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| The first 3 lines of the clear original MS. Note that Holmes, the compiler, had bought a 5-line music manuscript book, and had to rule in an extra line. |
The preceding version of Walsingham in the book (uke arrangement here) is a bit of a dog’s breakfast, so I was pleasantly surprised by this piece. There is the usual problem with tunes in D or Dm on the ukulele, as you tend to run out of low notes, but I've done what I can.
This piece diverges more from the original air than do most arrangements of Walsingham – even at the beginning it has some unexpected harmonies. It is both interesting and not too challenging (if you keep to 60 bpm).
It is more tuneful than most, and quite contrapuntal in places. Where I have heard hints of the campanella effect, I have scored accordingly. Even the, apparently obligatory, variation with semi-quaver divisions has a clear melody and articulation, and is not merely a stream of scale fragments. You will gather that I like it. I hope you do.
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