Key signature: Gmajor
Submitted on January 20th 2009 by Mix O'Lydian.
This tune has been added to 6 tunebooks.
X: 1
T: Uncle Bernard's
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
|:A2|GA Bc|d3/2e/2 d/2c/2 B|c3/2d/2 c/2B/2 A|B3/2c/2 B A|
GA Bc|d3/2e/2 dg|f/2e/2 d/2c/2 B A| G2:|
|:Bd|gg fe|d3/2e/2 d/2c/2 B|c3/2d/2 c/2B/2 A|B3/2c/2 B d|
gg fe|d3/2e/2 dg|f/2e/2 d/2c/2 B A| G2:|
Uncle Bernard's Polka
A tune that I've known for many years. A simple melody, but one that somehow "punches above its weight".
Strictly speaking, a 4/4 polka (there are such things!) but I've had to notate it as 2/4 to avoid having to submit it as a reel - which clearly it is not.
I've used G major for this submission, but any major key (e.g. G, D) will do.
The lead note is of special significance, as it is played with a very heavy emphasis - not only when you start the tune, but with each subsequent repeat of it.
Do any of you sessioneers remember Simon Knight? (Died 2001). A very nice box player, with a good repertoire. He lived initially in London (England) and later moved to Wells (Somerset, England). Very fond of visiting Ireland, and always came back with lots of "new" tunes.
http://www.m-c-g.org.uk/songbook/index.htm
I didn't learn this tune from Simon, but I always associate it with him. He was fond of using it for the Circassian circle at the end of barn dances.
He didn't set it with any other tunes - he just started it G, then cycled it though all the various major keys.
And with loads of "welly" on that lead note, and a big beaming smile on his face when doing so!
A great character, Simon. And somone who hated any form of "political correctness" (tune-related, or otherwise). Good on him!
# Posted on January 20th 2009 by Mix O'Lydian
Albion Country Band
This Tune is on one of the Albion Country Bands albums. There it is followed by Jenny Lind Polka
# Posted on January 25th 2009 by Ranks
"Uncle Bernard's Polka" - putting in a bit of practice -
North West Clog Dancing practice season.
Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL0rU1TIhJ0
# Posted on May 22nd 2011 by ceolachan
2/4 - 4/4
At the usual tempo this is often taken, despite being tagged a polka, it could also just as well be transcribed as 4/4, as some folks do, for example, this transcription given again but both ways ~
X: 1
T: Uncle Bernard's
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
|: A2 |\
GA Bc | d>e d/c/B | c>d c/B/A | B>c BA |
GA Bc | d>e dg | f/e/d/c/ BA | G2 :|
|: Bd |\
gg fe | d>e d/c/B | c>d c/B/A | B>c Bd |
gg fe | d>e dg | f/e/d/c/ BA | G2 :|
M: 4/4
|: A4 |\
G2 A2 B2 c2 | d3 e dc B2 | c3 d cB A2 | B3 c B2 A2 |
G2 A2 B2 c2 | d3 e d2 g2 | fe dc B2 A2 | G4 :|
|: B2 d2 |\
g2 g2 f2 e2 | d3 e dc B2 | c3 d cB A2 | B3 c B2 d2 |
g2 g2 f2 e2 | d3 e d2 g2 | fe dc B2 A2 | G4 :|
# Posted on May 22nd 2011 by ceolachan
"Uncle Bernard's Polka" - a few other possibilities
X: 2
T: Uncle Bernard's
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
|: D2 |\
GG/A/ B>c | dB d/c/B | cA c/B/A | B/c/B/A/ GD |
G>A Bc | d>e dg | f/e/d/c/ BA | G2 :|
|: Bd |\
ga/g/ fe | d>e dB | c>d cA | B>c B/c/d/B/ |
gg f>e | de dg | f/e/d/c/ BA | G2 :|
& some other possibilities, and amalgam of other versions -
X: 3
T: Uncle Bernard's
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
|: G>A Bc | d>e d/c/B | c>d c/B/A | BG A>D |
G2 Bc | d2 dg | fd c/B/A | G2 G2 :|
|: g2 fe | d2 d/c/B | c2 c/B/A | BG Ad |
g/f/g/a/ g/f/e | d>G dg | f/e/d/c/ B/c/A/G/ | G2 G2 :|
# Posted on May 22nd 2011 by ceolachan