Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?

Subject: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: GUEST,thelittlebouzoukithatcould
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 06:23 AM

Does anyone know the name of this tune being played on a barrel organ? Been trying to figure it out for a while but I'm stumped.

https://vocaroo.com/1ieXCMqOnXO8

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Nick Dow
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 09:13 AM

It sounds a bit as if it is a German tune. Does not ring any bells, though.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: meself
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 11:02 AM

No idea - but it's kinda nice. I can imagine the appeal in a world in which you weren't being subjected to recorded "background" music 24/7.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: GUEST,thelittlebouzoukithatcould
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 11:33 PM

This recording is taken from a video game set in Victorian London (Assassin's Creed Syndicate). The game features a lot of period music, mostly English and Irish folk songs and music hall songs. There's a few American tunes sprinkled in too, notably some stuff from Stephen Foster. Don't know if that narrows it down much but I'm thinking this barrel organ tune is likely something from those categories.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 11:41 PM

Well, it reminded me of the style of music hall songs but I couldn't match it to any specific song. Thanks for the extra info. It does help to narrow down the search.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 03:34 AM

I tried to find a list of tunes from the game but I only found clues on how/where to find each music box in the game, including the place names of locations. There are YouTube videos of each scene. Do you know where in London that particular music box was located? If you do you might be able to find the correct video.

(Note: Spoiler alert if you are also trying to play the game without clues it would take the fun out of it. LOL)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: GUEST,thelittlebouzoukithatcould
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 12:16 PM

It wasn't a music box, it's a tune being played on a barrel organ by one of the street musicians in the game. I think there's a few places where he can be found. Trafalgar Square is usually where I see him.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 02:20 PM

Thanks for the info. I suspect the tune may have been composed in barrel organ style for the game because it has a very simple melody and the rhythmic accompaniment is more obvious than the melody. When I listen to it the melody is repetitive with the same note lengths, unlike a song where the melody reflects the rhythm and length of the lyrics. I'm happy to be corrected on that assumption.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 04:54 PM

Ubisoft usually does a pretty good job of cross-marketing their stuff:

Assassin's Creed: Syndicate [Original Video Game Soundtrack]
The Sound Of Assassin's Creed Syndicate

Couldn't find the subject tune amongst any of the listed tracks or the usual sources.

Mix of trad & originals by American Austin Wintory backed by Australian comedy trio Tripod (Scott Edgar, Simon Hall & Steven Gates) but it seems there's quite a bit of variation in the individual editions.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 06:17 PM

Video: assassins creed syndicate, some barrel organ songs

The second tune starting at 1 min 20 sounds familiar. The tune you are looking for starts at 4 mins 30. One of the later tunes has a bit of the tune of Rule Britannia in it: Britons never never will be slaves.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 06:35 PM

There is a longer track list here - also scroll down to the second list:

Assassin's Creed: Syndicate soundtrack

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 06:40 PM

Ok, listen to this from the AC:S soundtrack and slow it down in your head and re-work it as a barrel organ tune.

Jokes Jokes Jokes

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 09:57 PM

I'm just wondering if GUEST,thelittlebouzoukithatcould is coming back to review my suggestion for the tune, or has identified the tune by another method. We appreciate feedback or further information on mystery tune searches.

My suggestion for the Jokes, Jokes, Jokes tune slowed down was just an idea. Am I the only one who can hear similarities? Do we keep on looking?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 03:27 AM

OPposted on thesession.org citing no cure response here. Their post was culled quickly I assume for being offtopic there.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 03:36 AM

In my opinion it is not an off-topic request for information here at Mudcat.

As the OP said on 24 Oct 25 - 11:33 PM

"The game features a lot of period music, mostly English and Irish folk songs and music hall songs. There's a few American tunes sprinkled in too, notably some stuff from Stephen Foster."

It definitely relates to some of the music on Mudcat.

I am simply asking for a response from the OP about whether the original question has been resolved or whether the search is still active.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: GUEST,thelittlebouzoukithatcould
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 03:59 AM

Hey Helen, apologies for the silence. It's been rather hectic over at my workplace and also in trying other avenues for this inquiry I neglected to check back here. So yeah, I tried my luck in a few other places, the session being one of them. So far there's still nothing.

Regarding your suggestion, while I agree that there are some similarities, I don't believe it's Jokes, Jokes, Jokes. Honestly I'm starting to think that your original theory of it being an original composition just for the game is correct.

My last ditch attempt at finding an answer to this is contacting David Gossage. He was the producer/arranger for all of the traditional music for the game. I sent him a message on his website a few days ago but he's yet to respond.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: What is this barrel organ tune?
From: Helen
Date: 31 Oct 25 - 04:36 AM

Thanks Guest, withthereallylongname. :-D (Sorry! Couldn't help myself!)

I also think that the group called Tripod could be contacted. They are a very clever bunch of Aussie musicians and I think they would be happy to help solve the musical mystery.         

GUEST,Phil d'Conch mentioned that band on 25 Oct 25 - 04:54 PM