Old Joe Clark

Old Joe Clark is a folk song, a mountain ballad that was "sung during World War I and later by soldiers from eastern Kentucky."[1] An early version was printed in 1918, as sung in Virginia at that time.[1] Joe Clark was born in 1839,[1][2] a mountaineer who was murdered in 1885.[1] There are about 90 stanzas in various versions of the song.[1] The tune is in mixolydian mode.[3]

Score

<< \new ChordNames { \set chordChanges = ##t a4 a4 |%1 a4 a4 |%2 a4 a4 |%3 e4 e4 |%4 a4 a4 |%5 a4 a4 |%6 a4 e4 |%7 a4 a4 |%8 a4 a4 |%9 a4 a4 |%10 a4 a4 |%11 g4 g4 |%12 a4 a4 |%13 a4 a4 |%14 a4 g4 |%15 a4 a4 |%16 } \new Staff \relative c''{ \time 2/4 \key a \mixolydian \repeat volta 2 { %start repeat e8 fis8 g8 fis8 |%1 e8 d cis e16 e |%2 e8 fis g fis |%3 e4 e4 |%4 \break e8 fis8 g fis |%5 e8 d8 cis4 |%6 a8 a16 a b a gis8 |%7 a4 a |%8 } %end repeat \break \repeat volta 2 { %start repeat a4 a |%9 e'8 d cis4 |%10 a4 a |%11 b4 b |%12 \break a4 a |%13 e'8 d cis4 |%14 a8 cis b g |%15 a4 a |%16 } } >>

[4]

Recordings

The song has been recorded by many artists, including:

Building a Traditional Tune Repertoire by Wendy Anthony</ref>

Modern Adaptations

The melody was adapted by Mojo Nixon, Jello Biafra, and the Toadliquors for "Let's Go Burn Old Nashville Down" for the Prairie Home Invasion album. On guitarist Pat Metheny's "80/81" album, bassist Charlie Haden quotes from the melody of "Old Joe Clark" during his solo on "Two Folk Songs 1st | 2nd." The riff of Ian Dury's 1977 single "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" originates from "Old Joe Clark".

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Old Joe Clark Ballad". Historical Marker #1382. Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. 1970. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  2. ↑ Clark, Lisa. "Old Joe Clark Biography". The Rosinators. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  3. ↑ Anthony, Wendy (February 2007). "Building a Traditional Tune Repertoire: Old Joe Clark". Mandolin Sessions (Mel Bay Publications). Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  4. ↑ Brody, David (1983). The Fiddler's Fake Book. New York: Oak Publications. p. 207. ISBN 978-0-8256-0238-2.
  5. ↑
    • 1927: Ben Jarrell

External links

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/song-midis/Old_Joe_Clark.htm#.UY0_eisjqQQ