Three Chord Thursday: songs with non-English lyrics

We also celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday by ending our session with one of his most famous works. Flashback: this was how we started — at the beginning of the pandemic lockdown, a workshop followed by a performance in Zoom.

As we approach the end of 2020, let’s share three chord songs that either include non-English lyrics or originate outside the English-speaking world for Thursday 17th December 2020. As usual, register in advance to participate, unless you have already done so previously and have obtained the Zoom information. We welcome volunteers to lead songs, by requesting via this form. We are relaxing the usual one-hour time limit to allow a break and continuation for the second half.

For fun, wear something that either has a non-English word or words on it or shows it is of non-English origin.

Here are some suggestions, though not all are three chord songs. Bolded titles link to song sheets that can be easily transposed on that website. The number in brackets indicate the number of chords in the song.

1. 99 Red Balloons
2. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) – Andi R. (PA) in G (1-page PDF) [5]
3. Aloha Oe – Mark S. (CA) (1-page PDF) [4]
4. Amerikabrevet – Lennart B. (MA) [5]
5. Amsterdamse Grachten
6. Arirang
7. Autumn Leaves – Anne K. (MA), Sue B. (UK) (1-page PDF) [5]
8. Bei Mir Bist Du Schon – Pat B. (CT) (1-page PDF) [4]
9. Besame Mucho – (chord melody arrangement) (chord mel. arr.) – Bruce C. (MI) (6-page PDF) [5]
10. Chotto Matte Kudasai – Liane B. (HI) (1-page PDF) [5]
11. Despacito
12. The French Song – Henry P. (UK) (1-page PDF) (1-page PDF) [6]
13. Frere Jacques – Maureen D. (MA) , Anne (MA) in Chinese [1]
14. Funiculi Funicula – Uncle Rod (WA) (1-page PDF) [5]
15. Gangnam Style
16. Guantanamera – (1-page PDF) – [5]
17. Hakuna Matata
18. Havana – (chord melody arr.) (Bytown Ukulele versions) Tina J. (WA) (1-page PDF) [3]
19. Jasmine Flower (Mo Li Hua)
20. Jerusalema – Tricia Z. (MA) (3-page PDF in C)[4]
21. La Bamba
22. La Vie En Rose -in French Kathryn P. (MA) [6]
23. Lady Marmalade
24. Livin’ Vida Loca
25. Macarena
26. Ma’oz Tzur – Ken P. (NY) (1-page PDF) in C [5]
27. Mele Kalikimaka – Adrienne (TX) – tag opportunity
28. Michelle – The Beatles – Mike S. (FL)
29. Minatomachi Blues – Kyoshi I. (NH) (3-page PDF in Japanese) (2 page PDF) [3]
30. Ne Me Quitte Pas – Bruce B. (IT)
31. Never On Sunday – Τα παιδιά του Πειραιά – Ta Pedia tou Piraea (in Greek) – Paul M. (HI) (1-page PDF tabs) (4-page PDF song sheet) [4]
32. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien – Lyn G. (MA) – (1-page PDF) [5]
33. Pineapple Mango
34. Plaisir d’amour – Eve M. (TX) [4]
35. Psycho Killer
36. Que Sera Sera – Emily S. (FL) in G [6]
37. Sainta Maria Strela do Dia – Virginia K. (NY) (3-page PDF) in Dm [2]
38. Sakura
39. Shojoji no Tanuki
40. Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
41. Sukiyaki
42. That’s Amore – (1-page PDF) – Patty D. (MA) in G [6]
43. Volare – [7]
44. Yellow (in Chinese) – Anne K. (MA), Adrienne (TX) (1-page PDF in C) (2-page PDF in Chinese in C & G) (2-page PDF in G) [5]

The Line-up – last updated on 12/17/2020 at 1:40 pm EST

1. Frere Jacques – Maureen D. (MA) in French; Anne (MA) in Chinese [1]
2. Sainta Maria Strela do Dia – Virginia K. (NY) (3-page PDF) in Dm [2]
3. Minatomachi Blues – Kyoshi I. (NH) (3-page PDF in Japanese) (2 page PDF) [3]
4. Plaisir d’amour – Eve M. (TX) [4]
5. Aloha Oe – Mark S. (CA) (1-page PDF) [4]
6. Jerusalema – Tricia Z. (MA) (3-page PDF in C) [4]
7. Bei Mir Bist Du Schon – Pat B. (CT) (1-page PDF) [4]
8. Never On Sunday – Τα παιδιά του Πειραιά – Ta Pedia tou Piraea (in Greek) – Paul M. (HI) (1-page PDF tabs) (4-page PDF song sheet) [4]
9. Chotto Matte Kudasai – Liane B. (HI) (1-page PDF) [5]
10. Yellow (in Chinese) – Anne K. (MA), Adrienne (TX) (2-page PDF in Chinese in C & G) (2-page PDF in G) [5]
11. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien – Lyn G. (MA) – (1-page PDF) [5]
12. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) – Andi R. (PA) in G (1-page PDF) [5]
13. Amerikabrevet – Lennart B. (MA) (1-page JPG) [5]
14. Autumn Leaves – Anne K. (MA), Sue B. (UK) (1-page PDF) [5]
15. Ma’oz Tzur – Ken P. (NY) (1-page PDF) in C [5]
16. Besame Mucho – (chord melody arrangement) (chord mel. arr.) – Bruce C. (MI) (6-page PDF) [5]
17. La Vie En Rose –in French Kathryn P. (MA) [6]
18. The French Song – Henry P. (UK) (1-page PDF) [6]
19. Que Sera Sera – Emily S. (FL) in G [6]
20. Ne Me Quitte Pas – Bruce B. (IT) (3-page PDF in Em) [6]
21. That’s Amore – (1-page PDF) – Patty D. (MA) in G [6]
22. Mele Kalikimaka – Adrienne (TX) , Paul M. (HI) (1-page PDF) in C [7]
23. Michelle – The Beatles – Mike S. (FL) [8]
24. Ode to Joy – from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony – original version in the key of D major
    (1-page PDF with melody notes, tabs, chords & diagrams, German lyrics)
    (1-page PDF with bass line in notation & tabs for low G-uke)
    (1-page PDF with countermelody in notation & tabs for high G-uke)
    (1-page PDF with melody, countermelody, bass in notation, chord names, no tabs)
    — [4] – Beethoven’s 250th Birthday today – (12/17/1770 – 3/26/1827) (Blog post of Ode to Joy with more sheet music and song sheets)

Three Chord Thursdays are free for anyone anywhere in the world to join as participant and/or performer.