Folksinger Ed McCurdy wrote “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream” back in 1950, and more than seventy years later it’s a dream that most of us would still like to come true. It’s the theme song for the Peace Corps and has been recorded by many artists such as Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, and John Denver.
Tag: Johnny Cash
Danny Boy – #Ukulele Strum-Along with Chords and Lyrics
The lyrics to “Danny Boy” were written in 1910 by Frederic Weatherly to the tune of the traditional Irish tune “Londonderry Air.” It’s reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart several times by different artists including Conway Twitty, Andy Williams, Jackie Wilson, and Ray Price.
Sunday Morning Coming Down – #Ukulele Travis Picking with Chords and Lyrics
Kris Kristofferson wrote “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and released it on his album, “Kristofferson,” but before his release it was recorded and released by Ray Stevens and reached the Top 100 on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart as well as the Hot 100. The biggest success for the song came for Johnny Cash in 1970 when his live version became a #1 single and won the Country Music Association award for Song of the Year.
I played it fingerstyle in the key of C.
This song uses “Travis Picking” fingerstyle accompaniment on the ukulele. Many of my songs use the same technique and it’s simple once you get the hang of it, although it may take quite a bit of practicing it slowly to master it.
The first three example patterns on my fingerstyle tutorial show you how to play it. Here’s a link:
I’ve also created a separate category just for the Travis Picking style where you can find other songs that I play in the same style. You can find it here:
Matthew 24 – #Ukulele Strum-Along with Chords and Lyrics
I first heard Johnny Cash sing this song at a Billy Graham crusade sometime in the 1970s and I learned it at that time. It’s maybe more timely today than it was back then. In later versions there are a couple lines in the 2nd verse that are different. I’m including an example of each below.
I’m not sure that Johnny Cash wrote this song, but I’m assuming he did and I couldn’t find any info online contrary to that.
Before anybody says “What’s the strumming pattern,” the song is in 4/4 time so any common 4/4 pattern is fine. I just did what sounded right to me at the time, and it’s by no means THE strumming pattern.
Wayfaring Stranger – Fingerstyle #Ukulele with Chords & Lyrics
Wayfaring Stranger is a popular folk song that likely originated in the early 19th century. It’s been recorded by many including notable versions by Johnny Cash, Rhiannon Giddens, Doc Watson, and Trace Adkins. I played it in the key of Am, with Travis picking fingerstyle accompaniment (alternating thumb).
This song uses “Travis Picking” fingerstyle accompaniment on the ukulele. Many of my songs use the same technique and it’s simple once you get the hang of it, although it may take quite a bit of practicing it slowly to master it.
The first three example patterns on my fingerstyle tutorial show you how to play it. Here’s a link:
https://ezfolk.com/fingerstyle-ukulele-tutorial/
I’ve also created a separate category just for the Travis Picking style where you can find other songs that I play in the same style. You can find it here:
https://ezfolk.com/category/travis-picking/
Long Black Veil – #Ukulele Strum-Along with Chords & Lyrics
Long Black Veil was written by Marijohn Wilkin and Danny Dill in 1959 and recorded that same year by country singer Lefty Frizzell. After it was written Dill called it an “instant folksong.” Lefty’s record reached #6 on the country charts, but over the years it has become even more popular, being recorded by hundreds of artists including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews Band, Joan Baez, and The Band even performed it at Woodstock in 1969. It was written from the man’s perspective, but in 1960 in an unreleased version, co-writer Marijohn Wilkin recorded a different version from the female perspective.