Category Archives: Ukulele Arrangements

Mozart Symphony No. 40 Opening Theme for Ukulele Tablature

A new instrumental arrangement of Mozart’s famous tune for Ukulele.

Level 2 (free for all at UkulelePlay.com) = Simple, melody-only tablature with some pull-offs for expression.

Symphony-No-40-Level-2-Ukulele-TablatureDownload

Level 3 (patron-exclusive) – An intermediate arrangement that combines the expressive pull-offs with chords and figured accompaniment (see example above).

Besides the PDFs for the melody (which can stand alone) and the duet part, members at https://www.patreon.com/uke have access to the source files for Musescore (a free notation program). These are useful for anyone that would like to edit the music, make their own arrangement or take advantage of file playback. I talk a bit about this software at http://ukuleleplay.com/making-ukulele-tabs-with-musescore-free-template/ 

Patrons have access to a large and growing library of ukulele sheet music, so make a pledge today at https://www.patreon.com/uke and support further posts, arrangements and videos. Thanks!

A Little Night Music (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik) Ukulele Tablature

A new instrumental arrangement of Mozart’s famous tune for Ukulele.

Level 2 (free for all at UkulelePlay.com) = Simple, melody-only tablature with some pull-offs and fast passages.

A Little Night Music – Level 2Download

Duet Part (patron-exclusive) = This part for a second player supports the first with harmony notes and figured accompaniment.

Besides the PDFs for the melody (which can stand alone) and the duet part, members at https://www.patreon.com/uke have access to the source files for Musescore (a free notation program). These are useful for anyone that would like to edit the music or make their own arrangement. I talk a bit about this software at http://ukuleleplay.com/making-ukulele-tabs-with-musescore-free-template/ 

Patrons have access to a large and growing library of ukulele sheet music, so make a pledge today at https://www.patreon.com/uke and support further posts, arrangements and videos. Thanks!

Amazing Grace Ukulele Tabs

Two new arrangements of Amazing Grace for Ukulele.

Level 1 (free for all) = Simple, melody-only tablature for those beginning to read instrumental tablature.

Amazing Grace Level 1Download

Level 2 (patron-exclusive) = A more full arrangement in ‘root position’ using common chord shapes to accompany the melody.

Besides the PDFs for both arrangements, members at https://www.patreon.com/uke have access to the source files for Musescore (a free notation program). These are useful for anyone that would like to edit the music or make their own arrangement. I talk a bit about this software at http://ukuleleplay.com/making-ukulele-tabs-with-musescore-free-template/ 

Patrons have access to a large and growing library of ukulele sheet music, so make a pledge today at https://www.patreon.com/uke and support further posts, arrangements and videos. Thanks!

The Apple Tree Wassail : 2-Chord Carols

What I Love About this Carol

Quite simply, I love the joyous ridiculousness of this wassail tune … the very thought of walking out to your apple trees in the middle of winter, spreading some good cider on their roots, and singing a boisterous song to them (all to bring in a bountiful harvest the next season) puts a bemused smirk on my face and cheers my heart. You don’t have to have apple trees to enjoy a sip of homemade wassail and singing with friends.

Find performances & tutorials for all 34 songs in the 2-Chord Christmas Songbook (tutorials cover song melodies, lyrics, transposition, chords, strumming and fingerpicking) at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa626nR993OyV00-C0Yl23SnpLlZce8Wk … get printed copies of the book from https://amzn.to/2qWY42H … free pdf of the book for members at https://www.patreon.com/uke

New Arrangements for Ukulele Orchestra (A View to a Kill, Axel F, Back to the Future)

New music for Ukulele Orchestra / Ensemble arranged for the 2020 Original Utah Uke Fest, which will be themed Back to the ’80s.

Join the Happy Valley Ukes at https://www.patreon.com/uke or get the arrangements on Sheet Music Plus for your own ukulele ensemble.

Demo Videos

Love Shack for 3 or More Ukuleles, Vocals & Opt. Bass

Find more music for ukulele ensembles at http://ukuleleplay.com/for-ukulele-ensembles/

What a Wonderful World with ‘up the neck’ chord diagrams

blue-planet-earth-globe-41953A new arrangement of the song IZ made a ukulele classic, now available on Sheet Music Plus.

What Sweeter Music? for Renaissance Guitar (or Ukulele)

  • What Sweeter MusicWhat Sweeter Music? : A new setting of Robert Herrick’s poem for Voice & Renaissance Guitar (opt. Ukulele)

WHAT sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our Heavenly King?
Awake the voice! awake the string!
Heart, ear, and eye, and everything
Awake! the while the active finger
Runs division with the singer.

View a performance at https://www.facebook.com/uke.n.me/videos/732443843809213/

Peace I Leave With You

As a teenager, I wrote a choral version of this text that has stuck with me all these years. At times of stress I have fallen back on this text many times and the melody I wrote all those years back comes readily to mind. I long wanted a solo version of this and eventually put one together. The flute part on here was originally written for a penny whistle, and so has a very moderate range. I also transcribed it for clarinet, as I have a clarinet wielding friend.

Even More Music for Ukulele Ensembles

Visit For Ukulele Ensembles for the full list of pieces for Ukulele Ensembles.

Finally! New Music for Ukulele Ensembles

I’ve been stockpiling (quite unintentionally) a number of new arrangements for ukulele ensemble … I get them written for my group, The Happy Valley Ukes, and then never get around to posting them on the website. I can only plead the warcry of our day, “I’m so busy!” Anyway, here they are (links to Sheet Music Plus):

Find these and more arrangements on the For Ukulele Ensembles page of this site.

Bible Camp Songs for Ukulele

music-1781580_640This past Summer I was asked to teach ukulele as part of an Arts Camp at a local church. Once I was assigned the songs to teach, I formatted the music and changed the keys to make it all ukulele friendly. Here’s a free PDF:

Included songs are:

  • All Night, All Day
  • Zion’s Children
  • Go Now in Peace
  • Little David, Play on Your Harp
  • Michael, Row the Boat Ashore
  • Rise & Shine

Enjoy!

We Three Kings

A new arrangement of the classic Christmas / Epiphany carol:

  • We Three Kings : Vocal TRIO with chord voicings & fingerpicking instructions for one or more ukuleles

You can find more Christmas music for Ukulele groups, orchestras and ensembles at http://ukuleleplay.com/for-ukulele-ensembles/

Adoration_of_the_Magi_Tapestry_detail

Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam (Calypso)

6/8 songs adapt really easily to a Calypso-style 4/4. Except for a couple of spots, I would rate this one as very easy. Enjoy!

Listen to the 6/8 version at LDS.org.

Lyrics
1. Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for him each day;
In ev’ry way try to please him,
At home, at school, at play.

2. Jesus wants me to be loving
And kind to all I see,
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.

Chorus
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I’ll be a sunbeam for him.

Words: Nellie Talbot
Music: Edwin O. Excell, 1851-1921

Jesus Once Was a Little Child : Tablature – Vocal – Chords

This lovely little children’s primary song pulled at my heartstrings when I was 5 and still does today. You can listen to a piano version of the tune on LDS.org’s music site. Enjoy!

Lyrics
1. — Jesus once was a little child,
A little child like me;
And he was pure and meek and mild,
As a little child should be.
So, little children,
Let’s you and I
Try to be like him,
Try, try, try.

2. He played as little children play
The pleasant games of youth;
But he never got vexed if the game went wrong,
And he always spoke the truth.
So, little children,
Let’s you and I
Try to be like him,
Try, try, try.

Words: James R. Murray, 1841–1905
Music: Joseph Ballantyne, 1868–1944

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus : Tablature – Vocal – Chords

A beloved ‘primary’ song arranged for solo ukulele, or with vocals and chords (duet or trio). You can see/listen to piano sheet music in the key of Bb at Tell Me the Stories of Jesus at LDS.org

1. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear,
Things I would ask him to tell me if he were here.
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

2. Oh, let me hear how the children stood round his knee.
I shall imagine his blessings resting on me;
Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
All in the love-light of Jesus’ face.

3. Tell me, in accents of wonder, how rolled the sea,
Tossing the boat in a tempest on Galilee!
And how the Master, ready and kind,
Chided the billows and hushed the wind.

Words: W. H. Parker, 1845–1929
Music: Frederic A. Challinor, 1866–1952
Arr.: M. Ryan Taylor

A one-year Curriculum for Teaching beginning Ukulele in the Classroom

https://youtu.be/3F9dGuMXBa0

123 Preview 1NEW! 123 Ukulele Play! : a curriculum for ukulele in the classroom
also on Teachers Pay Teachers and on Amazon. Find AUDIO here.

123 Ukulele Play! offers a step-by-step learning program for ukulele using developmental principles one might find in a Kodaly-based program, only with ukulele as a springboard for student enthusiasm. 73 songs are included in the student manual along with 48 lesson plans to help guide you through the process of teaching them. Also included are individual MP3 files for each of the songs, chord charts for the students as well as large chord charts to print and hang up on the walls.

123 Preview 2After the basics and Christmas units (secular alternates are included for any religious songs), classical masterworks are interspersed with units on New Years Goals, Americana (for President’s Day), Irish Dance and finally a trip around the world to various island nations (Japan, Tonga, Australia), ending with Hawaiian songs as a nod to the instrument’s birthplace.

123 Preview 3About the author: M. Ryan Taylor is the author of a number of ukulele books aimed at beginning players, including Two Chord Camp Songs for Ukulele, The Two Chord Companion, Two Chord Christmas Songs, Christmas on 34th Street and more that you can find on UkulelePlay.com. He is a Kodaly-certified developmental education specialist and has worked with elementary-age children as the director of the American Fork Children’s Choir since 2010. He also directs the Happy Valley Ukes, an adult community ukulele orchestra, and organizes The Original Utah Uke Fest, a full day of free concerts, open mics, workshops and more that promotes the guitar’s tiny cousin. Taylor also travels to teach Ukulele Bootcamps wherever the wind might blow him. Catch him singing at https://www.facebook.com/uke.n.me/ or http://ukuleleplay.com/uke-and-me/ or even https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI-yslLxG-k&list=PLr6L7Q-AOghUzk4-VnmQku_-UISAgSfXO

123 Ukulele Play

12 Carols of Christmastime : Lyrics/Chords & Video

VIDEOS

All 12 Carols in one video on Facebook (opens in new window), or All 12 Carols in separate videos in a YouTube playlist (opens in new window), or watch here:

ABOUT THE CAROLS

These carols were selected and adapted from my two ukulele Christmas books, The Two Chord Christmas Songbook and Christmas on 34th Street. They were chosen firstly on their merit as great carols, secondly as fairly well-known songs of the season and thirdly to offer good variety in a set that makes sense for performing/caroling. The order of the songs may seem random, but they are placed so that no two songs are in the same key in a row and the carols alternate between slow and fast-paced tunes. None of the carols has more than 4 chords and a number have only 2, which makes them ideal for beginners. You need only add a bit of interesting strumming/fingerpicking or some chord inversions to keep intermediate and advancing players interested. I’ve posted the lyrics/chords below.

I created the videos as teaching aids for my students and we’re planning a carol sing & strum mid-December for which I created the lyric/chord charts. I thought the material might be of use to others, so here it is! Merry Christmas! and Happy Caroling!

LYRICS/CHORDS

HE IS BORN

CHORUS
[F]He is born, the divine Christ Child,
Loud let us sing to [C7]greet His coming;
[F]He is born, the divine Christ Child,
Sound the pipes, let the [C7]trumpets [F]play.

1. [F]We have waited a [C7]thousand [F]years
Since the prophets’ [C7]first foretelling;
[F]We have waited a [C7]thousand [F]years,
Hail, our new-born [C7]Lord this day. [CHORUS]

2. [F]How the light a[C7]bout Him [F]shines,
round this perfect [C7]child of heaven!
[F]How the light a[C7]bout Him [F]shines,
Sweetly casting [C7]fear away. [CHORUS]

3. [F]Starlit is His [C7]humble [F]crib,
Ox and ass be[C7]side Him sleeping;
[F]Starlit is His [C7]humble [F]crib,
See His throne, a [C7]bed of hay. [CHORUS]
_______

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

What [Dm]child is this, who, [C]laid to rest,
On [Dm]Mary’s lap is [A7]sleeping?
Whom [Dm]angels greet with [C]anthems sweet
While [Dm]shepherds [A7]watch are [Dm]keeping?
[F]This, this is [C]Christ the king,
Whom [Dm]shepherds guard and [A7]angels sing;
[F]Haste, haste to [C]bring him laud,
The [Dm]Babe, the [A7]Son of [Dm]Mary!

So [Dm]bring him incense, [C]gold, and myrrh;
Come, [Dm]peasant, king, to [A7]own him.
The [Dm]King of kings sal[C]vation brings;
Let [Dm]loving [A7]hearts en[Dm]throne him.
[F]Raise, raise the [C]song on high,
The [Dm]virgin sings her [A7]lullaby;
[F]Joy, joy, for [C]Christ is born,
The [Dm]Babe, the [A7]Son of [Dm]Mary!
_______

O CHRISTMAS TREE

O [F]Christmas Tree, [C7]O [F]Christmas [Dm]Tree,
How [C7]steadfast are your [F]branches! :||
Your [F]boughs are green in [C7]summer’s clime
And through the snows of [F]wintertime.
O [F]Christmas Tree, [C7]O [F]Christmas [Dm]Tree,
How [C7]steadfast are your [F]branches!

O [F]Christmas Tree, [C7]O [F]Christmas [Dm]Tree,
What [C7]happiness be[F]falls me! :||
When [F]oft you’ve given [C7]us delight
In brightly shining [F]Christmas light!
O [F]Christmas Tree, [C7]O [F]Christmas [Dm]Tree,
What [C7]happiness be[F]falls me!

O [F]Christmas Tree, [C7]O [F]Christmas [Dm]Tree,
Your [C7]boughs have truly [F]taught me; :||
That [F]hope and love will [C7]ever be
The way to joy and [F]peace for me.
O [F]Christmas Tree, [C7]O [F]Christmas [Dm]Tree,
Your [C7]boughs have truly [F]taught me.
_______

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

CHORUS
[G]Go, tell it on the mountain
[D]Over the hills and [G]every[C]where
[G]Go, tell it on the mountain
[C6]That [G]Jesus [D7]Christ is [G]born.

1. While [G]shepherds [C]kept their [G]watching
O’er [D7]silent flocks by [G]night,
Be[G]hold through[C]out the [G]heavens
There [D]shone a [C]holy [D]light. [D7] [CHORUS]

2. The [G]shepherds [C]feared and [G]trembled
When [D7]lo above the [G]earth
Rang [G]out the [C]angel [G]CHORUS
That [D]hailed our [C]Savior’s [D]birth; [D7] [CHORUS]

3. Down [G]in a [C]lowly [G]manger
The [D7]humble Christ was [G]born;
And [G]God sent [C]out sal[G]vation
That [D]blessed [C]Christmas [D]morn. [D7] [CHORUS]
_______

I SAW THREE SHIPS

I [F]saw three [C7]ships come [F]sailing [C7]in
On [F]Christmas Day, on [C7]Christmas Day;
I [F]saw three [C7]ships come [F]sailing [C7]in
On [F]Christmas Day in the [C7]morn[F]ing.

And [F]what was [C7]in those [F]ships all [C7]three,
On [F]Christmas Day, on [C7]Christmas Day?
And [F]what was [C7]in those [F]ships all [C7]three,
On [F]Christmas Day in the [C7]morn[F]ing?

Our [F]Saviour [C7]Christ and [F]His la[C7]dy,
On [F]Christmas Day, on [C7]Christmas Day;
Our [F]Saviour [C7]Christ and [F]His la[C7]dy,
On [F]Christmas Day in the [C7]morn[F]ing.

And [F]all the [C7]bells on [C7]earth shall [F]ring,
On [F]Christmas Day, on [C7]Christmas Day;
And [F]all the [C7]bells on [F]earth shall [C7]ring,
On [F]Christmas Day in the [C7]morn[F]ing.

And [F]all the [C7]Angels in [F]Heaven shall [C7]sing,
On [F]Christmas Day, on [C7]Christmas Day;
And [F]all the [C7]Angels in [F]Heaven shall [C7]sing,
On [F]Christmas Day in the [C7]morn[F]ing.
_______

INFANT HOLY, INFANT LOWLY

Infant [G]holy, Infant [Am7]lowly,
Lying [G]crad[C]led [D7]in a [G]stall.
Oxen [G]lowing, little [Am7]knowing
That the [G]Babe [C]is [D7]Lord of [G]All.
Swift are [C]winging, [Am7]Angels [D7]singing,
Nowells [Em7]ringing, [Am7]Tidings [D7]bringing
That the [G]Babe [C]is [D7]Lord of [Em7]All,
[D7]That the [G]Babe [C]is [D7]Lord of [G]All.

Stars were [G]gleaming, shepherds [Am7]dreaming
And the [G]night [C]was [D7]dark and [G]chill.
Angels’ [G]story, manger [Am7]glory,
Shepherds [G]heard [C]it [D7]on the [G]hill.
Ah, that [C]singing! [Am7]Hear it [D7]ringing,
Earthward [Em7]winging, [Am7]Christmas [D7]bringing.
Hearken! [G]We [C]can [D7]hear it [Em7]still!
[D7]Hearken! [G]We [C]can [D7]hear it [G]still!

See the [G]clearness and the [Am7]nearness
Of the [G]bles[C]sed [D7]Christmas [G]star,
Leading, [G]guiding, wise men [Am7]riding
Through the [G]des[C]ert [D7]dark and [G]far.
Lovely [C]showing, [Am7]shining [D7]growing,
Onward [Em7]going, [Am7]gleaming [D7]glowing,
Leading [G]still, [C]our [D7]Christmas [Em7]Star.
[D7]Leading [G]still, [C]our [D7]Christmas [G]Star.
_______

JINGLE BELLS

[F]Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open [Bbadd9]sleigh
O’er the hills we [C]go
Laughing all the [F]way.
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits [Bbadd9]bright.
What fun it is to [C]ride and sing
A sleighing song to[F]night. [C7]Oh!
[F]Jingle bells jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
[Bbadd9]Oh, what fun it [F]is to ride
In a [G7]one horse open [Cadd9]sleigh!
[F]Jingle bells jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
[Bbadd9]Oh, what fun it [F]is to ride
In a [C7]one horse open [F]sleigh!

[G]Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open [C]sleigh
O’er the hills we [D7]go
Laughing all the [G]way.
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits [C]bright.
What fun it is to [D7]ride and sing
A sleighing song to[G]night. [D7]Oh!
[G]Jingle bells jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
[C]Oh, what fun it [G]is to ride
In a [A7]one horse open [D7]sleigh!
[G]Jingle bells jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
[C]Oh, what fun it [G]is to ride
In a [D7]one horse open [G]sleigh!
_______

JOLLY OLD ST. NICHOLAS

[F]Jolly old St. [C]Nicholas,
[Bbadd9]Lean your ear this [Dm7]way!
[Bbadd9]Don’t you tell a [F]single soul
[C]What I’m going to say.
[F]Christmas Eve is [C]coming soon!
[Bbadd9]Now, you dear old [Dm7]man.
[Bbadd9]Whisper what you’ll [F]bring to me;
[C]Tell me if you [F]can.

[F]When the clock is [C]striking twelve.
[Bbadd9]When I’m fast a[Dm7]sleep,
[Bbadd9]Down the chimney [F]broad and black,
[C]With your pack you’ll creep.
[F]All the stockings [C]you will find
[Bbadd9]Hanging in a [Dm7]row;
[Bbadd9]Mine will be the [F]shortest one,
[C]You’ll be sure to [F]know.

[F]Johnny wants a [C]pair of skates.
[Bbadd9]Susy wants a [Dm7]sled,
[Bbadd9]Nelly wants a [F]picture book;
[C]Yellow, blue and red;
[F]Now I think I’ll [C]leave to you
[Bbadd9]What to give the [Dm7]rest;
[Bbadd9]Choose for me, dear [F]Santa Claus,
[C]You will know the [F]best.
_______

PATAPAN

[Dm]Willie, take your little drum,
With your whistle, Robin, [A7]come.
When we hear the fife and [Dm]drum,
Turelurelu, [A7]patapatapan;
When we hear the fife and [Dm]drum:
Make your Christ mas [A7]frolic[Dm]some!

[Dm]Thus the men of olden days
Loved the King of Kings to [A7]praise;
When we hear the fife and [Dm]drum,
Turelurelu, [A7]patapatapan;
When we hear the fife and [Dm]drum:
Let your joyful [A7]voices [Dm]hum!

[Dm]God and man are now become
More at one than fife and [A7]drum;
Listen to this fife and [Dm]drum,
Turelurelu, [A7]patapatapan;
Listen to this fife and [Dm]drum,
And you never [A7]will suc[Dm]cumb!
_______

WHAT SHALL WE GIVE?

[C]What shall we [G7]give to the [C]Son of our [G7]Mary?
[C]What can we [G7]give that the [C]Child will en[G7]joy?
[C]First, we shall give Him a [G7]tray full of [C]raisins,
Then we shall offer sweet [G7]figs to the [C]Boy.
Tampatamta, give a [G7]tray full of [C]raisins,
Tampatamta, and sweet [G7]figs to the [C]Boy.

[C]What can we [G7]give the Be[C]loved of [G7]Mary?
[C]What can we [G7]give to her [C]beautiful [G7]Child?
[C]Raisins and olives and [G7]nutmeats and [C]honey,
Candy and figs and some [G7]cheese that is [C]mild.
Tampatamta, olives, [G7]nutmeats and [C]honey,
Tampatamta, and some [G7]cheese that is [C]mild.

[C]What can we [G7]sing Him? A [C]song of sweet [G7]beauty?
[C]What if we [G7]sing as those [C]angels a[G7]bove?
[C]”Peace and goodwill to the [G7]sons of the [C]morning,
Glory and praise to the [G7]Author of [C]Love.”
Tampatamta, all ye [G7]sons of the [C]morning,
Tampatamta, praise the [G7]Author of [C]Love.
_______

THE LITTLE CRADLE ROCKS

If [F]anybody asks you who I am,
[Bb7]who I am, [F]who I am,
If anybody asks you who I am,
[Bb7]Tell him I’m a child of [F]God.

CHORUS
The [F]little cradle rocks tonight in glory,
[Bb7]in glory, [F]in glory,
The little cradle rocks tonight in glory,
[Bb7]Christ child born in [F]glory!

[F]Peace on earth, Mary rock the cradle,
[Bb7]Rock the cradle, [F]rock the cradle,
Peace on earth, Mary rock the cradle,
[Bb7]Christ child born in [F]glory! [CHORUS]

The [F]Christ child’s passing, singing softly,
[Bb7]Singing softly, [F]singing softly,
The Christ child’s passing, singing softly,
[Bb7]Christ child born in [F]glory! [CHORUS]

If [F]anybody asks you who you are,
[Bb7]who you are, [F]who you are,
If anybody asks you who you are,
[Bb7]Tell him you’re a child of [F]God.
_______

SILENT NIGHT

[C]Silent night! Holy night!
[G7]All is calm, [C]all is bright,
[F]Round yon Virgin [C]Mother and Child!
[F]Holy Infant, so [C]tender and mild,
[G7]Sleep in heavenly [C]peace!
Sleep in [G7]heavenly [C]peace!

[C]Silent night! Holy night!
[G7]Shepherds quake [C]at the sight!
[F]Glories stream from [C]heaven afar,
[F]Heav’nly Hosts sing [C]Alleluia!
[G7]Christ, the Savior is [C]born!
Christ, the [G7]Savior is [C]born!

[C]Silent night! Holy night!
[G7]Son of God, [C]love’s pure light;
[F]Radiant beams from [C]Thy Holy Face,
[F]With the dawn of re[C]deeming grace,
[G7]Jesus, Lord, at Thy [C]Birth!
Jesus, [G7]Lord, at Thy [C]Birth!

Blue Skies Sing-along Video with Chords & Lyrics

https://youtu.be/DYoJt4fnAP8

“[Blue Skies] was composed in 1926 as a last-minute addition to the Rodgers and Hart musical Betsy… [It] was an instant success, with audiences on opening night demanding 24 encores of the piece…” ~Wikipedia

There are a boatload of chords in this song and some unusual progressions that come off as fresh but not weird (might be why it has stood the test of time so well – I particularly like the Cadd9 followed by the Daug). Here are the chords and their frettings:

[G 0232] [G7 0212] [C6 0000] [C7 0001] [Gsus4 0233] [Bm 4222] [F# 3121] [F#7 3424] [D7 2223] [B7 2322] [Em 0432] [Baug 0332] [C#m7b5 0102] [Cadd9 0005] [Daug 3225] [Bb7 1211] [Cm7 3333] [Cm 0333] [Eb7 3334]

Reading the above fret number chord diagrams for standard ukulele gCEA tuning:
1st digit = g string fret number
2nd digit = C string
3rd digit = E string fret number
4th digit = A string fret number

Blue Skies by Irving Berlin

 

[G]I was [G7]blue, just as
[C6]blue as [C7]I could [G]be [Gsus4] [G]
[G]Ev’ry [G7]day was a
[C6]cloudy [C7]day for [G]me [Gsus4] [G]
[Bm]Then good [F#]luck came a
[F#7]knocking at my [Bm]door [D7]
[G]Skies were [G7]gray, but they’re
[C6]not gray [C7]any[G]more [B7]

[Em]Blue skies [Baug] smiling at [G]me
[C#m7b5] Nothing but [G]blue skies [Cadd9]
[Daug]do I [G]see [B7]
[Em]Bluebirds [Baug] singing a [G]song
[C#m7b5] Nothing but [G]bluebirds [Cadd9]
[Daug] all day [G]long

[G]Never saw the [Bb7]sun
[Cm7]shining so [G]bright
[Cm]Never saw [G]things
[Eb7]going [D7]so [G]right
[G]Noticing the [Bb7]days
[Cm7]hurrying [G]by
[Cm]When your in [G]love
[Eb7]my how [D7]they [G]fly [B7]

[Em]Blue days [Baug] all of them [G]gone
[C#m7b5] Nothing but [G]blue skies [Cadd9]
[Daug] from now [G]on [Gsus4] [G]

For Educational Purposes Only

Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Fats Waller Cover) w/ Lyrics & Chords

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDKBVVxIDHw

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Fats Waller Cover)
Posted for educational purposes only.

Chords in this song: C 0003, C#dim7 0101, Dm 2210, G 0232, C7 0001, F 2010, Fm 1013, Am 2000, G7 0212, E7 1202, A7 0100 & D7 2223

Reading the above fret number chord diagrams for standard ukulele gCEA tuning:
1st digit = g string fret number
2nd digit = C string
3rd digit = E string fret number
4th digit = A string fret number

[C] No one to [C#dim7]walk with
[Dm] All by my[G]self
[C] No one to [C7]talk with
But [F]I’m happy [Fm]on the shelf
[C] Ain’t misbe[Am]havin’
[Dm]I’m savin’ [G7]my love for
[E7]you [A7] [D7] [G7]

[C] I know for [C#dim7]certain
[Dm] The one I [G]love
[C] I’m through with [C7]flirtin’
It’s [F]just you I’m [Fm]thinkin’ of
[C] Ain’t misbe[Am]havin’
[Dm]I’m savin’ [G7]my love for
[C]you [Fm] [C] [E7]

[Am] Like Jack Horner
[F] In the corner
[Am] Don’t go nowhere
[A7] What do I care?
[G] Your kisses [Am]are worth
[D7]waitin’ [G7]for
[A7]Be[D7]lieve [G7]me

[C] I don’t stay [C#dim7]out late
[Dm] Don’t care to [G]go
[C] I’m home a[C7]bout eight
Just [F]me and my [Fm]radio
[C] Ain’t mis[Am]behavin’
[Dm ]I’m savin’ [G7]my love for
[C]you [Fm] [C]

Cry Out, Cry Out : a new song

If you’ve been reading the blog lately, you’ll know I’ve been working on memorization. I started work on this song a couple weeks ago and wanted to get this out for Palm Sunday and just barely made it (lyrics and chords below the video – twitter me covers @mryantaylor – just 4 chords!). Hope you have a lovely Easter week. YouTube at https://youtu.be/SIOpUwD4xaI and audio at https://uke-n-me.bandcamp.com/track/cry-out-cry-out (for sharing). Hope you enjoy it!

Cry Out, Cry Out
Music & Lyrics by M. Ryan Taylor

{Verse 1}
I was [C]born to this [Am]world by blood and [F]water, [C]
Yet the [C7]world turned my [F]heart into a stone, [Am]
In the [C]darkness I [Am]called on my Re[F]deemer, [C]
Where the rock once op[Am]pressed me a new [F]heart has grown. [C]

{Chorus}
[C]Cry out, cry out, lift your [F]palms to the [C]sky,
Cry out, cry [C7]out, sing and [F]let your voice [C]fly!
The Kingdom is [Am]coming on the [F]wings of a [C]Dove,
Cry out, cry [C7]out, sing the [F]praise of His [C]love.

{Verse 2}
Hear Him [C]calling these [Am]stones to be his [F]children, [C]
See the [C7]wonder of [F]what they will become, [Am]
Feel the [C]cool of the [Am]Fount of Living [F]Water [C]
As they shout and sing [Am]praises to the [F]Holy One. [C]

{Chorus}

{Verse 3}
Come and [C]lift up your [Am]praise, ye broken [F]hearted, [C]
Come and [C7]lift up your [F]sorrows to your King, [Am]
Ev’ry [C]sorrow He [Am]turns to hymns of [F]gladness, [C]
Lay them down at His [Am]feet and feel the [F]music ring. [C]

Copyright © 2017 M. Ryan Taylor | Vocal Works Publishing

#PRINCEofPEACE

More Music for Ukulele Ensembles! Blackbird, Over the Rainbow & More.

I just finished a round of arranging songs for UFO HUM‘s next concert; these 100% legal arrangements for ukulele ensembles (royalties make their way back to the copyright holders) are available through a special arrangement with Sheet Music Plus. Here are the new titles:

You can check out more titles released before Christmas on the For Ukulele Ensembles page of this site.

New Music for Ukulele Ensembles plus Freebies

I’ve created a new page, For Ukulele Ensembles, with music I’ve arranged for 3 or more ukulele players. The page currently contains a couple of BLACK FRIDAY FREEBIES (Canon in C, and I’ll Fly Away), as well as a number of popular Christmas songs (Feliz Navidad, It’s Beginning To Look Like Christmas, The Little Drummer Boy, Sleigh Ride, Silver Bells, You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch).

I’ll be adding arrangements of Best Day of My Life : American Authors, Music of the Night : Andrew Lloyd Webber, Happy : Pharrell Williams and more in 2017!

Unlike a lot you find on the internet, these are 100% legal arrangements (royalties make their way back to the copyright holders) through an agreement with SMP Press who works with Hal Leornard music publishing.

I hope you enjoy these with your own ukulele trios, ensembles, bands and orchestras. Happy Holidays!

I <3 the Mountains - Whiteboard

Today my weekly Two Trees ukulele youth class went over the classic camp song, I Love the Mountains. The repeating chord pattern is a great one for beginners. We also talked about transposition and bringing the song up from the key of C (which is easy, but I find a little low for my voice) to the key of F. I took some shots of the white board and thought I’d pass them along.

Note that some versions of the song use the pattern C-C-Am-Am-Dm-Dm-G7-G7 instead of C-C-Am-Am-F-F-G7-G7. This would translate in the key of F to F-F-Dm-Dm-Gm-Gm-C7-C7 instead of F-F-Dm-Dm-Bb-Bb-C7-C7 and as Gm is easier than Bb for beginners it might be the way to go.

DSC06462 DSC06463 DSC06464 DSC06465 DSC06466

Happy Easter! : That Easter Morn Tab Arrangement

That Easter Morn

Hope you enjoy this arrangement of Robert Cundick’s lovely Easter hymn. You can find the original hymn tune and words here: That Easter Morn at LDS.org

Happy Easter!