Soldiers Joy, I first learned this song on a banjo. Over the years I became very fond of old Irish fiddle tunes. They are fun, I can sit and play them for hours. This song is really a very old fiddle tune, first and foremost. I never met a fiddler who didn’t play it. I wonder if @Magpie knows this tune by a different name?
Historians say the melody originated in Scotland centuries ago.. It’s had many variations and names. Here in the states the current name came from the civil war, Soldiers Joy, which actually refers to a concoction of whiskey, beer, and morphine drank during the war by soldiers on both sides.
Anyway, here are two versions. The first is played “claw hammer style” on a banjo the way I learned it. (seems we had a member a few months ago who’s user name was “claw hammer”). The second is played by a fiddle...
I don't know the artists on either rendition. Just mp3s that ended up on my computer.
Banjo - key of C
Fiddle - key of D
Historians say the melody originated in Scotland centuries ago.. It’s had many variations and names. Here in the states the current name came from the civil war, Soldiers Joy, which actually refers to a concoction of whiskey, beer, and morphine drank during the war by soldiers on both sides.
Anyway, here are two versions. The first is played “claw hammer style” on a banjo the way I learned it. (seems we had a member a few months ago who’s user name was “claw hammer”). The second is played by a fiddle...
I don't know the artists on either rendition. Just mp3s that ended up on my computer.
Banjo - key of C
Fiddle - key of D
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