Annotation:Jerry and Tom

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JERRY AND TOM. American, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. The title is not a variant of "Tom and Jerry," which is the name of several traditional tunes in both British and American repertoire, but rather the name of two of source Chapman's cats (he had some sixteen of them). Chapman, aware the Tom-and-Jerry titles were 'taken', put 'Jerry' as the first name of his tune to avoid confusion. The melody, while played as a reel, is very "hornpipey" (especially at the cadences) and, slowed down with dotted rhythm could pass as one.

Source for notated version: Owen "Snake" Chapman (1919-2003, Canada, Pike County, Ky.) [Milliner & Koken].

Printed sources: Milliner & Koken (Milliner-Koken Collection of American Fiddle Tunes), 2011; p. 335. Songer (Portland Collection, vol. 2), 2005; p. 99.

Recorded sources: Rounder CD 0378, Owen "Snake" Chapman - "Up in Chapman's Hollow" (1996).

See also listing at:
Hear Owen Chapman's recording at Slippery Hill [1]