Cluck Old Hen Explained

"Cluck Old Hen" is a popular Appalachian fiddle and banjo tune in the mixolydian or dorian mode (as in the score below which is in A dorian). It is played either as an instrumental or with lyrics, which vary from one version to another. One of the earliest reported transcriptions of the tune dates from 1886.^[1] The earliest recording is attributed to Fiddlin' John Carson, in 1923.

Score

<<\new ChordNames \chordmode \new Staff \relative c>>

^[2]

See also

• Old time music

References

1. Web site: Yates. Mike. Far in the Mountains : Volumes 1 & 2 of Mike Yates' 1979-83 Appalachian Collection. Musical Traditions. 29 April 2013.
2. Book: Brody, David. The Fiddler's Fake Book. 1983. Oak Publications. New York. 0-8256-0238-6. 70.

External links

History

• Description in "Traditional Ballad Index of Folk Songs from the English-Speaking World", Folklore department, California State University, Fresno
• Discussion thread regarding lyrics and origins, from Mudcat Café

Recordings and transcriptions

• The sheet music
• Recording by Fiddlin' and Family Powers information and mp3 download from Project Gutenberg*.