| The Speed of the Old Long Bow | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | John Hartford |
| Cover: | Speed of the Old Long Bow.jpg |
| Released: | May 5, 1998 |
| Recorded: | June 11 – December 1, 1997 |
| Genre: | Bluegrass |
| Length: | 57:53 |
| Label: | Rounder |
| Producer: | Bob Carlin |
| Prev Title: | The Bullies Have All Gone to Rest |
| Prev Year: | 1998 |
| Next Title: | Retrograss |
| Next Year: | 1999 |
The Speed of the Old Long Bow (or more completely The Speed of the Old Long Bow: A Tribute to Ed Haley) is an album by John Hartford of traditional American fiddle music, released in 1998. It is a tribute to the legendary Kentucky/West Virginia old-time fiddler Blind Ed Haley.
In his review for AllMusic, critic Steve Leggett wrote "Hartford quite wisely doesn't try to replicate Haley's takes (Hartford admits in the liner notes that he doesn't play like Haley, but that he enjoys trying), but instead interprets them, and the result is pure loose-jointed fun. Everything here is like a patch in a quilt, and the trademark Hartford wit, joy and energy is everywhere apparent. Highlights include the set opener, "Hell Up Coal Holler," "Bonaparte's Retreat" (which is practically the fiddler's national anthem), and a pair of vocal excursions, "Cattlettsburg" and "Boatmen." Although Long Bow is very much a tribute to Ed Haley, it is also very much a John Hartford album, and Hartford's fans will surely treasure it."
All songs written or arranged by Ed Haley.