It’s always fun to learn a new tune for Fiddle Tune a Day. And, today is one of those days. June Apple is a tune that I have heard a few times, but wasn’t one that I have really played before. So in the tradition of fiddling, I gave it a go, and I think it turned out OK.
Steve and I had fun and that’s what really matters. 🙂
June Apple according to Fiddler’s Companion
JUNE APPLE [1]. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Virginia. A Mixolydian. Standard or AEae (Tommy Jarrell) tunings. AB (Silberberg): AABB (most versions). A June apple is an early ripening variety of apple, maturing in the spring in the southern United States. It tends to be smaller and more tart then later-ripening apples. Most versions are in the mixolydian mode, although Benton Flippen (b. 1920, Surry Country, N.C.) plays it in A major. The late Mt. Airy, North Carolina, fiddler Tommy Jarrell (b. 1901) sang these words to the ‘B’ part:
***
Wish I was a June Apple
Hanging on a tree
Every time my true love passed
She’d take a little bite of me
***
Going across the mountain
I’m Going in a swing
When I get on the other side
I’m gonna hear my woman sing
***
Don’t you hear that banjo saying
I wish that gal was mine
Can’t you hear that banjo saying
I wish that gal was mine
***
Charlie he’s a nice young man
Charlie he’s a dandy
Charlie he’s a nice young
He feeds the gals on candy
***
Over the river to feed my sheep
Over the river Charlie
Over the river to feed my sheep
Feed them on barley
***
Wish I had some sticks and poles
Build my chimney higher
Ever time it rains or snows
Puts out all my fire
***
Joel Shimberg points out that the lyrics to “Train on the Island” scan for the “June Apple” melody and are sometimes sung to it as ‘floating verses.’ Sources for notated versions: Red Clay Ramblers (N.C.) [Brody]; Uncle Charlie Higgins (Galax, Va.) [Krassen]; Allan Block and Andy May [Spandaro]; W.B. Reid/M. Gaponoff [Silberberg]; Carthy Sisco [Silberberg]; Benton Flippen (Surry Co., N.C.) via Jody Stecher [Fiddler Magazine]. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 153. Fiddler Magazine, Winter 2008/09, vol. 15, No. 4; pg. 8. Johnson (Kitchen Musician No. 2: Old‑Timey Fiddle Tunes for Hammer Dulcimer, Fiddle, etc), 1982 (revised 1988, 2003); pg. 6. Krassen (Appalachian Fiddle), 1973; pg. 34‑35. Phillips (Fiddlecase Tunebook), 1989; pg. 24. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), 1994; pg. 130. Silberberg (Tunes I Learned at Tractor Tavern), 2002; pg. 79 (two versions). Spandaro (10 Cents a Dance), 1980; pg. 37. Chubby Dragon CD1008, Brad Leftwich, Bruce Molsky et al – “Mountairy.usa” (2001). County 713, Cockerham, Jarrell, and Jenkins‑ “Down to the Cider Mill” (Tommy Jarrell learned the tune from his father, Ben Jarrell). Folkways FTS 331038, Roger Sprung and Hal Wylie‑ “Bluegrass Blast.” Heritage 054, Smokey Valley Boys ‑ “Brandywine ’83: Music of French America” (1984). Marimac AHS #3, Glen Smith – “Say Old Man” (1990. Learned from Tommy Jarrell). Marimac 9000, Dan Gellert & Shoofly ‑ “Forked Deer” (1986. Learned from Tommy Jarrell). Tennvale 002, Red Clay Ramblers‑ “Galax ’73.”
Wonderful musical performance !
Thanks, Michael. It's always fun to make music with Steve Eulberg. We are going to be doing a number of shows together this summer.