What country is this tune from?

[Gene Oh]

I have played a song called "A Lighthouse Keeper" as below on my tremolo harp. The key is G.


But I have found the following Youtube video.


The same tune is used in this video and the title of the song is “Golden Rule”.
It seems this tune was introduced to Japan and Korea a long time ago, and they have changed the title of the song to “A Lighthouse Keeper”.

1. My question: What country is this tune from?
2. Second question: What do you think of the vibrato I tried in the second stanza?
In the first stanza, I used both reeds(top-row and bottom-row reeds) and the tongue-blocking technique. But in the second stanza, I used single reeds (top-row reeds only) with some vibrato. This vibrato was from the belly, not from hands or lips, etc. Does it add anything good to the song compared to the first stanza where I didn't use any vibrato?

Gene from NZ

[brorat]

Beautifully done Gene!  What progress you’re making!!
I thought both verses were well done. The second verse (with just the right amount of vibrato) was a good contrast to the first verse and complimented it nicely.

Very pretty song and well played!!

[Gene Oh]

Beautifully done Gene!  What progress you’re making!!
I thought both verses were well done. The second verse (with just the right amount of vibrato) was a good contrast to the first verse and complimented it nicely.

Very pretty song and well played!!

Hi Brorat,
Your words of encouragement are an early Christmas gift to me! I admire your Chromatic harp skill. I wish I could emulate your beautiful legato.
Cheers,
Gene

[John Broecker]

The tune's origin?

I can smell the mossy peat of Ireland, and watch the
ocean waves crashing against the western shores of
the Emerald Isle.

That's only a guess.

It could also be wintry northwestern Scotland, on the
cliffs, the winds at your back. Played with the (bag)pipes,
bonnie lad, the pipes.

Or, It may be Erin, Wisconsin (just joking).

THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER, by British singer Sam Smith,
2020:

You've played your recordings magically, with simplicity &
warmth. You might try putting the single reed melody 1st,
then the double reed version. The single reed melody will
state the theme, set the mood, and the double reed melody
will embellish it.

(3-WAY) THE GOLDEN RULE,written by Biffy Clyro, 2020
for the USA comedy group, The Lonely Island, with
Justin Timberlake & Lady Gaga

I don't know if these 2 songs have the same melody. I don't
know if the listed composers wrote the tune(s) played on your
performances. The information was from Wikipedia, with no
audio or video playbacks.

Where the Lighthouse has a mysterious, moody and
"far-away" feel, the Golden Rule seems overpowered by
the human voice. We lose the beautiful melody, buried
under the lyrics.

You might try combining the 2 songs: use the single reed
melody as an introduction, then sing the lyrics solo, then
play the double reed melody.

Best Regards, Stay Healthy

John Broecker

[Age]

Dunno! But it sounds U.K.'ish to me.

[Gene Oh]

Hi John and Age,
Oh, you are such wonderful teachers, my music "mentors" if I am allowed to use the word.
Thanks for your guess. I may call it a British(Irish, Scottish etc) folk tune.
Seasons' greetings.
Gene

[Age]

Keep it up, bro! Sounds good!

[Scotty]

I'm sure John's correct, Gene. It sounds definitely like an Irish/Scots song originating from the shores of where I grew up,
probably first played on pipes and then taken and adapted to be a Christian song. Old melodies were often taken by
Missionaries and had words added to them to suit their needs. Occasionally those old melodies whose origins are lost to time
began as poems (some even by Robert Burns - the poet laureate of Scotland) whose writings often had to be 'translated' for
those who didn't understand the broad Scots in which he wrote his poetry. I've no idea if this began as one of his - but I'm
quite sure it's either Scots or Irish.

scotty

[Gene Oh]

I'm sure John's correct, Gene. It sounds definitely like an Irish/Scots song originating from the shores of where I grew up,
probably first played on pipes and then taken and adapted to be a Christian song. Old melodies were often taken by
Missionaries and had words added to them to suit their needs. Occasionally those old melodies whose origins are lost to time
began as poems (some even by Robert Burns - the poet laureate of Scotland) whose writings often had to be 'translated' for
those who didn't understand the broad Scots in which he wrote his poetry. I've no idea if this began as one of his - but I'm
quite sure it's either Scots or Irish.

scotty

Hi Scotty,
Thanks for your input. I'd rather call this a "Scotty" tune.
Happy holidays!
Gene

[Scotty]

I wouldn't want to insult the Irish - if in fact it's actually one of theirs,but thank you! - and I'll take it as that.
My ancestry IS actually Irish since my father's family must have originated in Ireland. But along with my much
more recently discovered cousins, he had a very broad Scots accent and supported 'the Celtics' (Scottish Football
Team) till the end of his days. Despite my mother's non-Scots origins I still consider myself ALL Scottish. 

Have a lovely day. You played this so nicely. I've never mastered the tremolo although I used to play some Scots
airs using my double-sided Hohners and even bought Donald Black's special 'Highland' tremolo for that purpose.
One of these days I might try again after seeing and hearing your playing.

scotty

[Aluvsupreme]

Really good Gene .         Brian

[Gene Oh]

Really good Gene .         Brian

Many thanks for your encouraging comment.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Gene