When John Reischman was in the Peghead Nation studio to shoot new lessons for his Old-Time Mandolin course, he recorded a lesson for The Civil War–era song “The Blackest Crow,” which is also known as “As Time Draws Near” and “My Dearest Dear,” the name that old-time fiddle legend Tommy Jarrell gave it. John teaches the tune in his Old-Time Mandolin course, and in this video, he plays the tune with Peghead Nation co-founder and instructor Scott Nygaard accompanying him on guitar (and with a brief guest appearance by Peghead Nation Studio Dog, Shyla, who suggests yet another name for this popular tune).
John also recorded the tune under the “As Time Draws Near” title on The Road West, his 2005 album with John Reischman and the Jaybirds.
To learn “The Blackest Crow” and other great traditional tunes, sign up now for John’s Old-Time Mandolin course on Peghead Nation. And to learn dozens of Reischman tunes, sign up now for his Melodic Mandolin Tunes course on Peghead Nation. Use promo code JohnLand at checkout and get your first month free.
![]() |
Flynn Cohen, Marla Fibish, and Liz Simmons: Fred Finn’s and Sailing Into Walpole’s MarshPeghead Nation Irish Guitar and Irish Mandolin instructors play a great set of reels live in the studio. Read More |
![]() |
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Dawg’s Waltz”Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a David Grisman and Jerry Garcia tune. Read More |
![]() |
Noctambule: “Murmuration”Peghead Nation’s Irish Mandolin instructor and her duo partner play an original tune from their recently released album. Read More |
![]() |
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Singing As We Rise”The old-time duo plays the Joe Newberry original that won IBMA’s Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for 2012, live in the Peghead Nation studio. Read More |
![]() |
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “Sarafina”Mandolin master plays a new original tune that he recorded for his new album "New Time and Old Acoustic." Read More |
![]() |
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Tall Timber”Peghead Nation’s Monroe-Style Mandolin instructor plays a smoking version of a Bill Monroe classic with our co-founder. Read More |
![]() |
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Last Chance”Peghead Nation’s Monroe-Style Mandolin instructor and his duo partner play a classic banjo tune from Virginia old-time musician Hobart Smith. Read More |
![]() |
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Bluegrass Special”Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play classic Bill Monroe boogie-woogie tune. Read More |
![]() |
Flynn Cohen and Marla Fibish: “The Famous Ballymote” and “The Morning Star”Peghead Nation’s Irish Backup Guitar instructor flatpicks a set of reels with our Irish Mandolin instructor. Read More |
![]() |
Teja Gerken, Doug Young, Marla Fibish, and Bruce Victor: “Here Comes the Sun”An acoustic quartet arrangement of the Beatles classic. Read More |