Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 11/21/2012:  07:07:41

Alright, tomorrow's Thanksgiving so this is a tad early. This may be the first Christmas sound off of the season (??).

I worked out this arrangement and I really like how these two songs go together, it's like they were born for each other. I'm in Em, Sawmill tuning. I purposely tried to keep the melodies clear and straightforward without alot of slides, pulloffs, and such.

I think I'll do this for our Christmas music service at church this year--tell me what you think of the arrangement (I know the playing leaves much to be desired). My wife may play fiddle with me--don't know yet.

By the way, the first carol (God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen) is a much misunderstood Christmas tune. Most people have no idea what it means to "rest someone merry." The song is English, written in 1833 (author unknown), and in 1833 England, 'rest' did  not mean relax, and 'merry' did not (always) mean 'happy,'--Robin Hood's men weren't necessarily "happy." Instead, 'rest' is used to mean "to make or to cause," and 'merry' is used to mean "strong, firm, mighty." This was a somewhat common phrase in Charles Dickens' England. So the carol is saying, "God cause you to be strong and firm, gentlemen," (hence the strategic location of the comma in the title, many people erroneously put the comma after 'ye' instead of 'merry'). The carol goes on to give the reason for that strength. So---there, a bit of history to boot. Now you can understand the meaning of the carol.

Enjoy.

Edited by - Jason Wilkerson on 11/21/2012 07:35:21

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/O Come, O Come Emmanuel

SCclawman - Posted - 11/21/2012:  07:15:53

Jason,

That sounds great man! The only thing your playing leaves is a desire to hear more. I definitely think you should play this at church and have your wife fiddle with you.

Thanks for the history lesson as well. It's interesting how we sing things at church sometimes and don't really know what we are singing. That's not always a good thing. haha...great explanation though. Enjoyed reading it and listening to the music.

cherbr - Posted - 11/21/2012:  07:23:38

I really enjoyed listening to you play and learning the meaning of the song as well. :)

Steve Jeter - Posted - 11/21/2012:  07:27:15

wow! I think the arrangement is fantastic! I think you are sounding a lot like RD Lunceford here,,,,, very impressive. what banjo you playing that on?
thumbs way up

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 11/21/2012:  07:29:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve j.

wow! I think the arrangement is fantastic! I think you are sounding a lot like RD Lunceford here,,,,, very impressive. what banjo you playing that on?

thumbs way up

 

---

Thanks tons, guys. stevej, I'm playing on my Chuck Lee Lone Star, goatskin head and Nylgut strings. I was surprised to hear how twangy it sounds on the recording. Listening to it from behind, I always thought it was warmer than that. ha.

yopasjim - Posted - 11/21/2012:  07:39:26

Excellent job, Jason!  I really like it.  Can I schedule you for our church on Christmas eve?  (lol)  I like the transition between the two songs.  If you were to play this song at our church - while you play - I would show a simple PowerPoint presentation communicating the truths you discovered about the song.  Very powerful! 

I am like you when it comes to the meaning behind the songs.  I love to hear the true meanings behind the words we sing at Christmas. Last year I stumbled on an old Christmas carol that I RARELY hear, but it has a powerful message.  The song was called "Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day" and the words are pretty powerful.  I am not good at imagining how this song sounds in Bluegrass style, but I like it.

Here is the info on the obscure song:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomorrow...ncing_Day

Super job!....but really I will hold an opening for you on Christmas eve.  :)

Edited by - yopasjim on 11/21/2012 07:40:36

michael6 - Posted - 11/21/2012:  07:48:45

Very nice work Jason !

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 11/21/2012:  07:53:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by yopasjim

Excellent job, Jason!  I really like it.  Can I schedule you for our church on Christmas eve?  (lol)  I like the transition between the two songs.  If you were to play this song at our church - while you play - I would show a simple PowerPoint presentation communicating the truths you discovered about the song.  Very powerful! 

I am like you when it comes to the meaning behind the songs.  I love to hear the true meanings behind the words we sing at Christmas. Last year I stumbled on an old Christmas carol that I RARELY hear, but it has a powerful message.  The song was called "Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day" and the words are pretty powerful.  I am not good at imagining how this song sounds in Bluegrass style, but I like it.

Here is the info on the obscure song:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomorrow...ncing_Day

Super job!....but really I will hold an opening for you on Christmas eve.  :)

---

Wow, that song is awesome, James. I've never heard of it, but the words are great. I don't know, but I don't think that song could be converted to bluegrass or old time or much of anything. It's pretty unique (there's several choral versions on youtube)--I can't hear that song as anything but a choral type song.

Actually, I preached a few messages last Christmas based on some of the best carols, and one of them was God Rest Ye, so there's a great message in the song.

As for your Christmas program, I'm there. Just send me a plane ticket!

jamesd - Posted - 11/21/2012:  15:15:38

Very nice, enjoyed hearing those tunes.  Now I am ready for Christmas!

Frailinaway - Posted - 11/22/2012:  10:02:10

Jason, you've given many of us a great start for the Christmas season.  Thank you!

JanetB - Posted - 11/22/2012:  11:28:18

Never too early to begin the season.  Looking forward to more from you!

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 11/23/2012:  08:02:56

Dangit--I think I got the melody wrong in "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," specifically where the words go "Rejoice....rejoice..." Here's another take at it (plus I think I play it better this time).

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/O Come, O Come Emmanuel (2)

Common Tater - Posted - 11/25/2012:  16:04:10

It warmed my Anglican heart.  Thanks, Jason!