Traditional Christmas Carol
by Ehukai Teves
The lyrics of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” author unknown, are reputed to date back to the 15th Century, making it one of the oldest carols. It was first published in 1833, when it appeared in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. It is believed that this carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen, who earned additional money this way during the Christmas season.
 
God rest ye, merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour,
Was born …

As played by Maggie Sansone
From A Scottish Christmas for Fiddle, MB 96784BCD, by Bonnie Rideout
 
This tune book/CD combination published by Mel Bay has many lovely tunes. The CD presents the hammered dulcimer in an ensemble setting with fiddle, pipes and guitar. Mel Bay author Maggie Sansone plays hammered dulcimer the “A Scottish Christmas” recording. The CBS “Sunday Morning” show said of the CD, “One of the best selling CDs of the season, the music is ancient and infectious.”
Listen to Maggie Sansone play from the CD “Yoeman’s Carol” and “Sound of …

Composed by Isaac Watts and Arranged for Mountain Dulcimer by Linda Brockinton
The composer of “Joy to the World” was Isaac Watts (1674-1748). He was one of the great hymn writers, and the first to produce a modern-style hymnbook. A prolific and popular hymn writer, he was recognized as the “Father of English Hymnody,” credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in use today and have been translated into many languages. Not only did he write hymns, he wrote many books in the science and theology field. He …

Arranged for Hammered Dulcimer
from Bluegrass on Hammered Dulcimer, MB20807
by Jeanne Page  
 
“Flop Eared Mule” is a popular old-time and bluegrass acoustic jam session tune. Some fiddlers call it the “Blue Bell Polka.” The form of this tune is called a “cotillion,” which means you always end the tune with the “A” part. There is an interesting key change in this tune, from the key of D Major to the Key of A Major in the “B” part.
 
Jeanne Page offers below two arrangements of “Flop Eared Mule” from her Mel Bay book …

Arranged for Mountain Dulcimer
by Lois Hornbostel
 
The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) began when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. It was the inspiration for many Irishmen to immigrate to seek a fortune. This tune is from that era.
“Off to California” is arranged here in mountain dulcimer tablature from Lois Hornbostel’s Mel Bay book Dulcimer Fiddle Tunes. A recording of the arrangement follows. Learning the melody first by listening can help you play the tablature. This is a play-along recording. After practicing the tablature to …