I love to throw a ukulele in my saddlebag and head off for a days ride. I felt I needed a compact songbook to take along, so began compiling a collection of ukulele arrangements. I choose the songs of the jazz era , a heyday for both song writing and bicycling. The songs chosen are perfectly suited for the vintage chic cyclist.
The songbook is intended for the use of cycling ukulele players and/or singers. It should be printed in A5 size and spiral bound to make it the perfect saddlebag songbook. If you are not familiar with the songs contained in the book try searching titles on ‘You Tube’.
The Songs
Accentuate The Positive
After You’ve Gone
Ain’t Misbehaving
Ain’t She Sweet
All I Do is Dream Of You
All Of Me
Anything Goes
Bei Mir Bist Du Schön
Besame Mucho
Blue Skies
Choo Choo Ch’boogie
Daisy Bell
Dance Me To The End Of Love
Don’t Fence Me In
Five Foot Two
Hilo Hattie
Houdini Never Hung Around In Bars
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire
I Love A Ukulele
I Wan’na Be Like You
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
I’ll See You In My Dreams
I’m Pau
If I Had You
In The Mood
It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing)
It Had To Be You
It’s Only A Paper Moon
Jada
Leaning On A Lamp Post
Love Is The Sweetest Thing
Mack The Knife
Minnie The Moocher
Moonglow
My Blue Heaven
My Melancholy Baby
Night And Day
Nobody knows You When You’re Down And Out
Noughts and Crosses
Pennies From Heaven
Roll Along Prairie Moon
She Tunes Her Ukulele GCEA
Shine On Harvest Moon
Singin’ In The Rain
Sway
Sweet Georgia Brown
The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
The Girl From Ipanema
The Glory of Love
The Hypnotist
The Sheik Of Araby
The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine
Till There Was You
Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Tonight You Belong To Me
Ukulele Lady
When I’m Cleaning Windows
Without My Walking Stick
Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart
NB: You may notice a couple of modern songs in the list, I included them because they are in the style and just great songs.
If you are a cyclist and would like a free copy of the “Saddlebag Songbook” then just leave a comment and I will email a link and password for the download page.
Best
Nipper
Hi There,
great idea and excellent choice of songs…how can I get the songbook?
Gratings from Italy
sararafelicita
This sounds brilliant – I’d love to be able to download this.
I would love to download a copy of this. I am both a ukulele player and a bicycle rider. What a great combination!
I can’t wait to see your songbook! It is just what I have been looking for. Thank you!
I am looking forward to downloading your songbook!
Hi Nipper
Yes, a link to the download would be nice. Have you any tips about carrying ukes on bikes. The saddle bag option looks precarious. On your back in a gig bag?
Am enjoying your site and photos! I am a cycling uke player and would enjoy your songbook…..thanks.
What a fantastic collection of songs! I would love to have access to your book.
Hello there,
sadly I don’t own a bike, I have one in mind which I’m saving up for, but I do own a uke which i love very much and would really love to download your songbook. Could you please ‘fix it for me’ to have access to the above, most excellently chosen, songs so i can play to my hearts content and dream of when I shall have a bike?
Thanks,
Elspeth
Sounds sweet! Would like a copy as welll.
I stumbled onto your blog through a blog called “Got A Ukulele” . As a somewhat novice ukulele player and a lifelong bicyclist, I was thrilled to see a blog that combined both of these passions. I myself have started collecting sheet music and would love to download your songbook. Thanks!
Great idea and great songs. I’d love to have a copy of the book.
(Really miss UkeCast BTW)
Hi,
What a great idea. I would love to download this.
What would you recommend me to buy for my first ukelele?
Regards and thanks,
Graham
Dear Nipper,
I’m a cyclist with a uke. I would love a link to download your songbook. Please email me if it is still available.
Thanks,
Dianna
UPDATE: I have now sent out links to all those waiting for songbooks.
@Steve Williams – The saddlebag option is fine so long as you have a Carradice longflap and you tie the handle of the uke case to the bags internal ties. I have carried many ukes many miles this way and not had a problem, however I now often just put ukes in my big Dutch (Basil) panniers, if you haven’t got a set they are worth every penny. I wouldn’t advise carrying anything on your back when cycling as it can be uncomfortable and will mess up the line of your jacket!
@Elspeth – I hope you now have a bicycle…If you are still looking go Pashley or Brompton, they are great bicycles! I would also advise you make sure you have mudguards, a chainguard/case, hub gears and if possible dynamo lights. The bike should also give an upright riding position.
@Brad – I miss the Ukecast too. Maybe it will return again one day…in the meantime I am hatching a plan for a Bicycle and Ukulele Podcast…but only time will tell if I manage to get it together.
@Graham – I would recommend the Makala mks as a great first uke, strap on some nygut strings and you will have a top notch instrument at very low cost.
@Everyone who commented – Thanks and happy strumming!
The book is still available to cycling ukulele players.
Hi there,
Your songbook sounds great! I would love to get a copy.
Thanks,
Theo
Hello, Yes, I too would like a copy of your book. How do I get it?
Teresa
I am a cycling banjo-lele player who would love to be able to download this songbook!
Hi
I am also a bike riding uke player. I love my recumbent three-wheel e-z rider tadpole… and my many ukes. If your songbook is still available, I would like to download it.
Thanks,
Jim
Hi Nipper,
Love the website and the TUSC songbooks. Can I trouble you for a link to download the B&U book too?
Many thanks
Bruce
Belfast, Maine
USA
I’ve really enjoyed this site! I bought my first tenor ukulele today. So stoked. I’ve been preparing to leave on my second major bike tour in Japan this April and I thought a ukulele would be the best travel instrument to bring along, next to a harmonica. The songbook would also be a great addition. Looking forward to the download! Cheers from Canada
I would love a copy. I am a cyclist and a ukulele teacher in Oregon. I love the fact that you have joined two of my favorite things on one page…
–Matt
As an avid uke player and cyclist, I’d love a copy of your book! Thanks and cheers
Paul
I may be a bit late to the game, but I would love a copy of this songbook — I’ve been struggling to find arrangements of a lot of the standards you have here!
Hi Nipper,
What a delightful and stylish concept!
I’m new to the Uke and if I’m not too late, I’d like to request a download link to your songbook.
This will marry well with an idea of a cycling picnic I have in mind.
Regards,
Ed Jackson
Hi, I have had to give up cycling now but I own and play the ukulele. I have just found your website through the Taunton Strummers site. I think the site is super so much good music. I love the ‘uke’ and have been playing for about a year now and enjoy it very much. I would love to be able to get a copy of your songbook and just imagine i’m on ‘me’ bike looking for a place to stop and play the uke.
Love the site keep it up.
Regards,
Mike.
Dear Nipper
I’d love a copy of the songbook. I’d also like to invite you to appear on The Bike Show, the bicycling radio programme that I produce and present.
We could go for a ride and you can explain why the bicycle and ukulele are the perfect match.
best wishes,
Jack
I ride a Trek “comfort” bike and love to pedal down the old Oregon Trail to the marsh overlook and take my uke to strum and sing. I’d love to have a copy of the songbook.
GREAT!!!! Thank you for replying.
I’ll print it immediately and start enjoing!
Thanks everyone for your comments…You should all have received the link and password via email.
To any new readers the book is still available for download, just leave a comment if you would like a copy.
I have also started work on book 2…