Annotation:Jack of Diamonds (3)
Tune properties and standard notation
JACK OF DIAMONDS [3]. AKA and see "Rye Whiskey (1)," "Drunken Hiccups (1)." Old-Time, Fiddle Piece (3/4 time). USA; central West Virginia, western North Carolina. DGdg tuning (Harvey Sampson) (fiddle). This old tune (which often goes by the name "Rye Whiskey" or "Drunken Hiccoughs" in the South and Midwest) has been often used as a song tune as well as an instrumental piece. The 'Jack of Diamonds' title comes from one of the lines in the song:
Jack of diamonds, jack of diamonds,
I know you from old;
You've robbed my poor pockets
Of silver and gold.
Bayard (1981) thinks the vocal set preceded the instrumental versions (see notes for "Drunken Hiccups (1)." North Carolina fiddler Tommy Jarrell learned the tune from his father, Ben Jarrell (who recorded it in 1927), who had it from a renowned 19th century fiddler named Houston Galyean, "which seems to date (the tune) back at least to the Civil War days" (Richard Nevins). The tune can be heard played by the band in the bar room scene of Walter Hill's 1980 film The Long Riders.
Source for notated version:
Printed sources:
Recorded sources: Augusta Heritage Recordings AHR-004C, Harvey Sampson and the Big Possum String Band - "Flat Foot in the Ashes" (1986/1994. Learned by Calhoun County, W.Va., fiddler Harvey Sampson from his father). County 723, Cockerham, Jenkins, and Jarrell- "Back Home in the Blue Ridge." County 790, Leftwich & Higginbotham - "No One to Bring Home Tonight" (1984).