Some months back, the “Merry Blacksmith” was presented for the TOTW by Andy Taylor (post here: https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/397607), and at the time the title reminded me of another “Blacksmith” tune, the “Jolly Blacksmith”. This seems to be a bit of a “tune tree” with many branches as I present them below, primarily changing in how the B part is played with similar A parts. I first learned of this tune from Chadwell’s Station, one of four albums of the Fiddling on the Frontier series made by the late Christian Wig, featuring primarily tunes from the Hamblen Collection and other old tunes dating from the 1700-1800s, collected by David R. Hamblen, his son Williamson, and notated by his son, A. Porter Hamblen. A full list of the Hamblen tunes here: http://chriswig.com/hamblen.html
In the last ten years or so I’ve taken quite an interest in learning some of the Hamblen tunes, a few of which are actually some standards that I already knew, including “Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine,” “Flowers of Edinburgh,” and “Turkey in the Straw”. This is the last track on Chadwell’s. From the liner notes on the “Jolly Blacksmith”:
‘Subtitled “She wouldn’t come at all” with no explanation, this comes from Williamson. It is known as “The Route” in West Virginia settings and was played throughout the southern frontier in the early 1800s. (Jabbour, Hammons, 66) Burl Hammons learned his setting from his uncle Edden. Henry Reed played a version he got from an old man in Monroe County, West Virginia and claimed it was similar to his uncle’s setting. Melvin Wine’s “Peggin’ Awl” bears a striking resemblance. It is also recorded by Harvey Taylor under the name of “Old Mother Flannigan.” (Harrison) The melody also has similarities to “Jenny on the Railroad,” recorded by Carter Brothers and Son from Mississippi, which might show how the tune moved with westward expansion. (Jabbour, Fiddle)’
Most versions and related tunes below are in A mix. I found it to fit naturally in A modal or aEADE tuning.
Here is a clip of Chris and Whitt Mead playing the tune on fiddle and banjo, respectively from the album: http://chriswig.com/audio/CS/22%20Jolly%20Blacksmith.mp3
Here is Henry Reed playing “The Route”: https://www.slippery-hill.com/content/route
Here is Melvin Wine playing “Peggin’ Awl” (more modally): https://www.slippery-hill.com/content/peggin-awl
A rendition of “Jenny on the Railroad” from the Carter Brothers and Son: https://www.slippery-hill.com/content/jenny-railroad
And from Bob Walters, as “Paddy on the Turnpike”: https://www.slippery-hill.com/content/paddy-turnpike-0
The notes for the above tune, which I found interesting:
‘This tune has also been called "Jenny on the Railroad." It is rather commonly known among fiddlers and has been in various tune books since Howe published it in 1864 in the key of Bb. Recorded by Bob Walters in January, 1952’
I couldn’t locate a recording of Edden or Burl, unfortunately. While I did find one of Edden playing “Paddy,” it is a different tune, which seems to be the case with there being variations amongst the Paddy tunes.
Here’s a nice banjo version by Stefan Curl: https://youtu.be/4j0hz9Ge4uo?si=YOJK4Map-9bVkC4v
A concert performance by Streak of Lean (Kerry Blech, guitar; Susan Staton, fiddle; and Bob Lanham, banjo): https://youtu.be/GkCwneiQk2s?si=hnWzIf914_Oi9HAY
Finally, my take on banjo for this TOTW installment, in aEADE: https://youtu.be/-AMEo3sckE8?si=l3Bco8vk1ePjk2Bi
And another on a mountain banjo build, in eBEAB (aEADE relative): https://youtu.be/9fbVJqWzBVs?si=bF51xHNzxwInyixa
On a side note, in my middle school days I enjoyed taking a one-day blacksmithing class at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, VA when I still lived near there. Among the items I made were a couple square-head nails, a nail ring, and two S-hooks. Here’s a nail and the first S-hook:
Feel free to add in to the discussion.
Edited by - Noah Cline on 05/15/2025 08:29:31
I don't come on this forum much, but I know great music when I hear it. This is amazing. Noah's research places the tune within a cultural framework, showing that music is a living thing, not some recording frozen in time. Kudos buddy.
Thanks for this post. This is a tune I've known for a long time and played in numerous jams under various names. Folks call tunes what they remember them by, and the variations in the tune reflect the variations in the title. We are only human and as such bring our uniqueness to the music.
quote:
Originally posted by Laurence DiehlI don't come on this forum much, but I know great music when I hear it. This is amazing. Noah's research places the tune within a cultural framework, showing that music is a living thing, not some recording frozen in time. Kudos buddy.
Thanks, Laurence! Appreciate it!
quote:
Originally posted by Bob BuckinghamThanks for this post. This is a tune I've known for a long time and played in numerous jams under various names. Folks call tunes what they remember them by, and the variations in the tune reflect the variations in the title. We are only human and as such bring our uniqueness to the music.
Well put, Bob. Thanks!
As always, a great tune choice, Noah, and a delight to hear your versions. The news of Christian's passing is news to me. I admire his musical work and enjoyed his historical fiction piece Annosanah, relating the story of Christopher Gist.
As shared in the past, my son is a blacksmith and farrier and staying jolly is a big plus when the work is as hard as blacksmithing may be. Ben made and gave away square nails all day at our local Smartsville and Timbuctoo Pioneer Day last month, something you'd appreciate, Noah.
This arrangement comes from Christian Wig.
Very nicely tabbed and played Janet, Shall I just add my own chords as I hear them?...Jack Clawhammer is so free form that almost any chords seem possible...
Edited by - Jack Baker on 05/17/2025 13:39:34
quote:
Originally posted by Jack BakerShall I just add my own chords as I hear them?...Jack Clawhammer is so free form that almost any chords seem possible...
See if you like the chords I added, Jack.
Yes and thank you so much Janet. Do you mind if I put some Tabledit chords in this wonderful Tab?....J
quote:
Originally posted by Jack BakerYes and thank you so much Janet. Do you mind if I put some Tabledit chords in this wonderful Tab?....J
I don't mind. If it helps learners, that's a good thing. I'd like to see it afterwards, as I don't know what is a "Tabledit chord." In otherwise, is each chord tabbed with its frets and open strings in conjunction with the tune tab, or tabbed separately as a how-to-play the banjo chord reference? Or perhaps it's not actually for banjo, but for guitar.
But do whatever you need for your students...
Oh ok,
I see that you have never seen any of my Tabledit tabs with guitar and bass added. I'm not sure if you'll be able to see what I have added unless you actually have the Tabledit program....I'll just hope, but thank you Janet...Jack p.s. My students love that they can hear the rhythm and see and hear the entire arrangement. They seem to find it indispensable. Beginners often find it difficult to just see paper tabs even if you include the sound file....
Edited by - Jack Baker on 05/17/2025 15:29:09
Thanks, Janet! I was sad to see of his passing as I referenced back to his site a few times as I've delved more into the Hamblen tunes (nice to see the pdf's of the sheet music for each of the tunes that he provided). My other surprise was that he had released a fourth album, "Constancy," in 2019, which I ended up ordering directly from his wife, Leslie, last year. There are only a handful of videos on YouTube of Chris in action, quite enjoyable to watch.
