- Style
- Old-time
- Tradition
- Kentucky and Virginia old-time
- Form
- Reel
- Keys
- G and A
- Level
- 2
- Played on
- Fiddle, Mandolin, and Banjo
In the public domain. Source
Music
100bpm
Click any note to start from there
Chord chart
History
This Sally Ann belongs to a family of tunes that includes "Sail Away Ladies" and "Great Big Taters in Sandy Land." The Lomaxes printed a song version called "Sandy Lan" in 1934, and one guess is that "Sally Ann" began as a mishearing of "Sandy Land." Jeff Titon hears the second part in the "Run Johnny Run" family and thinks it may have African American roots.
Kentucky fiddler Doc Roberts recorded it in 1931, and his version is the one most fiddlers learn. John McCutcheon has said it could pass for the anthem of Scott County, Virginia, where it was Beachard Smith's signature tune.
O where are you going, Sally Anne? I'm going to the wedding, Sally Anne. O shake that little foot, Sally Anne, You're a pretty good dancer, Sally Anne.