The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

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[COMMENT1] [COMMENT2] 

JOHAN - JOHN

 

 

Notation Note: The tunes below are recorded in what is called “abc notation.” They can easily be converted to standard musical notation via highlighting with your cursor starting at “X:1” through to the end of the abc’s, then “cutting-and-pasting” the highlighted notation into one of the many abc conversion programs available, or at concertina.net’s incredibly handy “ABC Convert-A-Matic” at

http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html 

 

**Please note that the abc’s in the Fiddler’s Companion work fine in most abc conversion programs. For example, I use abc2win and abcNavigator 2 with no problems whatsoever with direct cut-and-pasting. However, due to an anomaly of the html, pasting the abc’s into the concertina.net converter results in double-spacing. For concertina.net’s conversion program to work you must remove the spaces between all the lines of abc notation, so that they are single-spaced, with no intervening blank lines. This being done, the F/C abc’s will convert to standard notation nicely. Or, get a copy of abcNavigator 2 – its well worth it.   [AK]

 

 

 

JOHAN ELIZABETH JAMIESON’S FAVOURITE.  Scottish, Reel. Scotland, Shetland Islands. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. Composed by Shetland fiddler and composer Ronnie Jamieson. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 181, pg. 115. HRMCD008, Da Fustra – “A Shetland Dance.”

 

JOHAN PA SNIPPEN. Scandinavian, Schottische. A popular folk melody among the Scandinavian community in northern Wisconsin (Leavy).

           

JOHN A. CAMERON'S JIG. Canadian, Jig. C Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Messer (Anthology of Favorite Fiddle Tunes), 1980; No. 146, pg. 95.

           

JOHN A. MACDONALD. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AB. Composed by Cape Breton fiddler and composer Dan R. MacDonald (1911-1976). Cameron (Trip to Windsor), 1994; pg. 8.

           

JOHN ALAN CAMERON’S REEL. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. D Major. Standard tuning. ABB. Composed by fiddler Jerry Holland (Inverness, Cape Breton) in honor of Nova Scotia musician John Alan Cameron. Cranford (Jerry Holland’s), 1995; No. 90, pg. 27.

                       

JOHN ALLAN’S JIG. Canadian, Jig. Canada, Cape Breton. Composed by Dan Hugh McEachern. The tune is used by Stan Chapman as a beginning fiddle tune for teaching.

                       

JOHN ALEX FRANCIS MACLELLAN’S REEL. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. Composed by Inverness, Cape Breton, fiddler Jerry Holland (b. 1955) in honor of a great old-style Cape Breton fiddler. Odyssey ORCS 1051, Jerry Holland – “Fiddler’s Choice” (1998).

           

JOHN ANDERSON MY JO. Scottish, Air and Country Dance Tune (4/4 time). A Minor. Standard tuning. One part (Howe, O’Farrell): AABB' (Alburger): ABC (Aird). Kidson (1915) asserts the tune comes from "remote antiquity," meaning in this case the 16th or 17th century. Mary W. Stuart dates the words and tune to about 1560, and relates that the hero of the ditty was traditionally supposed to "have been the town-piper of Kelso and a very gay dog." Alburger (1983) finds “John Anderson” in the Agnes Hume MS (1704), which includes "the earliest Scottish descriptions of a country dance with music, (in which the tune) in the original is written out completely four times," but Emmerson and others find earlier, prototype, versions in lute manuscripts such as the Rowallan (c. 1612‑28) and Skene (1615‑20). In the 18th century it was printed in Alexander Stuart's Musick for .. published around the year 1726. “John Anderson” is called for twice as the vehicle for songs in Allan Ramsay's Tea-Table Miscellany (1724), however, many different sets of lyrics were set to it including some famously bawdy songs as well as Robert Burns' famous lyrics, contributed to James Johnson's Scots Musical Museum (vol. iii, 1790). The melody retained its popularity and became a favorite song of the early 19th century, at least in Lowland Scots centers, records Emmerson (1971), who notes it (probably with the Burns lyrics attached) was among those selected by Queen Victoria for John Wilson's recital during her 1842 visit to Taymouth Castle (Wilson was the foremost professional singer of Scots songs of the time).

***

There are reportedly some forty variants of the tune, which can be found in England (e.g. "Pauls' Steeple," "I am the Duke of Norfolk"), in Wales to Welsh words ("Yn Nyfrfryn Clwyd" {The Vale of Clyde}), in Ireland and Scotland with Gaelic and English lyrics ("Cruiskeen Lawn"), in Sweden (see Macfarlane), and in America as "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again." Cazden (et al, 1982) points out that writers differ greatly on which tunes should be considered related to each other and which should be considered as separate and distinct melodies.  William Chappell claimed “John Anderson my jo” as English in provenance in his Popular Music of the Olden Time (1853, Appendix, pg. 770), believing it to be a modification of “Paul’s Steeple/I am the Duke of Norfolk” (see abc X:2, below). John Glen (Early Scottish Melodies, 1900) disputes this and critiques Chappell’s claim which he says is based on the appearance of “Paul’s Steeple” in John Playford’s Dancing Master (1651). Chappell, says Glenn, cannot back-date a tune simply because the title refers to an actual incident a century previous (the steeple of St. Pauls, London, was destroyed by lightning in 1561). Further, Chappell seriously miss-dated the Scottish Skene manuscript, contends Glen, and was “perfunctory and misleading” in his treatment of the Skene and other Scottish manuscripts (see abc X:3, below, for the Skene tune). Glen also is suspicious of Chappell’s allusion to “Cruiskeen Lawn” but wisely leaves it the Irish to defend themselves against English usurpation of that melody.

***

Lyrics to the tune generally depict attempts to entice or a frustrated complaint with the protagonist:

***

John Anderson, my jo, cum in as ze gae by,

And ze sall get a sheip's heid well baken in a pye;

Well baken in a pye, and the haggis in a pat;

John Anderson, my jo, cum in, and ze's get that.

***

From the Merry Muses:

***

John Anderson, my jo John, I wonder what you mean,

Ye’re goin’ on the spree John, and stayin’ oot at e’en.

***

Ye’re going to Lucky Fill the Stoups, ye meet wi’ Cooper Will,

Ye sit and booze like silly gowks, and aye the other gill.

***

David Herd’s collection of Scottish Songs and Heroic Ballads (1776) gives the verse:

***

When I was a wee thing, and just like an elf,

All the meat that e’er I gat, I laid upon the shelf.

The rottens and the mice, they fell into a strife,

They wadnae let my meat alane till I gat a wife.

***

Aird (Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs), vol. II, 1783; Nos. 167 & 168, pgs. 61-62. Alburger (Scottish Fiddlers and Their Music), 1983; Ex. 13, pg. 34. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 122. O’Farrell (Pocket Companion, vol. III), c. 1808; pg. 52.

X:1

T:John Anderson My Jo

M:2/4

L:1/8

S:Aird, vol. II (1782)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Minor

G | EAAB | c2 cd | BGG>A | G3 A/G/ | EAAB | cBcd | edcd | e3 || f |

edcd | efge | dcBc | d2 cd | ecdB | cABe | EAA^G | A3 || g |

eaab | c’2 c’d’ | bgga | g2 ag | eaab | c’2 ba | bgee | e3 g/f/ |

ecgc | c’cgc | GABc | d2 cd | ecdB | cABe | EAA^G | A3 ||

X:2

T:I am the Duke of Norfolk or Pauls Steeple

M:2/4

L:1/8

B:Playford – Dancing Master (1651)

K:G Minor

B2|B>AG>A|B2B c/B/|AF FF|F2 FF|GG GA|(Bc/B/) AG|d2d2 |d3 c|

BB Bc|d2 cB|cc cc|c2 c(B/c/)|dd cB|AG (Ac)|B2G2|G3||

X:3

T:John Anderson my Jo

M:C
L:1/8

S:Skene Manuscript (1615-1620)

K:G Dorian

A2|G2F2G2A2|B6 c2|A2F2F2F2|F6 A2|G2F2G2A2|B6 B2|B2A2B2c2|d8|

d2f2d2c2|B2cd2d4|c3d c2B2|A4 B2c2|d2c2B2A2|G2A2=B2c2|d2G2G2G2|G6||

                                   

JOHN ANDERSON'S ELDEST/AULDEST DAUGHTER. Scottish, Strathspey or Quickstep. A Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. Published by Neil Gow in the 1790's. Williamson seems to credit him with composorship, although his name does not appear with the tune in Carlin's collection. Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 570 (listed as a quickstep). Williamson (English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish Fiddle Tunes), 1976; pg. 60 (listed as a strathspey).

                       

JOHN ANGUS. Scottish, Reel. E Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 277.

X:1

T:John Angus

L:1/8

M:C|

R:Reel

B:Stewart-Robertson – The Athole Collection (1884)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E Major

EBGB EBeg|bgfe fcce|EBGB EBeg|bgfg e/e/e e2:|

e/f/g/a/ be gebe|dBfB aBfB|e/f/g/a/ be gebe|cagf e/e/e e2|

e/f/g/a/ be gebe|dBfB aBfB|egfa gbag|f>e f<g e/e/e e2||

                       

JOHN ANGUS BEATON STRATHSPEY. Canadian, Strathspey. Canada; Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island. A Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by Mabou Coal Mines, Cape Breton, fiddler Kinnon Beaton. Source for notated version: Allan MacDonald (b. c. 1950, Bangor, North-East Kings County, Prince Edward Island) [Perlman]. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 193. Rounder 7011, "The Beatons of Mabou: Scottish Violin Music from Cape Breton" (1978).

           

JOHN ARSCOTT OF TETCOTT. AKA and see "Difyrrwch Gwyr Dufi." English. England, Devonshire. The tune predates by 75 years the Welsh version "Difyrrwch Gwyr Dufi."

           

JOHN BAIN'S SISTER'S WEDDING. Scottish, Jig. A Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 3; No. 287, pg. 31.

X:1

T:John Bain’s Sister’s Wedding

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 3, No. 287  (c. 1880’s)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Minor

e | c2A AAA | agf e2d | c2A AAA | d2c B2d | c2A AAA |

agf e2d | c2A BGB | A3 A2 :: e | A2B c2c | d2c cBc | d2c Bcd |

e2A A2e | f2g agf | e2d c2a | c2A BGB | A3 A2 :|

           

JOHN BALTZELL'S REEL. American, Reel. USA, Ohio. OKeh Records 40206 (78 RPM), 1924, John Baltzell {Baltzell was a native of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, as was minstrel Dan Emmett (the composer of "Dixie," who died in 1904). Emmett returned to the town in 1888, poor, and later taught Baltzell to play the fiddle}.

           

JOHN BARLEYCORN. Old‑Time. Arhoolie C‑334, Kenny Baker ‑ "Masters of the Folk Violin" (1989).

           

JOHN BARRON’S HIGHLAND.  Irish, Highland. John Barron was from Teelin, County Donegal. Bradley/Shaughnessy – “Born for Sport.”

 

JOHN BEGG. Scottish, Strathspey. F Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by Alexander Hall in honor of one John Begg of Lochnagar. Walker (A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Marches, &c.), 1866; No. 149, pg. 50.

           

JOHN BELDEN'S TWO-STEP. Old‑Time, Two‑step (6/8 time). USA; Iowa, Nebraska. G Major. Standard tuning. ABB. John Belden was "one of a trio of fiddlers of considerable local fame in western Iowa years ago. The other two were Frank Sexton and Willis Kirkpatrick" (Christeson). Source for notated version: Bob Walters (Burt County, Nebraska) [Christeson]. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddler’s Repertory, vol. 1), 1973; pg. 146.

           


JOHN BLESSING'S DELIGHT. AKA and see “The King,” “Miss/Mrs. Monroe’s Jig,” “Mrs. Monroe [1],” “Mrs. Spens Monroe.” Irish, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. John Blessing was a latter-20th century flute player from near Mohill, County Leitrim. The tune however, was first published under the title “Mrs. Spens Munro’s Jig” by Scotsman James Aird, printed in his Selections of Scotch, Irish, English and Foreign Airs, vol. IV (1780-97). Treoir. GTD Heritage Trad. HCD 008, Tommy Peoples - "Traditional Irish Music Played on the Fiddle."

X:1

T:John Blessing's Delight

R:Jig

D:Tommy Peoples: Traditional Irish Music Played on the Fiddle

L:1/8

M:6/8

Z:Transcribed by Ted Hastings

K:G

D|G3 AGA|Bdd efg|GBG AGA|BGE EDE|!

G3 AGA|Bdd efg|edB AGA|{B}AGF G2:|!

d|gfg efg|fdd {e}dfd|gag aga|bge e2 d|!

gbg efg|agf efg|edB AGA|{B}AGF A2:||

X: 2

T: John Blessing's Delight

S: "Treoir"

M: 6/8

L: 1/8

R: jig

K: G

D | G2 G AGA | Bdd efg | G2 G AGA | BGE EDE |

G2 G AGA | Bdd efg | edB AGA | BGF G2 :|

d | gfg efg | fdd def | gfg aga | bge e2 f |

gag efg | agf efg | edB AGA | BGF G2 :|

           

JOHN BOWE’S [1]. AKA and see “Dinny O’Brien’s.” Irish, Reel. D Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AABB. The tune was associated by source O’Leary with accordion player John Bowes, and is played as a pair with “John Bowe’s [2]." Source for notated version: accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border) [Moylan]. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary), 1994; No. 318, pg. 182.

 

JOHN BOWE’S [2]. AKA and see “Dinny O’Brien’s Reel [1].” Irish, Reel. D Major/Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AA’BB. The tune was associated by source O’Leary with Birr, County Offaly, B/C accordion player John Bowes, in England since 1965. It was a composition, however, of Paddy O’Brien of Nenagh, named after his father, Dinny. See also the related “Collier’s (Reel).” Source for notated version: accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border) [Moylan]. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary), 1994; No. 319, pg. 182.

 

JOHN BOWE’S [3]. AKA and see “Land of Sunshine.” Irish, Reel. C Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The tune is a Martin Mulhaire composition, originally entitled “Land of Sunshine,” written soon after Mulhaire came to the United States. Source for notated version: Brendan Mulvihill (Baltimore, Md.) [Mulvihill]. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 130, pg. 35. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; pg. 111. Kerry Elkin - “Soir et Matin” (1990). Out of the Blue Productions, “A Band Named Bob” (1994).

           

JOHN BOWE’S FAVORITE. AKA and see “John Bowe’s.” Inchecronin Records, John Bowe.

           

JOHN BOWE’S NO. 2. AKA and see “Farewell to Connacht,” “The Maid of Erin.”

           

JOHN BRADY’S JIG. Irish, Double Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by County Offaly flute player John Brady. Green Linnett SIF 1091, Paddy O’Brien - “Stranger at the Gate” (learned from John Brady). Green Linnet SIF 3116, Sharon Shannon – “Each Little Thing.”

X:1

T:John Brady’s Jig

M:6/8

L:1/8

K:D Major

E2 G Bed|(3Bcd B AFD|EFG Bed|BAG Eag|e2 d ege|f2 e dBA|G2 A Bed|BAG Bcd:|

|:E2 F ~G3|AGA BAB|(3efe f gfe|fed Bcd|eBe gfe|fed BAF|DEF ~G3|~F3Bcd:|

                       

JOHN BRADY’S (REEL). Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by flute player John Brady of County Offaly. The tune has been recorded by June ni Chormaic as “Father Newman’s Favorite.” John Williams. Joanie Madden – “A Whistle on the Wind.”

X:1

T:John Brady’s

M:C|

L:1/8

Z:Transcribed by Philippe Varlet

K:G
Bc| deed edBA | GB~B2 d2Bd | ea~a2 bagb | agea gedg |
e2ge edBA | GB~B2 d2Bd | ea~a2 gedg | edBA G2  :||
Bc | dG~G2 edBc | dg~g2 fgaf | dg~g2 bgag | ~f3 g ~f3 e I
dG~G2 edBc | dg~g2 fgaf | dg~g2 gedg | edBA G2 :||

                       

JOHN BRENNAN FROM SLIGO (Seán o Braonáin as Sligeach). AKA – “John Brennan’s.” Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. A similar tune is printed by Breathnach (CRE II, No. 173, pg. 90) as an untitled reel collected from the playing of Co. Galway musician Aggie White (Mrs. Sean Ryan). David Taylor (1992) notes that some musicians prefer to replace the last four bars of the second part of his version, second time round, with the last four bars of the first part. The tune is named for Sligo flute player John Brennan, a regular member of Dublin’s Church Street Club, site of a famous long-lasting session that began in the late 1950’s centered around Kerry fiddler John Kelly. Sources for notated versions: accordion player Sonny Brogan (County Sligo/Dublin, Ireland) [Breathnach]: The Bridge Ceili Band [Mulvihill]. Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 160, pg. 63. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1974, vol. 1, No. 10. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 182, pg. 116. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 26, pg. 7. Taylor (Through the Half‑door), 1992; No. 7, pg. 7. Green Linnet GLCD 1184, Patrick Street – “Made in Cork” (1997). Green Linnet SIF 3018, “Molloy/Peoples/Brady” (1978). Shanachie Shan‑79017, John & Phil Cunningham ‑ "Against the Storm" (1980). Shaskeen ‑ "The Joys of Life."

See also listings at:

Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources 

Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info

X:1

T:Brennan’s Fancy

T:Brennan’s

T:John Brennan from Sligo

R:reel

Z:id:hn-reel-111

Z:transcribed by henrik.norbeck@mailbox.swipnet.se

M:C|

L:1/8

K:D

D2FA d2ed|cdBc AF~F2|BAGB A2FA|BAGF EGFE|

D2FA d2ed|cdBc AF~F2|BAGB ABde|faeg fdd2:||

f2df e2de|fedB AF~F2|BAGB A2A|BAGF EFGE|

f2df e2de|fedB AF~F2|BAGB ABde|faeg fdde|

f2df e2de|fedB AF~F2|BAGB A2FA|BAGF EGFE|

D2FA d2ed|cdBc AF~F2|BAGB ABde|faeg fdd2||


                       

JOHN BRENNAN’S FAVORITE. Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard. AABB. The title references County Sligo fiddle player John Brennan. Treoir.

X: 1

T: John Brennan's Favorite

S: "Treoir"

M: 4/4

L: 1/8

R: reel

Z: Transcribed by Bill Black

K: G

GE | DG G2 DGBG | G2 Bd edcB | ABcd edcB | ABcd e3 E |

DGBG DGBG | G2 Bd edcB | ABcd efge | dcBA G2 :|

Bc | dg g2 bg g2 | dg g2 edcd | ea a2 a2 bg | a2 bg agef |

g3 e f3 d | efge dcBG | ABcd edge | dcBA G2 :|

                       

JOHN BRENNAN'S REEL. AKA and see “Bennett’s Favorite,” “Great Eastern Reel,”  La Grondeuse [1],” "The Silver Spire."

 

JOHN BRENNAN’S REEL [2].  AKA and see “The Ashplant [2]," “Coleman’s (Reel) [2],"  Dennis Murphy’s Favourite,” Dicky Sherlock’s Reel,” “Jim Kelly’s [2]," “Maguire’s (Reel),” “Matt Molloy’s [2],” “Night in Ennis,” “Packie Duignan’s Reel,” “Tipperary Fancy.” Irish, Reel.

 

JOHN BRENNAN’S REEL [3].  AKA and see “John Brennan from Sligo.”

 

JOHN BROSNAN’S (POLKA). AKA and see “Johnny Leary’s (Polka) [1].” Irish, Polka. Ireland, West Kerry. G Major. Standard. AABB. Brosnan is an accordion player from County Kerry. Mac Amhlaoibh & Durham (An Pota Stóir: Ceol Seite Corca Duibne/The Set Dance Music of West Kerry), No. 41, pg. 29.

X:1

T:John Brosnan's Polka

B:An Pota Stóir: Set Dance Music of West Kerry

R:polka

N:John's source for this tune was Jer Collins, from

N:the Knocknagoshel area (note on J.B.'s album)

Z:Transcribed by Paul de Grae

M:2/4

L:1/8

K:G

GA/G/ ED|GB d2|ed BG|A/B/A/G/  ED| GA/G/ ED|GB d2|ed BA|G2 G2:|:

d2 d^c/d/|ed BG|c2 cB/c/|ed Bc| d2 d^c/d/|ed BG|A/B/c BA|G2 G2:|

 

JOHN BROSNAN’S (REEL). AKA and see “Fleming’s Reel.” Irish, Reel. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Brosnan is an accordion player from Kilcummin, between Killarney and Castleisland, County Kerry, who composed the tune in 1974. In addition to playing boxes, Brosnan tunes and repairs them, as well as deals in new instruments. See also the very close “Fleming’s Reel” by Kerry musician Tom Fleming. Reedblock Records JB CD 01 or MC 01, John Brosnan – “The Cook in the Kitchen” (1996). Vinnie Kilduff – “Boys of Bluehill.”

X:1

T:John Brosnan’s

T:Fleming’s Reel

R:reel

S:Session at Fahy's

Z:Transcribed by Jeff Lindqvist

L:1/8

M:C|

K:Bm

FBBA Bcde|~f2ec dcBA|FA~A2 FAEA| FA~A2 FAEA| FBBA Bcde|~f2ec dcBA|~f2ec dcBA|1

FBBA ~B3A:|2 FBBA ~B3c|| |:d2Bc defg|fbbf afeg|fB~B2 FBdf|~e2ce aece|

d2Bc defg|fbbf afeg|~f2ec dcBA|1 FBBA ~B3A:|2 FBBA ~B3c||

X:2
T:John Brosnan's
R:reel
D:Vinnie Kilduff: Boys Of Bluehill
D:Begley & Cooney: Meitheal
Z:id:hn-reel-809

Z:transcribed by henrik.norbeck@mailbox.swipnet.se
M:C|

L:1/8
K:Bm
FBBA Bcde|f2ef dcBA|FA~A2 FAEA|FA~A2 fAeA|
FBBA Bcde|f2ef dcBA|f2ef dfcf|1 FBBA B2BA:|2 FBBA Bcde||
|:fB~B2 fBde|f2bf afea|fB~B2 fBdf|eA~A2 eAce|
fB~B2 fBde|f2bf afef|~f2ef dfcf|1 FBBA Bcde:|2 FBBA B2BA||

 

JOHN BROSNAHAN’S. Irish, Reel.

X:1

T:Johnny Brosnahan's Reel (Johnny Bresnahan’s?)

M:4/4

L:1/8

Q:220

S:Maurice O'Keeffe

R:Reel

D:Jackie Daly, Many's a Wild Night, as "Kilfenora Reel"

K:D

DE |F3F FEDE | FBAF (3EFE DE | FAAB AFDE | F2E2 E2FE | D2FA d2cA |

BdAF E2DE | FAAB AFEE | F2D2 D2 :| de | fedB A2de | fedB A2de | fedB AFDE |

FEED E2FE | D2FA d2cA | BdAF E2DE | FAAB AFEE | F2D2 D2 :|

           

JOHN BROWN [1]. American, Reel. USA; New England, Missouri(?). D Major. Standard. AB (Burchenal): AABB (Ford). The first part of this tune is related to the Pennsylvania collected "Twilight" (the second parts differ). Burchenal (American Country Dances, vol. 1), 1918; pg. 60. Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 122.

 

JOHN BROWN [2]. AKA and see "Miss McLeod's/MacLeod’s Reel [1]," "The Virginia Reel [5]," "Old Mammy Knickerbocker" (Pa.), "N....r in the Woodpile [2]," "(Do You Want to Go to Heaven,) Uncle Joe," "The Enterprise and Boxer." USA, southwestern Pa. G Major. Standard. AB. Not related to version #1. Source for notated version: Henry Bryner (elderly fiddler from Fayette County, Pa., 1944) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 249E, pg. 212.

 

JOHN BROWN [3]. AKA and see "Faithful Friend." Scottish, Highland Schottische. A Major ('A' & 'B' parts) & A Minor ('C' part). Standard. AABBC. Composition credited to Nugent Godfrey by Kerr. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; No. 12, pg. 20.

           

JOHN BROWN'S DREAM. AKA and see “Brownlow’s Dream,” "Brown's Dream," “Brownstream,” “Pretty Little Gal [1],” "Pretty Little Miss [1]," "Herve Brown's Dream," “Johnny Bring the Jug Around the Hill,” "Little Rabbit,” “Red Steer,” “Stillhouse Branch." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA; southwestern Virginia, western North Carolina. A Major. AEae or Standard. AABBCC (Brody): AABBCCDD (Phillips, Songer). A Galax, Virginia, area standard. One of a family of tunes that includes “Brownstream,” “Herv Brown’s Dream,” “Jimmy Johnson Pass That Jug Around the Hill,” “Little Rabbit”  “Pretty Little Girl,” “Pretty Little Miss,” “Stillhouse Branch” “Table Mountain Road” and others. The tune family is a common a popular one in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where it probably originated but has since been disseminated. Hobart Smith, of Saltville, Va., also played the tune on the banjo. Tommy Jarrell, of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, suggested that "John Brown's Dream," which he learned from his father, fiddler Ben Jarrell, was derived from "Pretty Little Miss."

***

('B' part vocal)  John Brown's dream, the devil is dead.

('C' part vocal)  Come on Lula, come on Lula, come on Lula you're hoggin' the bread.

***

John Brown's dream, John Brown's dream, John Brown's dream, the devil is dead.

Come on, Lula, come  on Lula, come on Lula, eat your hog and your bread.

( "hog" refers to fatback).

***

Apparently, Walton, West Virginia, fiddler Franklin George is the source for the “Herve (or Harv) Brown’s Dream” title, which he obtained from Jim Farthing, late of S.W. Virginia and West Virginia. There is speculation, though no proof, that the title of the tune was originally “Herve Brown’s Dream,” but the name Herve was supplanted by John because of the notoriety of the famous abolitonist who was hanged at Charles Town, Virginia in 1859 for treason committed in the raid of the U.S. Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry earlier that year. Most commentors agree that the tune has considerable age, and may predate the Harpers Faerry incident in the mid-19th century. Dwight Diller has said that the West Virginia tune “Jimmy Johnson” was the musical precursor to “John Brown’s Dream,” and opined that “Jimmy Johnson” was the far superior melody. Kentucky fiddler Buddy Thomas knew the tune as “Stillhouse Branch.” Kerry Blech has even heard the title “Brown Stream,” a mondegreen of course (for “Brown’s Dream”). Hobart Smith called his version of the tune “Devil’s Dream” on his Rounder recording (Rounder CD 0032). Sources for notated versions: New Lost City Ramblers [Brody]; Kevin Wimmer [Phillips]. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 148. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 126. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; pg. 111. County 524, "Da Costa Woltz's Southern Broadcasters: 1927 Recordings" (the fiddler for this band is Ben Jarrell). County 713, Cockerham, Jenkins and Jarrell‑ "Down to the Cider Mill." County CD2702, Tommy Jarrell & Fred Cockerham - “Tommy and Fred: Best Fiddle-Banjo Duets” (1992). County CO-CD-2711, Kirk Sutphin - "Old Roots and New Branches" (1994). Document DOCD-8023, Da Costa Woltz’s Southern Broadcasters (reissue). Folkways FA 2492, New Lost City Ramblers‑ "String Band Instrumentals" (1964). Folkways FTS 31041, New Lost City Ramblers‑ "Across the Great Divide." Kicking Mule 203, Art Rosenbaum‑ "The Art of the Mountain Banjo." Marimac 9038, Dan Gellert & Brad Leftwich - "A Moment in Time." Roane Records RR-101, “Cedar Point String Band” (Franklin George et al. Appears as “Harv Brown’s Dream”).  “Silvertone 5183B (78 RPPM), Da Costa Woltz's Southern Broadcasters (1927). Tennvale 003, Pete Parish‑ "Clawhammer Banjo." Tradition Records TLP1007, Hobart Smith ‑ "Instrumental Music of the Southern Appalachians" (1956). Jim Taylor – “The Civil War Collection” (1996). Jim Taylor – “The Civil War Album” (1996. Learned from Sheila Adams who had it from Tommy Jarrell and Scot Ainsley).

           

JOHN BROWN'S LITTLE INDIAN. Southwestern Pa. A version of the ditty known as "Ten Little Indians."

           

JOHN BROWN'S MARCH [1]. Old‑Time, March (4/4 or cut time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABB (Songer, Welling): AA'AA'BB (Phillips). Sources for notated versions: Pete Sutherland (VT) [Phillips]; Alan Jabbour via Alan Garren [Songer]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; pg. 70. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; pg. 112. Welling (Welling’s Hartford Tune Book), 1976; pg. 2. Jim Taylor – “The Civil War Album” (1996. Learned from Sheila Adams, who had the tune from Tommy Jarrel and Scott Ansley).

 

JOHN BROWN'S MARCH [2]. AKA and see "Harper's Ferry." American, March (4/4 time). USA, southwestern Pa. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Named presumably after the abolitionist who stormed the United States Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in 1859, and who was hanged for treason. There is some thought Brown’s ‘march’ was his march to the scaffold. Source for notated version: James Taylor (fifer from northern W.Va., southwestern Pa., 1930's) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 386, pg. 368.

X:1

T:John Brown’s March

T:Harper’s Ferry

M:4/4

L:1/8

K:G

D|G2 B2 BABc|d2 dg d2 z2|(3BcB A2 B2 d2|(3ded d2 d3B|B2 B2 B>ABc|

d2 dd d2 z2|(3BcB A2 B2 AB/A/|G6::d2|g2 d2 d>d d2|g2 d2 d2 z2|

(3BcB A2 B2 d2|(3efe d2 d2 d2|g2 d2 d2 d2|g2 d2 d4d|(3BdB A2 B2 AB/A/|G6:|

           

JOHN BROWN POLKA. American, Polka. D Major. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. From the music manuscripts of Setauket, Long Island, painter and fiddler William Sidney Mount, dated August, 1863, “as played by W.S. Mount.” The tune is a polka rendering of the song “John Brown’s Body Lies a-Mouldering in the Grave” (AKA “Battle Hymn of the Republic”).

X:1

T:John Brown’s Polka

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Polka

S:William Sidney Mount manuscripts, dated August, 1863.

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

AA F/A/d/e/ | f/g/f/e/ d2 |1 BB/c/ d/c/d/B/ A/B/A/F/ A2 :|2 eeed | c2e2 ||

B/c/B/^A/ B/c/d/e/ | f/>g/f/^e/ fb |1 fbdf | e/d/c/d/ BF :|2 f/g/e/f/ d/e/c/d/ | B2 zA4 ||

                       

JOHN BURTON. English. England, Northumberland. One of the "missing tunes" from William Vickers' 1770 Northumbrian dance tune manuscript.

           

JOHN BYRNE’S (JIG)