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Old Joe Clark

Traditional American Folk Song

Old Joe Clark is a US folk song, a mountain ballad that was popular among soldiers from eastern Kentucky during World War I and afterwards. Its lyrics refer to a real person named Joseph Clark, a Kentucky mountaineer who was born in 1839 and murdered in 1885. The "playful and sometimes outlandish verses" have led to the conjecture that it first spread as a children's song and via play parties. There are about 90 stanzas in various versions of the song. The tune is based on an A major scale in the Mixolydian mode, but moreover has definite hints of a complete blues scale, namely, the flatted 3rd and 5th.

Although Old Joe Clark may have originated in the 19th century, no printed records are known from before 1900. An early version was printed in 1918, as sung in Virginia at that time. Old Joe Clark has been described as "one of the most widely known of all Southern fiddle tunes has, to a degree, become part of the national repertory. One may hear it in bluegrass jam sessions, old-time fiddle sessions, and country dances throughout the United States."

    Release Date: 1918


Old Joe Clark

Old Joe Clark

Rollo Dilworth has been bringing his considerable expertise and style to spirituals and American folk songs for a long time. His treatment of this Mountain ballad is fresh and a wonderful addition to treble choir repertoire.

Voicing: SSAA



Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-7 of 7 items.


Mary Goetze : Classic Folk Songs : SSA : Sheet Music Collection

Mary Goetze : Classic Folk Songs

Mary Goetze presents here a setting of the most familiar variant of this traditional folk ballad, "Scarborough Fair," in which two lovers make impossible requests of each other. The texture shifts from homophonic to imitative counterpoint. Brief dissonances created and resolved by stepwise progression of the accompanying voices reflect the bittersweetness of the text. "Hold the Wind," a simple yet stirring melody in the mixolydian mode, was sung by a blacksmith. The simple harmonization highlights the beauty of the melody. "Shenandoah" is set with very simple ideas which complement and support the motion of the beautiful melody. The accompanying voices can be learned quickly, for they sing like melodies and progress by step. "Old Joe Clark," a familiar fiddle tune of our American heritage is arranged in a playful setting which captures the flavor of the jocular text.

Songlist: Scarborough Fair, Hold The Wind, Shenandoah, Old Joe Clark

More details
Voicing: SSA | 9076b | Sheet Music Collection | $8.50 | A Cappella


Jay Althouse : American Folk Songs for Solo Singers - Medium Low : Solo : Songbook & CD : 038081397634  : 00-35567

Jay Althouse : American Folk Songs for Solo Singers - Medium Low

Most vocal teachers have already discovered Jay's extremely popular Folk Songs for Solo Singers collections. And now, Alfred is excited to offer another for vocal students and their teachers! American Folk Songs for Solo Singers includes an excellent variety of solo material for recitals, concerts, and contests, available in two voicings.

Songlist: Bright Morning Stars, Down in the Valley to Pray, Honey Babe, How Can I Keep from Singing?, My Lord, What a Mornin', Nine Hundred Miles, Old Joe Clark, Pretty Little Girl, Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Sun Don't Set in the Mornin', The Water Is Wide

More details
Voicing: Solo | 7258b | Songbook & CD | $24.95


Jay Althouse : American Folk Songs for Solo Singers - Medium High : Solo : Songbook & CD : 038081397603  : 00-35564

Jay Althouse : American Folk Songs for Solo Singers - Medium High

Most vocal teachers have already discovered Jay's extremely popular Folk Songs for Solo Singers collections. And now, Alfred is excited to offer another for vocal students and their teachers! American Folk Songs for Solo Singers includes an excellent variety of solo material for recitals, concerts, and contests, available in two voicings.

Songlist: Bright Morning Stars, Down in the Valley to Pray, Honey Babe, How Can I Keep from Singing?, My Lord, What a Mornin', Nine Hundred Miles, Old Joe Clark, Pretty Little Girl, Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Sun Don't Set in the Mornin', The Water Is Wide

More details
Voicing: Solo | 7260b | Songbook & CD | $24.95


Jay Althouse : American Folk Songs for Solo Singers - Medium High : Solo : Songbook : 038081397580  : 00-35562

Jay Althouse : American Folk Songs for Solo Singers - Medium High

Most vocal teachers have already discovered Jay's extremely popular Folk Songs for Solo Singers collections. And now, Alfred is excited to offer another for vocal students and their teachers! American Folk Songs for Solo Singers includes an excellent variety of solo material for recitals, concerts, and contests, available in two voicings. Titles: Bright Morning Stars * Down in the Valley to Pray * Honey Babe * How Can I Keep from Singing? * My Lord, What a Morning * Nine Hundred Miles * Old Joe Clark * Pretty Little Girl * Shenandoah * Simple Gifts * Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child * Sun Don't Set in the Mornin' * The Water Is Wide.

Songlist: Down in the Valley to Pray, Honey Babe, How Can I Keep from Singing?, My Lord, What a Morning, Bright Morning Stars, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Sun Don't Set in the Mornin', The Water Is Wide, Old Joe Clark, Pretty Little Girl, Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, Nine Hundred Miles

More details
Voicing: Solo | 10007b | Songbook | $15.95


Richard Johnston (editor) : Folk Songs North America Sings : Solo : Songbook : 073999809046 : 1458424871 : 50480904

Richard Johnston (editor) : Folk Songs North America Sings

This superb 382-page resource contains more than 350 North American folk songs, carefully sequenced both rhythmically and melodically for use with the Kodály method, which is based on authentic Hungarian folk music. The collection features information about solfege, form, phrase, length, range, rhythmic construction, and more.

Songlist: Jubilee, 1 2 3, Ah Vous Dirai-Je, Maman? (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star), Animal Song, Frog Went A-Courtin', Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Christus Natus Hodie, Goodbye, Old Paint, All The Pretty Little Horses, Let Me Fly, Cumberland Gap, On Springfield Mountain, Jesus Born In Beth'ny, Alphabet Song, I Wonder As I Wander, Daddy Shot A Bear, Down In The Valley, Soldier Boy, Little Bird, Skip To My Lou, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Pretty Saro, London Bridge, The Farmer In The Dell, Hickory Dickory Dock, I Got A Letter This Morning, Riding In A Buggy, Awake, (Go Tell Aunt Rhody) The Ole Grey Goose Is Dead, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 2577b | Songbook | $49.00 | Voice and Piano


Various : The Big Book of Folksongs : Solo : Songbook : 884088633721 : 1458421155 : 00312549

Various : The Big Book of Folksongs

A comprehensive collection of over 120 folk favorites, including: All Night, All Day - The Banana Boat Song - Cotton Eyed Joe - Down by the Salley Gardens - Frere Jacques (Are You Sleeping?) - How Can I Keep from Singing - John Henry - Man of Constant Sorrow - O Happy Day - Pop Goes the Weasel - Somebody's Knockin' at Your Door - Three Blind Mice - and many more.

Songlist: I Know Where I'm Goin', The Lark In The Clear Air, I Never Will Marry, Tom Dooley, I've Got Peace Like A River, The Banana Boat Song, Somebody's Knockin' At Your Door, Soon I Will Be Done (Trouble Of The World), Steal Away (Steal Away To Jesus), Simple Gifts, The Lonesome Road, Goodbye, Old Paint, All Night, All Day, All The Pretty Little Horses, The Bamboo Flute, Ein Prosit Der Gemutlichkeit (To All Good Cheer), Krakowiak (Darling Maiden, Hark, I Ask Thee), Great Day, Down By The Sally Gardens, Siyahamba (We Are Marching In The Light Of God), O Tannenbaum, Water Is Wide, O Happy Day, 'Tis The Last Rose Of Summer, We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder, Mrs. Murphy's Chowder, Animal Fair, And The Green Grass Grows All Around, Follow The Drinkin' Gourd, Aupres De Ma Blonde (Nearby To My Dear One), and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 10252b | Songbook | $24.95 | PVG


Various Arrangers : American Folksongs & Spirituals : Solo : Songbook : 073999207965 : 0793559219 : 00310138

Various Arrangers : American Folksongs & Spirituals

75 songs of American heritage, including: All The Pretty Little Horses - Arkansas Traveler - Aura Lee - Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair - The Blue Tail Fly - Buffalo Gals (Won't You Come Out Tonight) - Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie - Cotton Eyed Joe - Deep River - Down In The Valley - The Drunken Sailor - Git Along, Little Doggies - Home On The Range - Hush, Little Baby - I've Been Working On The Railroad - Joshua (Fit The Battle Of Jericho) - Never Said A Mumblin' Word - Oh! Susanna - Old Joe Clark - The Red River Valley - She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain - Shenandoah - Simple Gifts - Steal Away - The Streets Of Laredo - Wayfaring Stranger - and many more!

Songlist: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Poor Wayfaring Stranger, The Wabash Cannon Ball, Somebody's Knockin' At Your Door, Soon I Will Be Done (Trouble Of The World), Steal Away (Steal Away To Jesus), This Little Light Of Mine, Simple Gifts, The Lonesome Road, All My Trials, All The Pretty Little Horses, Frankie And Johnny, Deep River, Down In The Valley, Skip To My Lou, Turkey In The Straw, Animal Fair, Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, When The Saints Go Marching In, Arkansas Traveler, Home On The Range, I've Been Working On The Railroad, Yankee Doodle Boy, Aura Lee, Standin' In The Need Of Prayer (Standing In The Need Of Prayer), Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, There Is A Balm In Gilead, The Red River Valley, John Henry, Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 20381b | Songbook | $17.95 | PVG


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-10 of 10 items.


Old Joe Clark : SSA : Mary Goetze : Traditional : Songbook : 48003965 : 073999773859

Mary Goetze : Old Joe Clark

This familiar fiddle tune of our American heritage is arranged in a playful setting which captures the flavor of the jocular text.

Arranger: Mary Goetze | Composer: Traditional | Country: United States

More details
Voicing: SSA | Sheet Music | $2.15 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 48003965


Old Joe Clark : SAB : Neil Johnson : Sheet Music : 42315030 : 073999887709

Neil Johnson : Old Joe Clark

Showy yet practical...and great fun! Available: 3-Part Mixed.

Arranger: Neil Johnson

More details
Voicing: SAB | Sheet Music | $2.65 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 42315030


Old Joe Clark : TTBB : Matthew Armstrong : Sheet Music : 00-43180 : 038081487229

Matthew Armstrong : Old Joe Clark

The age old tale of Old Joe springs to life in this energetic setting for men. Solid part-writing and a sizzling piano accompaniment make this perfect for that lighter moment in any program. Optional instruments and sound effects add to the fun.

Arranger: Matthew Armstrong

More details
Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $2.00 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00-43180


Old Joe Clark : SATB : Dan Davison : Sheet Music : BL979

Dan Davison : Old Joe Clark

Davison's arrangement of the famous American folk song, Old Joe Clark, was written to help mixed choirs of all abilities succeed. Throughout Davison's arrangement, the tenor and bass parts are supported in other sections to help bolster their performance. With an exciting, rhythmic accompaniment, these very accessible vocal parts still provide a flashy ending making it a perfect program closer for any ensemble

Arranger: Dan Davison

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.50 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| BL979


Old Joe Clark : 2-Part : Kirby Shaw : Sheet Music : 08551161 : 073999127607

Kirby Shaw : Old Joe Clark

Your young singers will love this fun arrangement of the popular American folksong. Available: 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 2:10.

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Country: United States

More details
Voicing: 2-Part | Sheet Music | $2.65 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08551161


Old Joe Clark : TB : Roger Emerson : Sheet Music : 08551737 : 073999346138

Roger Emerson : Old Joe Clark

This first arrangement in the new Discovery Series for Men is perfect for introducing ensemble singing to your young men. Limited ranges and a snappy accompaniment practically guarantee success.Available separately: TB and ShowTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 2:45.

Arranger: Roger Emerson | Country: United States

More details
Voicing: TB | Sheet Music | $2.10 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08551737 | Showtrax CD Available


Old Joe Clark : SAB : Russell Robinson : Sheet Music : 08564288 : 884088309848

Russell Robinson : Old Joe Clark

Here is a fresh and creative setting of the popular American folksong with a slightly different twist! Your singers will love the swinging treatment and the energized vocal stack at the end.

Arranger: Russell Robinson | Country: United States

More details
Voicing: SAB | Sheet Music | $1.70 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08564288 | Showtrax CD Available
Other Voicings: 2-Part


Old Joe Clark : SATB : Dwight Bigler : Sheet Music : WW1791 : 785147023562

Dwight Bigler : Old Joe Clark

Old Joe Clark is a tremendously fun American folksong from the Appalachian region. Fantastic and fun vocal lines are supported by a lively, yet accessible, piano accompaniment. Add spoons and clapping/stomping for a great time!

Arranger: Dwight Bigler

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $3.20 | Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| WW1791
Other Voicings: SSAA, TTBB


Old Joe Clark : SATB : Greg Gilpin : Sheet Music : 00-46932 : 038081535814

Greg Gilpin : Old Joe Clark

This extraordinary arrangement of the traditional American folk song belongs in every choral library! An urgent "round and around" vocal motive serves as a rhythmic engine throughout the entire piece as the modal melody gets playfully tossed from voice to voice in a variety of styles, but always with class, creativity, and good humor.

Arranger: Greg Gilpin | Country: American Folk

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.20 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00-46932
Other Voicings: SAB


Old Joe Clark : SSAA : Rollo Dilworth : Sheet Music : 00333977 : 840126907933

Rollo Dilworth : Old Joe Clark

Rollo Dilworth has been bringing his considerable expertise and style to spirituals and American folk songs for a long time. His treatment of this Mountain ballad is fresh and a wonderful addition to treble choir repertoire.

Arranger: Rollo Dilworth | Country: American Folk

More details
Voicing: SSAA | Sheet Music | $2.50 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00333977 | Digital Version Available

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