The Babe of Bethlehem on Banjo

My arrangement of one of the greatest Christmas shape note hymns. Written by William Walker and found, among other places, in the Southern Harmony Hymnal. Here are two verses on a fretless Lowly Mountain Banjos tackhead.

[@ConorBerry]

Love the song. Love the tackhead!

[@KofiNateDogg]

I just finished talking with a talented young priest Qes Haile Iyesus on this Good Friday about how the Ethiopian Kerar doesn’t sound all that foreign since the Gourd Banjo is a foundational African-American folk instrument and with its bowlback it has a very similar timbre to Ethiopian lyres like the Kerar and Begena, which are central to Ethiopian Orthodox Church hymns. The ‘Young Orthodox Church’ has a selection of hymns translated into English that you might find interesting, and don’t be surprised if someday an Ethiopian comes your way with a worn-out Kerar or Begena in need of some TLC.

[@LowlyMountainBanjos]

I love finding obscure hymns like that. If you could direct me towards those that you mentioned I’d be very grateful. Especially if there are Christmas hymns because I’m thinking of putting together a collection on an album this year. The other information you mentioned is very interesting. Thank you.

[@KofiNateDogg]

@@LowlyMountainBanjos ‘Jacob in Beersheba’

[@LowlyMountainBanjos]

@@KofiNateDogg Thank you!