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Sometimes when I research a children’s song, I find a long, sometimes confusing (or even concerning) history. Sometimes I find almost nothing. “Mr. Sun” is one of the ‘nothing’ songs.
The tune first gained popularity alongside the growth of the phonograph, so that puts it back at the beginning of the 20th century. But aside from some early copyright filings from around the same time (by companies, no individuals), there really seems to be no record of where the song came from.
Best guess is that “Mr. Sun” is like a lot of the folk tunes I write about. It doesn’t really belong to anyone. It’s a melody and a set of lyrics that spread around and became somewhat ubiquitous because it’s catchy. And bonus, kids really like it.
“Oh Mr. Sun” Playing Tips
“Oh Mr. Sun” is a bouncy song in 4/4. It has a playful rhythm that alternates between quick little eighth note passages and open space provided by rests and longer notes. Don’t let the three-note pickup measure throw you.
Make sure to emphasize the bounce as you play. If you play the song strictly on the beat as written, it loses a lot of its fun. Going off book and playing a song the way you want to play it might seem like a more advanced technique, but it’s something I feel should be encouraged early so that it becomes a natural part of how you play.
Experiment with putting little pauses and emphasis in different places as you play. Try singing it as you play the notes to get a feel for where to vary things. Play the song like a swinging jazz tune, and then switch it up and play it straight like a solemn hymn. It can be a little different every time you do it, and it’s allowed to sound bad sometimes. Have fun!
Click the link or the ‘Download’ button below to see the sheet music if your browser doesn’t display the embedded PDF.
Don’t have a low G uke? Not a problem. I’ve included a standard (high G) TAB for this song as well. If you are looking to sing, the chords of the high G TAB make this song more comfortable for me, and they still work on a low G uke! Find the link at the bottom on the post. Happy picking!
“Oh Mr. Sun” Low G Sheet Music Download
“Oh Mr Sun” High G Sheet Music Download
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