A traditional American old-time fiddle tune written post-Civil War by Harvey G. Elswick, born in Pike County, Kentucky in 1838, who served in a unit from that state during the Civil War. After the conflict, Elswick returned to Pike County, but in 1875 he and his family moved to Kanawha County, West Virginia, where he wrote the melody in April 1889. According to family research, Harvey Elswick played the tune at the request of his mother, who was on her deathbed, complying with her request to “play his fiddle for her once more before she died”. The tune entered the traditional repertoire through West Virginia fiddlers, notably French Carpenter (1899-1965) of Clay County, who recorded it in 1963, and his student Wilson Douglas (1922-1999). Some versions include only an A and B part, AABB, others include a third part, AABBCC.
Key: A Dorian
Tradition: Old Time
Music by: Traditional