voyage!
“Kumbaya,” also spelled “Kum Ba Ya,” is a well-known campfire song. I know I spent many happy Saturday nights around a campfire singing it as a child. Even those who couldn’t sing managed to catch on and make an effort.
No one really knows the song’s origin; in fact, there’s been some controversy surrounding it, as
this article
points out. To me it was, and still is, a common song that I, personally, have used to bring people together.
This is number seven in my
double strung experiments.
You will hear the melody played on zither, which has steel strings, and harmony on the lyre with softer, nylon strings. Notes of the melody and harmony echo each other at times. This is one of the many fascinating effects available on a double strung harp. As usual, it’s easier heard than explained, so I ask that you have a listen, and enjoy this peaceful arrangement!
Even if you’re not of Scottish descent, you’ve probably heard the folk song, “Loch Lomand.” There is also an Irish variant sung to the same tune, but with different lyrics, entitled “Red Is the Rose.” It’s a beautiful and recognizable melody, and I hope you enjoy hearing it on lyre!
Also known as “All the Pretty Little Horses,” the origin of this American folk song is unknown. This arrangement is based on one by Aaron Copland.
This is the sixth in my series of
double strung experiments,
playing lyre and zither at the same time. You will hear the accompaniment weaving around the melody, without stopping it. Having two separate sets of strings, one for each hand, makes this possible.
I hope you enjoy this haunting lullaby!
Mystical Strings 
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