Lockdown Blues
I keep playing my ukulele
Working on my routine daily
Waitin’ for the news
To take me out of the lockdown blues
Isn’t it surreal - and a little bit shocking - that it’s been five years since Covid first rattled our world and our everyday existence as we knew it?
Amongst the challenges and chaos, the Strumbrellas managed to keep plucky, creating three original and imaginative songs to strum away the stressful situation.
The three songs Lockdown Blues, Christmas Rocks and Umbrella of Hope, are the Strumbrellas upbeat and uplifting melodies that deserve some more recognition for raising a cheer in troubling times.
Strumbrellas member Stevie said: “We went on a song writing course with a songwriter called Andy, that gave us the confidence to start writing our own songs on Zoom during Covid."
Strumbrellas member John added: “It was us trying to get the good things out of Covid. When we first started, we hadn’t heard of Zoom before, we thought we’d never get our heads around it as we’re not technically minded, but it wasn’t so hard once you got used to it.
"Now Zoom is a new way of connecting, which is good when you think of those who are ill and may not be able to leave the house.”
When it came to constructing the melodies Strumbrella’s member Paul and his partner proved instrumental. Paul would compile together the images, melody and singing to create the cheerful little videos you can enjoy today.
Richard, a fellow Stumbrella’s member, reminisced: “It does seem like such a long time ago now, but it does bring back vivid memories. We all felt helpless during lockdown but one of the things we could do is go on Zoom and play together.”
Umbrella of Hope
On the banks of the Mersey,
Life flows through the streets
Within a song our hearts
A city rises to the beat
From light-hearted and comical lyrics about stockpiling loo roll to heartfelt sentiments about hope blossoming alongside nature, the Strumbrellas encapsulated a feeling that was shared among many.
Five years on, the Strumbrellas pick up their ukuleles and perform for us Umbrella of Hope.
And although we may now be free from lockdown the lyrics still hold such relevance and meaning which we can carry with us and out into the world.
Umbrella of Hope
We stand together under the Umbrella of Hope,
As we wait for the clouds to pass,
And we sing of the joy of life,
Of all the things that make us wanna say thanks
Strumbrellas is a peer led and beginner friendly ukulele group that takes place fortnightly 2 - 3.30pm at the Umbrella. If you're interested in becoming a member tel 0151 708 0415 or email: wellbeingcentres@pss.org.uk