Annotation:Missouri Waltz
MISSOURI WALTZ. American, Waltz. USA; Missouri, Pa., Arizona. F Major {Phillips}: G Major ('A' part) & E Minor ('B' part) {Beisswenger & McCann, Guntharp}. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA' (Phillips): AA’BB (Beisswenger & McCann). Composed in 1914 [1], credited to John Valentine Eppel, arranged by Frederick Knight. However, some believe that it was actually an earlier composition by Jelly Settles. Minstrel-type lyrics were later added to it, and despite the offensiveness of the dialect and content it was designated the official Missouri state song in 1949. The tune was an "old standby" for Arizona fiddler Kenner C. Kartchner (early 20th century). The tune was occasionally played by Missourian Harry S. Truman while he was President on the piano at the White House, and it had been a campaign song of his in 1944. Despite this there are reports that Truman despised the tune. Drew Beisswenger (2008) remarks that it is seldom heard at the more informal fiddlers’ gatherings, although played occasionally for more formal events. Early sound recordings, according to Gus Meade, include those by harmonica player E.F. “Poss” Acree (1924), (Clayton) McMichen’s Melody Men (1927) and the Ranch Boys (1935).
