This is Lovely !

John, terrific research there! Glad to know those things about the tune. The "ways of the folk process" are not only amazing but also wonderful. I love to see how a tune travels.

Sam... There's always next year

Terrific tune - one that I'd not come across before in the Sacred Harp. I'm sure you're right that the title of Edden Hammons's tune derives from the final line of the lyrics, and presumably represents another musical setting of these words. (Ever since I first heard the Hammons piece, a favourite of mine, I'd wondered where the unusual title could possibly come from.)

Something else that I found fascinating about Murillo's Lesson is that is clearly the tune from which 'Swedish Masquerade', a popular (some would say hackneyed) folk tune and dance in the UK, is derived. In the dance's present form the tune is in three parts, each part in a different rhythm (march, waltz, then polka). Despite the title it is actually said to be a Danish dance (in which the movements poke gentle fun at Swedish styles of dancing)! Undoubtedly the Sacred Harp version is the earlier form, and I understand from the web that the tune also appeared as an exercise piece in some early nineteenth century instrumental tutors. The ways of the folk process are amazing!

WOW ... wish you'd done that one at Vandalia. You'd a blowed 'em away!!!

This is a very pretty tune, and I love the sound of that dulcimer. Thanks for sharing this.

Sounded pretty good, Rob. I like the sound of your unknown dulcimer.

Great job Rob and I love the sound of the unknown dulcimer. It sounds great and so do you!

Randy... I know what you mean about that tune. I've been playing since you posted "Queen of the Earth." I keep humming or singing it a lot of the time. I'll check out that Wounded Hussar!

Mike... thanks a bunch!

That Murillo's is a good tune Rob....listened to it 3 or 4 times there then went for a walk and it kept going thru my mind the way you played it...

Here is a tune, Wounded Hussar, a march...sounds like the 'root' of Queen of the Earth....

http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/185300

& she plays a nice version of it here.

http://www.hangoutstorage.com/jukebox.asp?site=Banjo+Hangout&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebanjohangout%2Eorg%2Fmyhangout%2Fmedia-player%2Faudio_player%2Easp%3Fisjukebox%3Dno%26musicID%3D18234

So...add this tune, Wounded Hussar, and the title which he obviously liked from Sacred Harp....idk...coulda been?

Lisa, thanks for the kind comments. I, too, was straining to find a similarity between Randy's "Queen" and "Murillo." I couldn't find it either. Perhaps there's a missing link with couplet in it too. (putting on my Deerstalker cap and getting my calabash pipe.)

Thank you all for your kind comments.

John Henry, I had no idea who Phil Ranson was, but after doing a little research, I believe you paid me a high compliment there.

As for the instrument... I will probably post some pics soon. I thought it might be a cheap foreign thing. However, on examination it does have genuine Grover "old time/style" gears, just like Martin puts on some of their guitars. So, maybe it isn't.

Randy, Yep... I believe that's where the title comes from. I'm sure there was probably a singing school or 2 held up on them Mountains. Edden & the family probably all attended. I would have probably thought the same thing about that title, if I hadn't known Murillo's lesson. Well maybe I'll re-do it and throw in the words. It's only got one verse.

So maybe I was correct in thinking Eddn's tune sounded like it was derived from an old hymn. Can't quite catch a relationship between these two tunes though, sound wise.

Rob, great harmonies and a real nice playing touch you've got there.

This is nice Rob . I like the sound of the chords. Very pretty sound and DAA too. Did you hear that Wayne?

That's where the title comes from huh Rob? I was wondering b/c gentlemen of Edden Hammons age generally weren't given to naming the tunes some mystical/hippy-like title. Queen of the Earth Child of the Skies sounds like something that would be on a poster in one of them 'head shops' I frequented in the late 60's/early 70's.....ya know....where you bought ur rolling papers and pipes & whatnot... : )....

Nice playing Rob! And that is a nice sounding unit.....was hoping you'd break out in song tho...you get some real sweet dissonance the 1st time thru..... thx for putting this one up there for us...f'real....

Nice job, Rob! That's a neat tune.