Cluck Old Hen

"Cluck Old Hen" (Roud 4235), also known by variants like "Cacklin' Hen", is a popular Appalachian fiddle and banjo tune ^[1] in the mixolydian or dorian mode (as in the score below which is in A dorian). It is played either as an instrumental or with lyrics, which vary from one version to another. One of the earliest reported transcriptions of the tune dates from 1886.^[2] The earliest recording is attributed to Fiddlin' John Carson, in 1923.^[3]

Synopsis

The song describes the exploits of an "old hen" who performs various acts, such as laying ten eggs for railroad men. The song is made up of 'floating verses' with chorus of the song generally going:^[1]

Cluck old hen, cluck and squall,
Ain't laid an egg since way last fall,
Cluck old hen, cluck and sing,
Ain't laid an egg since way last spring

Score

$<< \new ChordNames \chordmode { \set chordChanges = ##t a2:m g |%1 a2:m g |%2 a2:m g |%3 e2:m a:m |%4 a2:m c |%5 a2:m g |%6 a2:m c |%7 e2:m a:m |%8 } \new Staff \relative c''{ \key a \dorian \time 4/4 \repeat volta 2 { e4 a8( e g4) a8 g( e4) a8 e d4 fis e4 a8 e g( fis) g fis( e8) d( c4) a2 } \break \repeat volta 2 { a4 a c2 a4 a g2 a4 a8( b c) b c d( e8 d) c4 a a } } >>$

^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b McNeil, W.K (1993). Southern mountain folksongs : traditional songs from the Appalachians and the Ozarks (1st ed.). August House Publishers Inc. pp. 146–149. ISBN 0874832845.
^ Yates, Mike. "Far in the Mountains : Volumes 1 & 2 of Mike Yates' 1979-83 Appalachian Collection". Musical Traditions. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
^ "Cluck Old Hen". balladindex.org. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
^ Brody, David (1983). The Fiddler's Fake Book. New York: Oak Publications. p. 70. ISBN 0-8256-0238-6.

External links

History

Description in "Traditional Ballad Index of Folk Songs from the English-Speaking World", Folklore department, California State University, Fresno
Discussion thread regarding lyrics and origins, from Mudcat Café

Recordings and transcriptions

The sheet music
Recording by Fiddlin' and Family Powers information and mp3 download from Project Gutenberg*.

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[:0-1] McNeil, W.K (1993). Southern mountain folksongs : traditional songs from the Appalachians and the Ozarks (1st ed.). August House Publishers Inc. pp. 146–149. ISBN 0874832845.

[2] Yates, Mike. "Far in the Mountains : Volumes 1 & 2 of Mike Yates' 1979-83 Appalachian Collection". Musical Traditions. Retrieved 29 April 2013.

[3] "Cluck Old Hen". balladindex.org. Retrieved 2024-09-03.

[4] Brody, David (1983). The Fiddler's Fake Book. New York: Oak Publications. p. 70. ISBN 0-8256-0238-6.

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