Miller of Dee ( aka The Miller of the Dee' ) - piano version by Phillip Sear

My take on this well-known English folksong from the Chester area (although I think the tune has Welsh origins). The words are about a jolly but philosophical miller, but the tune is in the miner key, and it is the melancholic aspect that I try to bring out in my expansive version.
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Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano
• folk
• English
• Welsh
• Llydaw

[TheThirdRonnie]

theres a second and third verse

[PSearPianist]

@TheThirdRonnie That's right - of course this was only intended as a piano piece based on the tune, and would not necessarily follow the number of verses of the song.

[AlysonxWonderland]

There was a jolly miller once,lived on the river dee

He laughed and sang from morn till night,no lark as blith as he.

And tis the burden of his song forever used to be..

I care for nobody no not I ,

If nobody cares for me

[PSearPianist]

@AlysonxWonderland That's right!

[MrsMcFly1000]

i have to sing this for my exam in a couple of weeks!!! Didn't know it was so popular with exams!!!

[PSearPianist]

@MrsMcFly1000 I have certainly accompanied singers doing this for exams. Good luck in yours!

[MrsMcFly1000]

@PSearPianist Thanks a lot!! Will use this video do practice with!!

[PSearPianist]

@BenjaminDLarsen Thank you - and the very best of luck for your recital!

[BenjaminDLarsen]

I like how all the singers say they HAVE to sing it for their exams. I'm singing this for my recital because it's so hauntingly beautiful. I'm using the Benjamin Britten arrangement. Lots of strange dissonance. I love it!

Thank you for posting this. Very expressive, I love the colors you paint with it. I'm going to keep listening.

[TiaTseng]

i have to sing this for my singing exam ,too!

[PSearPianist]

@SuperBunnyhop1 Thanks for your kind comment, and may I wish your daughter every success in her exam. I sometimes accompany singing exams, and this song often comes up. Of course I use a simple accompaniment from a book for that purpose!

[SuperBunnyhop1]

How beautiful .Thank you.My daughter has to sing this for her singing exam.

[PSearPianist]

Thank you for your comment. I wish you luck with your exam. My version is quite free, but I'm pleased if it gives you some ideas on interpreting the song. If you are singing it, the important thing is to convey the story in the way you sing and the expression you put into the verses.

[vixstar999]

fanku 4 bein thee onli person 2 put a piano version of this song on cos i need it 4 grade 2 singin exam

[PSearPianist]

Thanks - would that afternoon rain was a bit rarer here!

[BocaFriend]

Stunning. We're enjoying a rare afternoon rainfall and your interpretation completes the ambience evocative of a true brown study.

[PSearPianist]

Thank you - I will try to take a look!

[99sparso]

pleasure to listen to.

i to am i pianist. yet not near as good.

i have some vids if your bored.

[PSearPianist]

Thank you so much! The Welsh origins are per Wikipedia, although I'm sure I probably have that info somewhere in a book at home.

[Babejuda]

Beautiful and sad. I wonder, what is in this tune that makes you think its origin is in Wales? I liked most around 2:12 and on till 2:40. and 3:48 till 4:22. Those moments were really magical to my own taste.