X:1
T:Cruel Master
N:"Ballydesmond Polka"?
N:From the playing of Texas fiddler and guitarist Lewis Thomasson, brother of the
N:better-known fiddler Benny Thomasson, both sons of fiddler
N:Lewis Thomasson (1874 - 1924). Lewis Jr's style has little of the influence of
N:western swing or contest style.
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:March
N:AEae tuning (fiddle)
Q:"Moderate"
D:Old Blue Records CD-501, Lewis Thomasson - "Old Texas Fiddle Tunes Played the Old Way" (c, 1969 or 1971).
D:https://www.slippery-hill.com/recording/ballenger
Z:Transcribed by Andrew Kuntz
K:Amix
E>[A,A] [A,A]A/-B/| (A/B/d)-d2|[GA]>[EA] [GA]>A| [G2A2] ([EA]<[DA])|
E<A [A,A](A/B/)|(A/B/d)-d2|(3efg (3edB |A2-A2:||
(3ef^g (3aga|{=c'}(3ba=g a2(g/a/|(3e)-ef (3gga|g2-ge/d/|
(3efg (3aga|(3bag a>g|(3efg (3edB| A2-A(A-|
[Ae])>a a2| abag a>(g|[Ae])>f [Ag]>[Aa]|[A2g2][Ae]d|
(3efg (3aga|(3bag a>g|(3efg (3edB| A2 A2:|]
CRUEL MASTER. American, March (2/4 time). A Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. The tune is very reminiscent of "Ballydesmond Polka (2)" (esp. in the first strain) and is perhaps a derivative, although the relationship (if any) is not clear. It is an unusual tune in American old-time repertory, sounding very much like a Scottish march or strathspey. It may be a reworking of melodic double-tonic material that sprouted in both Ireland and Scotland, and made its way somehow to Texas (if Thomasson is to be believed that it is an "old Texas fiddle tune").
Additional notes
Recorded sources : - Old Blue Records CD-501, Lewis Thomasson - "Old Texas Fiddle Tunes Played the Old Way" (c, 1969 or 1971).
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