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!

This Tune is on one of the Albion Country Bands albums. There it is followed by Jenny Lind Polka

North West Clog Dancing practice season.
Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL0rU1TIhJ0

play video

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 :|

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 :|