Category Archives: Uncategorized

“The Friendly Beasts” #Christmas #Music

Posted on by

Download Mp3

“The Friendly Beasts” is a traditional Christmas song. Though some sources say it’s an english carol, the melody is actually French. It’s the 12th-century melody of the Latin song, “”Orientis Partibus”. Robert Davis wrote the current English lyrics in the 1920’s.

In my arrangement, the donkey is represented by zither. Viola represents the cow. The doves are represented by melody and harmony on alto recorder, and the sheep is represented by lyre. In addition, verses 3 and 4 (cow and doves) are accompanied by ukulele.

I hope you enjoy this touching Christmas song!

There’s still time to participate in my
Holiday Blogging Party!
Click the link to learn how!

“The Holly and the Ivy” Bonus DSE #Christmas #Music

Posted on by

Download Mp3

“The Holly and the Ivy” is a traditional British folk Christmas carol. However, it is more popular in the United States than in England. Though the song can only be traced as far as the early 19th century, the association of holly with Christmas dates back as far as Medieval times, if not earlier. The carol varied throughout traditional communities, and the standardized version we know today was first published in 1909, in a folk song collection by Cecil Sharp.

This is another double strung experiment, where I play lyre and zither at the same time. I.e. the instruments are not mixed, but are played together in real-time. In my last
double strung experiment post,
I said the next time you heard something with 2 rows of strings, it would be a real double strung harp. However, the harp won’t arrive until sometime next year (hopefully), and I really wanted to play something for Christmas. Ever since the first time I heard a double strung harp, with its ringing sound, I thought it would be especially beautiful at Christmastime.

I hope you enjoy “The Holly and the Ivy” on lyre and zither! I know I’ve enjoyed playing it!

There’s still time to participate in my
Holiday Blogging Party!
Click the link to learn how!

“O Come, Little Children” #Advent #Music

Posted on by

Download Mp3

“Ihr Kinderlein, Kommet” is a traditional German Christmas carol, published in 1811. Christoph von Schmid wrote the German lyrics in 1798, and they were set to Johann Abraham Peter Schulz’s 1794 melody. You can find one English translation
here.

I hope you enjoy this carol played on lyre, viola, and Oriole soprano recorder with melody and harmony!

This post is part of my Holiday Blogging Party. You’re also invited to participate!
Click here to learn how!

Two #Hanukkah Songs #Chanukah #Music

Posted on by

Download Mp3

The Jewish Festival of Lights begins tonight! In the spirit of celebration and friendship, I offer you two Hanukkah songs played on zither and viola.

The first is “Chanukah.” I couldn’t find out who wrote these lyrics and music; so, please share if you know! It’s the 10th song on
this page,
under the “Chanukah” heading.

The second is “I Have a Little Dreidel,” also known by many other names! It is so popular that even non-Jewish people recognize it. Though I’m not Jewish, I have played Dreidel with Jewish friends during Hanukkah, and won some chocolate gelt, too! You know, those foil-covered chocolate coins that often come in a mesh bag and bring the promise of sweetness! You can read more about this fun and popular song
here.

You can also listen to the
First Night Chanukah Blessings
I recorded with ukulele last year.

I wish everyone who is celebrating a happy, blessed, sweet, and joyous Hanukkah/Chanukah! Gotta love those latkes! 😀

This post is part of my Holiday Blogging Party.
You’re invited!
Please click the link, and participate as much as you like!