Old Black Cat Couldn’t Catch a Rat

A traditional old-time fiddle tune, known for its humorous title and lively melody. Often played in cross-tuning. I learned this tune from Judy Hyman at a Fiddle Hell Online 2025 workshop. She learned from Ben Kiser. The tune is associated with Welzie Cresawn, a traditional fiddler from North Carolina. Recordings by Bruce Greene and arrangements by Don Pedi attribute the tune to Cresawn. While the tune is traditional, Cresawn’s rendition has been influential in its preservation.