Speed the Plough

Comment by Paul Draper on February 28, 2015 at 9:12am

Nice Mark. Are these your arrangements for the Knauff's?

Comment by Mark Weems on February 28, 2015 at 9:49am

Yes. Knauff transcribed local fiddle tunes into piano arrangements for his students.

Comment by Mike Wilkins on March 2, 2015 at 3:42pm

wow, the first part of that tune is very similar to the first part of the fiddle tune Whiskey Before Breakfast.

Comment by Al Smitley on March 2, 2015 at 4:38pm

.....or the other way around.  I'm assuming "Speed the Plough" predates "Whiskey Before Breakfast".

Hello, Mike.  I think we met at Harpers Ferry in November, 2011(?)

Comment by Wes Merchant on March 2, 2015 at 5:46pm

I believe you are correct on that Al.

http://www.fiddlehangout.com/archive/15925

Comment by Mike Wilkins on March 2, 2015 at 6:28pm

Hello Al. Yes, we met at the Banjo, Bones, and Fiddle workshop. Whiskey Before Breakfast is certainly a 20th century tune that I always felt sounded much older. Now I know why!

Comment by Al Smitley on March 2, 2015 at 7:22pm

I have a date for "Speed the Plough" as 1790, but I don't know where I got that date, and wherever I got it is merely the earliest date that I found for it.....meaning there could be an earlier date.

I just looked at the Fiddler's Companion website.  It looks like it might be safe to say that it dates from between 1785-1800.

Comment by Ian Bell on March 5, 2015 at 7:58pm

That sounds just great! Speed the Plow is the archetype for a few other tunes - Roxburgh Castle, Whiskey Before Breakfast and others...

Comment by CURTIS PAYNE on March 14, 2015 at 6:01pm

great song Mark, looking forward may at the court house. 

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