wonder as i wander

Normally when I’m in the rough stages of a new song or cover, I like to share it with my roommate or a friend for feedback before I start making clearer choices about interpretation. Now I’m gonna attempt podcasting these early sketches, in the hopes of gaining a wider range of responses.

Eeek.

Lately I’ve been digging up old traditionals that I’ve grown up with – songs I sang in choirs, folk songs my mom used to sing at bedtime, melodies from films I grew up with and never forgot. Here’s the latest one I’ve been working on: it’s a Christmas carol called “I Wonder as I Wander.” (I just recently learned that it’s an Appalachian melody – funny, I’ve stumbled upon several amazing soul-rockin’ tunes lately that all happen to be Appalachian…)

I hope for this to be the first in a series of Works in Progress: Folk Tunes and Traditionals from Sarah’s Living Room.

I recorded this in the same session that I first plucked out the chord progression, so it’s totally in the rough: the chords are not at all yet in my fingers in this recording, and I’m still uncertain of the words. But it’s still a kick-ass song! Take a listen.

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