Jenny Hang the Kettle On / Old‑Time Traditional Folk Song / Mountain Banjo

Описание: This is my old‑time banjo version of the traditional tune “Jenny Hang the Kettle On,” a variant of the well‑traveled “Put the Kettle On” family found in Irish, British, and Appalachian music. The tune shows up in 19th‑century manuscripts, children’s games, and front‑porch fiddle traditions, with the name shifting between Jenny, Molly, and Polly depending on who was playing it.

I’m playing this on a mountain banjo fitted with a Remo Fiberskyn head in double C modal tuning, which gives it that mysterious, warm, thumpy, old‑time tone. I sing and play it in the index lead upstroke style. It`s just like clawhammer only you pick up instead of down with the index finger. It`s an old time drony rhythmic way of playing. I stay close to the tune’s roots in reel playing and early American folk tradition. I felt the song needed more verses so I found another verse on the web and also made up another verse, the one about bread in the oven.

Here is a link to my free Bandcamp mountain banjo compilation album. Well over a hundred songs and counting! Feel free to download and/or listen.

https://danddirges.bandcamp.com/


Thanks for listening


Jenny hang the Kettle On - Lyrics
Arranged and performed by Dan D. Dirges
Banjo tuning: eCGCD Double C modal tuning (relative)

How in the world do the people all know
I like sugar in my coffee, oh

Jenny hang the kettle on
Big one, little one
Jenny hang the kettle on
We`ll all take tea

Way down yonder in the valley, oh
Can’t get around with calico

Jenny hang the kettle on
Big one, little one
Jenny hang the kettle on
We`ll all take tea

Bread in the oven,
Taters in the pan,
Coffee on the stove
What a lucky man

Jenny hang the kettle on
Big one, little one, little one, big one
Jenny hang the kettle on
We`ll all take tea

Head like a coffee pot,
Nose like a spout.
Handle on the other side,
To pour the coffee out.

Jenny hang the kettle on
Big one, little one
Jenny hang the kettle on
We`ll all take tea

How in the world do the people all know
I like sugar in my coffee, oh

Jenny hang the kettle on
Big one, little one, little one, big one
Jenny hang the kettle on
We`ll all take tea

Way down yonder in the valley-o
My gals dressed in calico

Jenny hang the kettle on
Big one, little one, little one, big one
Jenny hang the kettle on
We`ll all take tea



#JennyHangTheKettleOn
#AppalachianMusic
#MountainBanjo