Arkansas singer and songwriter Jimmy Driftwood (who is best known for writing songs like “Tennessee Stud” and “The Battle of New Orleans”) is the original source for this popular fiddle tune, but his version was played on a cross-tuned fiddle (BEGB) and had an eerie, minor sound. Joe learned the setting he teaches in this lesson from Peghead Nation mandolin instructor John Reischman, and it has a punchier, more upbeat feel. With a standard AABB format in the key of A, this version is common at tune sessions around the country in recent years, although you might hear it called “Hunting the Buffalo” or even “We’re Gonna Hunt the Buffalo.” In this video, Joe teaches the A part of “Hunt the Buffalo.” Most of the action takes place on frets two and four of the top three courses.
