The first banjo song ever documented, “Pompey Ran Away,” is first referenced in 18th century Scotland as a “Virginia Negro Jig.” The tune was likely played as early as the colonial era. The Traditional Tune Archive details the song as follows:
“American songwriter Dan Decatur Emmett's biographer, Hans Nathan, described it as "one of the earliest blends of European and primitive melodies," and conjectures that it is a collaboration between a British visitor who transcribed it from a transplanted African source. "It consists of English and Scottish folk song elements, but the frequent reiteration of a short-winded motive is the contribution of the slave.” How authentic the melody is to African or African-American tradition is unknown.”
This rendition of the tune is played by Mess No. 1 member Chris Propes on a minstrel banjo of his own creation. It was recorded by Jacob Bates at a National Park Service and Authentic Campaigner Civil War Living History Event commemorating the 160th Anniversary of Camp Nelson National Monument in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
“In some tents vocal or instrumental music was a feature of the evening. The usual medley of comic songs and negro melodies comprised the greater part of the entertainment, and, if the space admitted, a jig or clog dance was stepped out on a hard tack box or other crude platform.”
John D. Billings, Hardtack and Coffee, pp. 69-70.
In the Nutmeggers’ recordings featured on “In High Water: Songs of the Civil War,” we hope to do justice to those musicians who came before us, and especially those who gave their all, that we might see “a new birth of freedom.” We seek to honor the spirit and humanity of those brave souls who fought so that this nation might live. This is their music, and these are their stories.
Sources
“Pompey Ran Away.” Traditional Tune Archive, tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:Pompey_ran_Away.
“Pompey Ran Away.” Enslaved New England, enslavednewengland.org/2020/12/09/pompey-ran-away/.
“160th Camp Nelson Anniversary Commemoration.” National Park Service, www.nps.gov/cane/160th-camp-nelson-anniversary-commemoration.htm.
