Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher

Subject: The Crippled Kingfisher
From: CelesteF
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 12:24 PM

In "The Spring of '65", there's a verse that mentions a fiddle tune called 'The Crippled Kingfisher'. Does anyone know this tune?

The song is on Folkway's "Mountain Music of Kentucky." It seems to be a relative of "1845" (recorded by Harry Tuft on 'Across the Blue Mountains").

Here's the verse:

I'll tell you of our party and how it did commence / When us four jolly drunk boys got on the floor to dance / The fiddler being willin', his arm a-bein' strong, / He played "The Crippled Kingfisher" about four hours long

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: Bill D
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 05:18 PM

can't find any references(only to the song ABOUT it)...those fiddle tune names are slippery things. It might be real, or it might have 6 other names, with that one having been forgotten.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: CelesteF
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 01:20 PM

Too true Bill!

I know this request is a long shot, but wouldn't it be cool if it pans out? I'd like to do a medley of Spring of '65 and the song it mentions.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,Roldo
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 05:44 PM

I've been wondering about this as well. What does strike me is that if no such tune exists then is the Crippled Kingfisher reference to the "the Fisher King"? There's a lot of subtle Golden Bough vibe to this song - like the last verse which hints at Meanades and the Corn King.
If there isn't a fiddle tune called "The Crippled Kingfisher" I'd say Pete Stampfel has dibs on writing one.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 06:33 AM

I still sing the version from Mountain Music of Kentucky. How long have I been singing it? When I first started singing it, I was looking FORWARD to the spring of '65. I don't think I'll make the next one. :-) I aolways loved the last verse:

Come all you newsy women, who scatter news about
Don't tell no tales upon us, we're bad enough without
Don't tell no tales upon us, or kick up any fuss
You've been guilty of the same thing, perhaps a whole lot worse

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 04:49 PM

I've been wondering about this recently too - I think *I* will write 'The Crippled Kingfisher' but as a Scottish hornpipe!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 15 - 03:03 PM

I turned to Mudcat because I thought I was alone in pondering the existence of 'The Crippled Kingfisher'. Of course I'm not - and I wonder whether the Guest above has indeed written the tune as a Scottish hornpipe - I'd love to hear it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,#
Date: 03 Jun 15 - 07:49 PM

Check song #23 at

https://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/workman.htm

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,RA
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 10:17 AM

Thinking about this again after seeing the thread on 'Songs within songs'. Has any information come to light about the Crippled Kingfisher?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,#
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 10:34 AM

https://robertforce.com/SongsAndInstruction/Songs/SpringOf65.pdf

https://robertforce.com/SongsAndInstruction/Songs/SpringOf65.pdf

Mention of 'TCK" at that link.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,#
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 11:03 AM

I think that IF 'The Crippled Kingfisher' ever did exist as a fiddle tune, it is gone now. Every mention of it goes back to either the Spring of '65 or the Holy Model Rounders.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,#
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 11:26 AM

http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/workman.htm

Scroll way down to item 23: Newsy Women

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,RA
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 01:46 PM

Thanks. I'm particularly interested to establish whether there ever was a tune by that name. Perhaps I should ask in a more specifically tunes- and instrumental music-based forum...

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Crippled Kingfisher
From: GUEST,Forrest
Date: 19 Mar 25 - 01:06 PM

Upon very light research, it seems very possible that who ever wrote this song was alluding to the kingfisher irish dance style, rather than a music piece.
While it doesn't explicitly say its a dance, 4 hours of a dance is sure to cripple your body. I feel like the most realistic story is that it is a piece lost to time, but equally possible a writer got a bit funky with his lyrics to make it fit in the verse.