I wrote a song -- it just sort of came to me as I was driving along. I started singing it a while back and I am now trying to finish the words. I THINK I wrote the tune --at least a tune I think is new came to me, but it sounds old- it certainly partially uses an old pattern. My son (who wouldn't really know) says it's old.

Does anyone know if there is a way to find out if a tune is original - or just something half-forgotten? I can't just call up the Copyright office and start humming--and in any case it would be over 100 years old.

I don't plan to do anything with it except sing to friends, but I still don't want to claim it as mine if it isn't. Ever been in this situation?