Sally in the Garden

This tune used to be mostly sung a hundred years ago, but nowadays it is almost always played as an instrumental. I may know why. The music itself has a thoughtful, classic sound that someone like Sally might enjoy while experiencing gardens for the first time this Spring. The lyrics, unfortunately, feature combinations of Sally working in the garden "siftin' sand," while poor Susie, "is upstairs with a hog-eyed man". Then the singer decides he's going to marry Sally. On the bright side, Sally is getting some fresh air and taking care of the place, and building her reputation as a total catch in Old Kentucky. The audio here also features a cardinal sin common among banjo players: speeding up. Slow, lilting melodies like Sally in the Garden play great on guitars and fiddles that sustain notes well, but they are hard on the banjo as its notes ring out quick and short. Said another way, I'm not good enough at this to make it sound full and smooth at a slow tempo. Banjo players who can are in top form.