Lester's Tune-a-Day

Happy and prosperous New Year to all my readers :) The tune to which "Auld Lang Syne" is commonly sung is a pentatonic Scots folk melody, probably originally a sprightly dance in a much quicker tempo. X:25 T:Auld Lang Syne  M:C  L:1/4  K:G D | G>F GB | A>G AB/A/ | G>G Bd |e3 e |  d>B BG | A>G AB/A/ | G>E ED | G2- G e |  d>B BG | A>G Ae | d>B (Bd) | e3 e |  d>B BG | A>G A(B/A/) | (G>E) (ED) | G2- G ||

The melody is Welsh dating back to the sixteenth century, and belongs to a New Year's Eve carol, Nos Galan. X:2 T:Deck the Halls (Nos Galen) M:4/4 L:1/8 K:Gmaj d3 c B2 A2|G2 A2 B2 G2|ABcA B3 A|G2 F2 G4| d3 c B2 A2|G2 A2 B2 G2|ABcA B3 A|G2 F2 G4|| A3 B c2 A2|B3 c d2 A2|Bc d2 ef g2|f2 e2 d4| d3 c B2 A2|G2 A2 B2 G2|eeee d3 c|B2 A2 G4|]

A probably c13 tune called Adeste Fideles. X:342 T:O Come, All Ye Faithful M:4/4 L:1/4 K:G G | G2 D G | A2 D2 | B A B c | B2 A G |  G2 F E | F G A B | F2 E>D | D3 z || d2 c B | c2 B2 | A B G A | F>E D G || G F G A | G2 D B | B A B c | B2 A B | c B A G | F2 G c | B2 A>G | G3 z |]

The tune first appeared as a secular dance tune known as "le branle de l'Official" in Orchésographie, a dance book written by Jehan Tabourot (1519--1593). X:1 T:Ding Dong! Merrily on High M:4/4 L:1/4 K:G G G A/G/ F/E/ | D3 D | EG GF | G2 G2 | G G A/G/ F/E/ | D3 D | EG GF | G2 G2 | d>c B/c/ d/B/ | c>B A/B/ c/A/ | B>A G/A/ B/G/ | A>G F/G/ A/F/ | G>F E/F/ G/E/ | F>E D D |  E G G F |  G2 G2 |

One of my favourite carols as it intermingles Christian and Pagan imagery, with holly and ivy representing Pagan fertility symbols.  X:1 T:Holly and the Ivy M:6/8 R: K:G G2 A | BAG DGF | G3 G2 d | d2 B GAB | A3 -A2d | d2 B BAB | ccc cdc | BAG AGF | G3 ||

Silent Night (German: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) was composed in 1818 in Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by the UNESCO in March 2011 despite my playing. X:450 T:Silent Night M:3/4 L:1/8 K:G d3ed2|B6|d3ed2|B6| a4a2|f6|g4g2|d6| e4e2|g3fe2|d3ed2|B6| e4e2|g3fe2|d3ed2|B6| a4a2|c'3af2|g6|b6| g3dB2|d3cA2|G6|-G4 z2|

A carol for the Feast of Steven. Originally Tempus Adest Floridum (It is time for flowering), a 13th-century spring carol first published in the Finnish song book Piae Cantiones in 1582. X:1 T:Good King Wenceslas M:4/4 L:1/4 K:G G G G A | G G D2 | E D E F | G2 G2 | G G G A | G G D2 | E D E F | G2 G2 | d c B A | B A G2 | E D E F | G2 G2 | D D E F | G G A2 | d c B A | G2 c2 | G4 |]

A merry Christmas to all my readers. This is the first of 12 Christmas tunes for the 12 Days of Christmas. X:526 T:We Wish You a Merry Christmas M:3/4 L:1/8 K:G D2 | G2 GAGF | E2 E2 E2 | A2 ABAG | F2 D2 D2 |  B2 BcBA | G2 E2 DD | E2 A2 F2 | G4 || D2 | G2 G2 G2 | F4 F2 | G2 F2 E2 | D4 A2 |  B2 A2 GG | d2 D2 DD | E2 A2 F2 | G4 |]

A tune by Will Ward of Fiddler's Dram & the Oyster Band. X:523 T:Will's Way C:Will Ward M:4/4 L:1/8 K:D FG A2 A4|BA B2 A4|DEFG A2B2|=c2B2 B2A2| FG A2 A4|BA B2 A4|DEFG F2E2|D4-D4:| d4 AGFA|d4 AGFE|DEFG A2B2|=c2B2 B2A2| d4 AGFA|d4 AGFE|DEFG F2E2|D4-D4:

The March of St Timothy is a hammer dulcimer tune written by Judi Morningstar. X:291 T:March of St Timothy M:4/4 C: Judi Morningstar K:G B3 c d2 B2|A3 B c2 A2|G3 A B2 G2|G2 F2 E2 D2| E3 F G2 E2|D2 G2 B2 d2|c3 B A2 G2|F2 A2 D2 c2| B3 c d2 B2|A3 B c2 A2|G3 A B2 G2|G2 F2 E2 D2| E3 F G2 E2|D2 G2 B2 d2|cB A2 F2 A2|G6 dd|| c2 d2 A2 c2|F2 A2 D2 dd|B2 d2 G2 B2|D2 G2 B2 dd| c2 d2 A2 c2|F2 A2 D2 dd|B2 D2 E2 F2|G2 A2 B2 dd| c2 d2 A2 c2|F2 A2 D2 dd|B2 d2 G2 B2|D2 G2 B2 D2| E3 F G2 E2|D2 G2 B2 d2|cB A2 F2 A2|G8||

A morris dance tune from Sherborne. It differs from most other morris tunes in its rhythm due to it being for a Heel and Toe dance. X:306 T:Monk's March M:2/4 L:1/8 K:G D|G2 GB A2 Ac|Bdge d3 c|BdBG AcAF|G2 G2 G3 D| G2 GB A2 Ac|Bdge d3 c|BdBG AcAF|G2 G2 G3|| B/2c/2|d>e dc B2 B2|c>d cB A2 A2|d>e dc B2 B2|cdec AcAF| G2 GB A2 Ac|Bdge d3 c|BdBG AcAF|G2 G2 G3|

This is today's tune (21st December) to celebrate the Winter Solstice. It was written by Gustav Holst. X:210 T:In the Bleak Midwinter L:1/4 K:G B>c dB | A2 G2 | A>B AE | A3 z | B>c dB | A2 G2 | AB A>G | G3 z :| cB cd | e2 B2 | dB AG | A3 z | B>c dB | A2 G2 | AB A>G | G3 z :|

This is one of a number of Welsh Border tunes known as Not for Joe. This one is used for the dance from the village of Dilwyn. X:331 T:Not For Joe M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G D2 G2 D2 G2|F2 E2 F2 E2|D2 G2 D2 G2|F2 G2 A4| D2 G2 D2 G2|F2 E2 F2 E2|D4 B3 A|G2 F2 G4:| B3 A G2 B2|c4 A4|B3 A G2 B2|A2 F2 D4| B3 A G2 B2|c4 A4|D4 B3 A|G2 F2 G4:|

Theme Vannetaise was composed by the Breton band Tri Yann but is now well known in the Border Morris community as Twiglet the name of the dance for which it is used. There is also a school of thought that the tune is in fact Welsh and called Bwrlwm. X:485 T:Theme Vannitaise M:4/4 K:Em E2 B2 B2 AB|G2 E2 E4|A2 AG F2 FE|DE FA G2 F2| E2 B2 B2 AB|G2 E2 E4|A2 AG F2 FE|DE FA E4:| EF GF EF GF|EF GA B2 G2|DE FE D3 E|F2 A2 G2 F2| EF GF EF GF|EF GA B2 G2|DE FE D3 A|G2 F2 E4:|

A morris dance tune from Bledington. Sorry if the quality and my beaming smile are worse than normal but I am in the middle of a Norovirus infection :( X:156 T:Gallant Hussar M:6/8 L:1/8 K:G D|G2 B ABc|dBe c2 A|GAB cBd|1 G3 F2:|2 G3 G2|| B/2c/2|dBd g2 g|ecA c2 B|ABc dBA|G3 F2 D| G2 B ABc|dBe c2 A|GAB cBd|G3 G2:|

Over the Hills and Far Away is a traditional English song, dating back to at least the late 17th century. One version was published in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera of 1728. Sorry if the quality and my beaming smile are worse than normal but I am in the middle of a Norovirus infection :( X:359 T:Over the Hills & Far Away M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G D2|GABA GABA|G2 E2 E2 D2|GABA GABG| c2 A2 A2 D2|GABA GABA|G2 E2 c4|E2 D2 D2 B2|c2 A2 A2:| Bc|d3 c B3 A|G2 E2 E2 Bc|d2 dc B2 AB|c2 A2 A2 Bc| de dc Bc BA|G2 E2 c4|E2 D2 D2 B2|c2 A2 A2:|

A dance tune from the Isle of Man. Named after Mona Douglas, a collector of folk music and dance on the island. X:305 T:Mona's Delight M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G D2|G2GA B2AG|A2AB c2BA|G2GB d2BG|AF D2 AFD2| G2GA B2AG|A2AB c2BA|BdBG AcAF|1G2G2G2:|2G2G2G4|| d2dc BcdB|c2cB ABcA|B2BA GABG|A2F2D4| d2dc BcdB|c2cB ABcA|BdBG AcAF|G2G2G4:||

A French  Schottische. X:419 T:Schottische a Bethanie M:2/4 L:1/8 K:Em E2GB E2GB|c2BA B4|cded c2BA|G2A2 B2E2| E2GB E2GB|c2BA B4|cded c2BA|G2gf e4:|| e2fg f2e2|dedc B4|cded c2BA|G2A2 B2E2| e2fg f2e2|dedc B4|cded c2BA|G2gf e4:||

A morris dance tune from Sherborne in Gloucestershire. X:103 T:Cuckoo's Nest M:2/2 L:1/8 K:Em GAGF E2 e2|B2 B2 A2 B2|FAFE D2 EF|G2 A2 E4:|| e2 e2 e2 fe|d2 B2 B3 ^c|d2 d2 d2 ed|^c2 A2 A4| GAGF E2 e2|B2 B2 A2 B2|FAFE D2 EF|G2 A2 E4:|

A song written in 1956 by Ralph Butler and Peter Hart about the eponymous fictional intelligent elephant. X:324 T:Nellie The Elephant M:6/8 L:1/8 Q:1/4=140 K:G Bcd BAG|B2B d2d|e2e gfe|d3 B3| c2c AAA|ded B3|f3 e3|ded cBA| Bcd BAG|B2B d2d|e2e gfe|d3 B3| c2c AAA|ded B3|e2cA2 F|G3 G2| | A|GBd g2 f|g3 d3|e3 d2c|B3-B2 B| A2B cBA|d2e ffg|a2g f2e|ded c BA| Bcd BAG|B2B d2d|e2e gfe|d3 B3| c2c AAA|ded B3|e2cA2 F|G3 G3|

A waltz from the playing of Scan Tester'.  Played in memory of two great men who have died recently Neil Armstrong and Sir Patrick Moore. X:289 T:Man in the Moon M:3/4 L:1/8 K:D A2|d3e d2|c2 B2 A2|d2e2f2|g4fg| a4g2|f2g2e2|d3 e fe|d2 cB A2| d3e d2|c2 B2 A2|d2e2f2|g4fg| a4g2|f2g2e2|d3 e fe|d4|| fg|a6|a6|g2e2f2|g6|f3 efg| a2f2d2|B2c2d2|e2 cB A2| d3e d2|c2 B2 A2|d2e2f2|g4fg| a4g2|f2g2e2|d3 e fe|d4|

Redwing is a popular song written in 1907 with music by Kerry Mills and lyrics by Thurland Chattaway. Mills adapted the music from Robert Schumann's composition for piano The Happy Farmer, Returning From Work, 1848. The song tells of a young Indian maid's loss of her sweetheart who has died in battle. It is most memorable for its chorus: Now the moon shines tonight on pretty Redwing, The breeze is sighing, the night bird's crying, For a far far away her brave is dying, While Red Wing's weeping her heart away. X:390 T:Redwing C:Kerry Mills M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G D2|G2 G2 GABc|d6 G2|c2 e2 g2 e2|d6 B2| c2 cB A2 c2|B2 BA G2 B2|A2 G2 F2 G2|A2 F2 E2 D2| G2 G2 GABc|d6 G2|c2 e2 g2 e2|d6 B2| c2 cB A2 c2|B2 BA G2 B2|A2 G2 F2 A2|G6|| g2|g2 f2 e4|c4 e2 g2|f2 e2 d4|B6 d2| e2 d2 d4|A6 d2|e2 d2 d4|B6 g2| g2 f2 e4|c4 e2 g2|f2 e2 d4|B6 d2| e2 d2 d4|A6 c2|B2 A2 G3 A|B2 A2 G2|]

Barwick Green is the theme music to the long-running BBC Radio 4 rural soap opera The Archers. It is a maypole dance from the suite My Native Heath, written in 1924 by the Yorkshire composer Arthur Wood, and named after Barwick-in-Elmet. It is also a tune I used for a morris dance called Grundy's Delight. X:32 T:Barwick Green C:Arthur Wood M:6/8 L:1/8 K:G d2 B g2 e|d2 B G3|d2 B g2 f|e3 d3| d2 B g2 e|d2 B G3|A2 d ^cdc|d3 d3|| e2 f gfe|c2 d edc|B2 c dcB|B3 A3| d2 B g2 e|d2 B G3|d2 g fga|g3 g3||

One of a pair of tunes known in my circle of players as the Kingfisher Set. It is the second tune and known as "The Tune That Goes With The Kingfisher". Then some ne said the this was actually the Kingfisher and the first tune was "The Tune That Goes With The Kingfisher". Now turns out that neither are the Kingfisher but the name has stuck. Kingfisher 1 was tune 101. X:240 T:Kingfisher 2 M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G G2 d2 cB AG|ef g2 d2 cB|cd ec Bc dB|Ad de dc BA| G2 d2 cB AG|ef g2 d2 cB|cd ec Bc dB|A3 G G4:|| g2 fg a2 ga|b3 a gf ed|ef gf ed cB|Ad de dc BA| G2 d2 cB AG|ef g2 d2 cB|cd ec Bc dB|A3 G G4:||

One of a pair of tunes known in my circle of players as the Kingfisher Set. It was thought that this tune was the Kingfisher and the one that went with it was known as "The Tune That Goes With The Kingfisher". Then someone said the other tune was the Kingfisher and this was actually "The Tune That Goes With The Kingfisher". Now turns out that neither are the Kingfisher but the name has stuck. The other tune will be Tune 102. X:239 T:Kingfisher 1 M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G GA Bc d2 G2|g2 fe d2 B2|cB ce de dc|BA Bc e2 d2| GA Bc d2 G2|g2 fe d2 B2|cB ce de dc|B2 A2 G4:|| d3 c B3 c|dBcd e4|e3 d c3 d|eA Bc e2 d2| B3 A G3 A|BG AB c4|cB ce de dc|B2 A2 G4:||

A morris dance tune from Sherborne in Gloucestershire. T:Orange in Bloom M:6/8 K:G D|EGE DGA|BdB A2 B|GEE DGA|BGG G2  D| EGE DGA|BdB A2 B|GEE DGA|BGG G2 || A|BAB/2c/2 d2 B|AGA Bcd|edB AGA|BAG E2 D| EGE DGA|BdB A2 B|GEE DGA|BGG G2|| [M:4/4] A|BABc d2 B2|AG A2 Bc d2|ed B2 AG A2|BA GF [M:6/8]E3 D|  E>GE DGA|BdB A2 B|G2 E DGA|BGG G2||

A beautiful waltz by David Richardson of the Boys of the Lough. X:426 T:Sharon Eubanks C:David Richardson M:3/4 L:1/8 K:G GA| :B2-Bc dB|AB AG FG|E2G2A2|G3E GE| D3B, DE|DE GA B/A/G|B2A2G2|A4 GA| B2-Bc dB|AB AG FG|E2G2A2|G3E GE| D3B, DE|DE GA B/A/G|A2B2A2|G4 GA:| B2GA B/A/G|d2Bc dB|c2e2g2|e3d ed| Bd  GA Bd|e2d2B2|A2B2G2|A4 GA| B2G A B/A/G|d2Bc dB|c2e2g2|e3d ed| B3A B/A/G|AB AG FG|E2G2A2|G4 GA| B2G A B/A/G|d2Bc dB|c2e2g2|e3d ed| Bd GA Bd|e2d2B2|A2B2G2|A4 GA| B2-Bc dB|AB AG FG|E2G2A2|G3E GE| D3B, DE|DE GA B/A/G|A2B2A2|G6|

A morris dance tune for a dance from the village of Ducklington. X:273 T:Lollipop Man - Ducklington M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G BA|GB D2 D2 DE|G2 G2 G3 A|BA GA BA GA|B2 E2 E2 BA| GB D2 D2 DE|G2 G2 G3 d|edef g2 dc|B2 A2 G3|| A|d2 d2 gfeg|B2 d2 d3 B|AGAB cBAG|A2 E2 E2 BA| GB D2 D2 DE|G2 G2 G3 d|edef g2 dc|B2 A2 G3||

A staple of the English session scene but originally form a chorus in the 1821 opera Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber. X:206 T:Huntsman's Chorus M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G D2|G2D2GABc|d4B4|A2d2A2d2|BcBA G2D2| G2D2GABc|d4c4|BAGA B2A2|G4-G2:| |:A2|B3c B2A2|G4G4|c3d c2B2|A2F2E2D2| G2D2GABc|d4c4|BAGA B2A2|G4-G2:|

Another ceilidh favourite, probably originally a Scottish Pipe Tune. X:202 T:Hot Punch M:6/8 L:1/8 K:G d2c|B2G GAG|E2G D2G|B2G BdB|G3A2B| c2A AGA|F2A A3|F2D FAF|D3d2c| B2G GAG|E2G D2G|B2G BdB|G3z2 d| dBd cAc|BGB A2A|D2D DEF|G3|| d2c|B2d ded|B2d d3|B2G BdB|G3A2B| c2A AGA|F2A A3|F2D FAF|D3d2c| B2d ded|B2d d3|B2G BdB|G3z2 d| dBd cAc|BGB A2A|D2D DEF|G3||

A morris dance tune from Bampton, possibly English but also laid claim to by Scotland, Ireland and America. X:401 T:Rose Tree M:4/4 L:1/8 K:G BA|G2E2D2B,2|DEDB, D2B,2|G2G2BAGA|B2A2A2BA| G2E2D2B,2|DEDB, D2D2|G2FG A2GA|B2G2G2:| GA|B2A2B2c2|d2ed c2B2|A2e2e2d2|e2A2A2BA| G2E2D2B,2|DEDB, D2D2|G2FG A2GA|B2G2G2:|

Another tune from the Sussex Tune Book, its source being the Alymore ms dated 1796 and 1818. X:81 T:Captain Lanoe's Quick March M:6/8 L:1/8 K:G G2B d2d|gfe d3|cdc BcB|AGA B2G| G2B d2d|gfe d3|cdc BcB|AGA G3:| B3B3|BAB c3|B2c d2c|B2A B2G| B3B3|BAB c3|B2g dBG|A3G3:|