Banjo Hangout Top 100 Traditional Songs

Pretty Polly

banjoike — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 20:12:00 CST

Messing around with this English Ballad tonight.

British Field March

JanetB — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:02:00 CST

It's said in the Library of Congress that Henry Reed learned this from Quince Dillon, the fifer, and that it was a tune used by the British to retreat from their defeat in the Battle of New Orleans. Alan Jabbour recorded Henry Reed.

Jai Passe Devant ta Porte (TOTW)

JanetB — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 11:24:00 CST

This traditional Cajun waltz sings of the sad loss of a loved one. I like its melody and found it easy to play on clawhammer banjo.

Reel d'Issoudun

tfaux — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 12:59:00 CST

A French-Canadian crooked tune learned from Guy Bouchard. Robin Kearton playing fiddle.

Step Around Johnny

sesaylor — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 16:55:00 CST

Water is Wide - With Big L (Laurence Diehl)

SCclawman — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 14:03:00 CST

Thanks Laurence for this great addition. Honored to collaborate with you! One of my favorite songs ever gets even better!

Old Moke Picking On The Banjo

banjoike — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:36:00 CST

Got this tune from BHO member Bill Reese. I really like the sound of this Sea Shanty!

Christmas song--Jingle Bells

JanetB — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 16:08:00 CST

For the TOTW--12/14/12

Season of Hope

rickhayes — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 21:06:00 CST

I posted tunes the last two holiday seasons so I thought I'd do another this year. Wishing all the best to my BHO friends for the season and the new year. In Double C.

Ancient Echo

Paul Roberts — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:31:00 CST

Traditional Greek melody adapted for 5-string cello banjo, Gold Tone CEB-5, double C tuning, gCGCD.

Pretty Little Shoes

chip arnold — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:54:00 CST

Me on banjo (two finger index lead) and Amy on guitar. We learned this tune from Don Borchelt.

Apples Ad Nauseum

Mark Johnson — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:21:00 CST

Allowing myself to get all jazzy and crazy with June Apple, taking it wherever I want to go. Yes, it's over the top. Yes, it's sloppy. Hopefully it's also sort of fun and different and enjoyable in some fashion.

Skye Boat Song

Paul Roberts — Tue, 6 Mar 2012 19:19:00 CST

One of the tunes I grew up on. 5-string cello banjo in gCGCD.

Barlow Knife (TOTW)

JanetB — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 22:06:00 CST

For the old time Tune of the Week, 4/28/18, the first part of this medley comes from BHO member RG, learned (he thinks) from a wonderful friend, Larry Brown. The second part is how I think traditionally of Barlow Knife in three parts. My dad didn't have a barlow knife, but his boy scout knife reminded me of one.

track 3

jimh269b — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:59:00 CST

off the new cd

Spotted Pony

SCclawman — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:28:00 CST

Namaste Saraswati

Paul Roberts — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:29:00 CST

Here's a folk tune from India to which I added a bridge. In Hinduism Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. Wooden banjo in gCGCD. No effects, flat EQ, stereo pair AKG-414's.

he rode all the way to texas

tonwil — Tue, 13 May 2014 14:17:00 CST

seldom scene

Dry and Dusty

SCclawman — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 08:14:00 CST

Shady Grove

Traditional / P.D. — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 08:42:00 CST

Appalachian ode to a true love

Sugar In My Coffee

C Hammonds — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 19:24:00 CST

A hasty rendition....i heard Ron Mullenix perform...

Mississippi Sawyer

SCclawman — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 17:08:00 CST

Octajo ~ O'Keiffe's Slide

Paul Roberts — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 14:25:00 CST

I'm thrilled to have been asked to do the rollout of an innovative instrument that opens a new world of mando-banjo potential. The Octajo is a double-course tenor banjo tuned an octave (or lower) below mandolin and violin. With a 12” banjo rim with bronze tone ring and an octave mandolin neck the Octajo can be strung with either metal or nylon strings. The one on this recording is set up with nylon. Hope you enjoy. Banjo Crazy Paul

Old Spinning Wheel

bryantde — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 11:12:00 CST

Lynwood Lunsford playing on his 30s style 4 with one of my "Magaret Boote" Florentine/RB4 reproduction necks.

Cherokee Shuffle

banjukebox — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:16:00 CST

Traditional

Talk About Suffering

Hilarie Burhans — Sun, 9 Jan 2011 19:51:00 CST

I just saw True Grit and this tune was vaguely present in the soundtrack at one point. It just stayed in my head. I remember first hearing this on a Doc Watson album like 30 years or so ago. Bill Van Horn gourd banjo, recorded at my desk on my iphone.

Rock Andy

ramjo — Sat, 4 Oct 2014 14:50:00 CST

I learned this tune when Mark Johnson posted it in the Tune of the Week for 4-1-2011. Since then, it's pretty much always the first tune I play whenever I tune into G (or in this case A) modal. I've been meaning to thank Mark for introducing me to this for three-and-a-half years. So... "Thanks Mark!"

''Invercargill March''

Allex Lithgow — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 22:31:00 CST

I've always had a soft spot for Marches, and this classic's up there with the best o'them I reckon. Thanks for steppin' up!. .... Don.

Red Rocking Chair

Paul Roberts — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 21:59:00 CST

Béla Fleck Baritone

Annie Laurie

William Douglas — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 06:20:00 CST

This old Scottish love song, based on William Douglas's poem in around 1700, was also the first performance attempt of Lotta Crabtree (1847 - 1923). Known now as the Shirley Temple of the 19th century, Lotta walked onto a school stage in San Francisco as a wee little girl under six years old. She burst into tears when trying to sing Annie Laurie and ran off stage. So, stage fright is certainly nothing new! She got over it and became a millionaire and successful Broadway performer, leaving her millions to charity in the 1920's.

Lil' Sadie

mworden — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 20:49:00 CST

A good ol' murder ballad. Clawhammer and voice

travk 1

jimh269b — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:56:00 CST

1st track little sadie

Heel and Toe Polka

JanetB — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 06:05:00 CST

Learned from a Bill Monroe recording. A polka danced this fast must be easier than playing it.

junE applE

Mark Johnson — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:18:00 CST

playing June Apple in the key of E (double C capo 4) on my Cedar Mountain banjo. accompanied by myself on uke and guitar, and Chloe on the cat sneeze if you have good ears.

The Wexford Carol

Laurence Diehl — Thu, 4 Dec 2014 13:56:00 CST

This is a very old Irish carol. Fingerstyle guitar and banjo (muted).

Falls of Richmond

JanetB — Mon, 1 Apr 2013 09:17:00 CST

This is my interpretation of Edden Hammon's fiddling. There's been much discussion on the Hangout about this tune and I wanted to find the oldest known source of it, though it's said it comes from his great-uncle Pete, born 1847. I like to think it's about the waterfalls of the James River, but the somber modal tone sounds more like it's about a historic event in Richmond, which would actually make the title "Fall of Richmond," as many also use.

I've Endured (Tim O'Brien)

Tim O'Brien — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:31:00 CST

One of the best songs ever for clawhammer and voice. Glad to finally have learned it.

Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine

SCclawman — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 12:13:00 CST

Learned the tab from the book "The All-In-One Jam Book" by Mary Gordon and Hilary Dirlam from Brevard, NC.

Soldiers Joy

Laurence Diehl — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:20:00 CST

A duet with Travis Wright (SCClawman)

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

music by William J. Kirkpatrick lyrics by Louisa M. R. Stead — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:11:00 CST

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" is a popular Christian hymn with music by William J. Kirkpatrick and lyrics by Louisa M. R. Stead. The lyrics were written in 1882. They appeared in Stead's Songs of Triumph. It is said that Louisa M. R. Stead wrote the lyrics after she watched her husband drown and die. The song is included in many hymnals and has been recorded by many artists.

The First NOEL

banjoez — Mon, 1 Mar 2010 07:43:00 CST

From a Christmas CD I played on. Huberized Granada Copy.

Nothing But The Blood

SCclawman — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:09:00 CST

One of the good old hymns!

Cindy

SCclawman — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:03:00 CST

Barlow Knife

SCclawman — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 08:46:00 CST

Played on a Morgan Monroe OB and high strung (nashville tuning) Larrive Parlor guitar

The Escape of Old John Webb

banjoike — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:54:00 CST

For my brother Mike on Father's day. Our Fave

Lorena

Henry Webster — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:09:00 CST

Christmas song--O Come All Ye Faithful

JanetB — Thu, 6 Dec 2012 05:42:00 CST

A very old hymn widely sung today.

The Girl I Left Behind Me

SCclawman — Sat, 7 Apr 2012 20:54:00 CST

Cache tes fesses

tfaux — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:31:00 CST

A crooked tune from Québec. The title translates as "hide your buttocks." There's a little song that goes with the tune. One verse is about a young man following a young lady up a ladder into an apple tree... (Robin Kearton plays viola on this recording.)

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen

blanham — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:20:00 CST

Merry Christmas! Played by Bob Lanham, in Gm tuning (gDGBbD) on a Bart Reiter Bacophone Plus banjo. My version began with the simple one in "The Banjo Player's Songbook" by Tim Jumper, and then adding my own embellishments.

Just As I Am

SCclawman — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:46:00 CST

One of the great old hymns.

Frosty Morning

JanetB — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:46:00 CST

Played on a Gold Tone Cripple Creek mini in modal tuning. Learned from Miles Krassen's Clawhammer Banjo, based on fiddling of Henry Reed.

Rueben's Train

Kurt Kemp — Fri, 3 Apr 2015 09:46:00 CST

Test driving yet another tone ring.

House Carpenter

SCclawman — Sun, 1 Jan 2012 07:55:00 CST

A good friend of mine is in law school a couple hundred miles away. He came home over christmas break, we set up one Blue Bluebird mic and had a good time trying to play this song

Chinquapin Hunting

BrendanD — Sat, 24 May 2014 16:39:00 CST

From the CD "On The Edge" by the Cliffhangers. Fiddle: Mark Simos; banjo: Brendan Doyle; guitar: Rusty Neithammer; tenor guitar: Jody Platt; bass: Karen Falkowski. Fiddle tuning: FCFC, banjo tuning: FBbFBbC Sources: Hiram Stamper, Hindman, Knott County, Kentucky; and his son Art Stamper. Mark's notes: "I first heard Art play this tune late one foggy night at Clifftop — standing in a muddy clearing amidst a gathered crowd, hat slouched on his head, cross-tuned fiddle sailing the glorious fat low notes out into the dark trees. Though our version here is closer to his dad Hiram’s, we dedicate this tune to Art’s memory."

Sally Ann

MIke Iverson — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:15:00 CST

Learned from Mike Iverson's tab then went a slighty different direction. Song is probably played a lot faster most of the time, but this fit the mood I was in for the night!

Saint Anne's Reel

JanetB — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:04:00 CST

This one's for Jim, whose playing is inimitable, but he's glad to have us join in!

Cripple Creek

griffinwisc — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 21:13:00 CST

I apologize in advance for the length of this recording, but I am still sharing it. My excuse is that I felt 'in the groove' . It was just fun to play and I didn't have to think about playing, I just closed my eyes. In any event, I felt I should post this since it is one of the first few songs I learned to play.

I Saw the Light

Hank Williams — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:07:00 CST

A happy gospel song.

Going Home (Antonin Dvorak's famous "Largo" theme from his Symphony No. 9

Antonin Dvorak /arr. for Tenor Banjo-A.J. Wrigglesworth — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:54:00 CST

I am in the midst of teaching this to my violin student class. There are 3 violin parts for my students and I play the banjo. Weird or what? it works and they are enjoying it.
Hope you enjoy
AJ

Cuckoo's Nest

Tom Berghan — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:58:00 CST

Tom Berghan Clawhammer, Chuck Lee, Vintage Ovilla

Whiskey Before Breakfast (nylguts)

SCclawman — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:58:00 CST

A quick recording trying out the nylguts

Angeline The Baker - Key of D

DoubleG — Tue, 1 May 2012 15:11:00 CST

Trying out a "Presto" tailpiece on my B&P Short Scale. I was just messing around but would appreciate constructive comments that could improve my playing. I hope this recording is not to tinny sounding. I am tuned up to "DD" so the air is a little thin up there. A touch out of tune on the "A", sorry. (6-1-2012: I ended up putting the No Knot back on and just stuffed it a little more . . . I'll be back with another version.)

Down The Road

RatLer — Thu, 3 Sep 2009 05:49:00 CST

Eighth of January

JanetB — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 15:30:00 CST

Though important historically as the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, the song is important to me as a useful lesson in learning melodic style. I used Tony Trischka's Melodic Banjo book.

Wooden Banjo: Breton Tune/Bashful Swain

Paul Roberts — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:44:00 CST

Wooden banjo. The Breton Tune I've played before regular banjo. The Bashful Swain is an English tune first published in Playford's Dancing Master (3rd vol.) of 1728, but this version has me taking liberties.

Hop High Ladies

BANJOJUDY — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:22:00 CST

Recorded July 2009 at Clifftop. Adam Hurt, Beth Hartness, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Luke Richardson

O'Carolan's Concerto

Carolan — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:57:00 CST

A rather rough recording of O'Carolan's Concerto (Ken Perlman arrangement) complete with mistakes and incompetence!

Christmas song--Joy to the World

JanetB — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:14:00 CST

One of the caroling songs we do every year.

In Christ There Is No East Or West

John Oxenham — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:18:00 CST

Traditional Anglican Hymn

Christmas song--We Three Kings

Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr. — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:08:00 CST

Fun to play with full chords, like a piano.

Turlute Acadienne (Reel d'Yvon Mimeault)

tfaux — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:40:00 CST

Tune-of the Week, 5/1/09

Cowboy Waltz

JanetB — Fri, 8 Jun 2012 08:04:00 CST

At a music camp dance several years ago, Kit and I heard Heidi Claire fiddling this as the traditional last song of a dance. We just had to learn it and found a notated source by Elena Corey when she was active in the California Bluegrass Association. Here's our banjo/mandolin duet.

Mr. Sandman

5drive — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:33:00 CST

Another old tune I wanted to learn for a long time,Monday I went back to Doc for this tremor in my hands and they are now saying early Parkinson's so you friends send up a prayer for me and I sure would thank you!! no excuses ,but there might be a couple glitches in my pickin',thanks!!

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:47:00 CST

Arrangement by Rick McKeon. Picking by Wayne Conrad, after three months of self teaching.

Pig In A Pen

RatLer — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:46:00 CST

Bonaparte crossing the rhine

joemac — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:03:00 CST

Bonaparte crossing the Rhine as played by "The Old Grey Dogs" I chose to play this out of double C tuning as i love the bottom end of the banjo in this tuning. Hope you all enjoy i.t

Shenendoah/Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie

JanetB — Thu, 8 Mar 2012 06:20:00 CST

Two songs expressing a western theme.

Lynch Mountain Lament

DWhelchel — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:42:00 CST

Nice tune written by DebbieLee Whelchel.

The Eighth of January

griffinwisc — Sun, 6 Jan 2013 20:13:00 CST

For your review, "The Eighth of January". Played in clawhammer style. I learned it from tab found in "Melodic Clawhammer Banjo" by Ken Perlman, Oak Publications. Differing from the tab, I'm tuned 1/2 step below double C, f#BF#BC#

Amazing Grace

John Newton 1779 — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:22:00 CST

Here is my arrangement of Amazing Grace recorded with Kentucky 31 in 2002

Shady Grove TOTW

blockader — Mon, 5 Mar 2012 11:40:00 CST

In A modal on Ome Juniper.

Grandfather's Clock

Henry Clay Work — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:05:00 CST

My arrangement of an old evergreen written by Henry Clay Work. Double C tuning, key of C. Warts and all.

Santa Anna's Retreat and British Field March medley

Henry Reed — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:20:00 CST

Henry Reed learned these from the Civil War fifer Quince Dillon. The two tunes are both in Am and one leads easily to the other in a medley.

Midnight on the Water

marsan29 — Fri, 8 Jan 2010 01:54:00 CST

Midnight on the Water is a beautiful old cross-tuned fiddle waltz. It was written by Luke Thomasson, Benny Thomasson's Grandfather. It is so simple and beautiful and here is my shot at playing it. Didn't know what to put as "playing style" but it's 3 fingers style without picks. Hope you like this one

Carol of the Bells

JanetB — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:20:00 CST

A round with banjo and mandolin.

Frosty Morn

griffinwisc — Mon, 1 Oct 2012 20:58:00 CST

Frosty Morn, my current favorite song in Sawmill tuning - gDGCB

Black Mountain Rag (CH)

JanetB — Mon, 9 Jul 2012 20:34:00 CST

For the brotherhood, from your sister. My favorite version has been Doc's.

Wild Bill Jones

blockader — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:47:00 CST

In sawmill tuning on an OME Juniper inspired by the McCrae sisters amongst many other.

America Medley

5drive — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:43:00 CST

Monymusk

vrteach — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 08:55:00 CST

It's fun to play a tune with more than 2 parts

Sugar Hill (in G)

vrteach — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:12:00 CST

I think that I picked this up from a Fleming Brown album which I borrowed from the public library in the mid 1970s.

Durang's Hornpipe

Laurence Diehl — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:28:00 CST

This is Alan Munde's version of the tune - close as I get anyway!