The haunting melody of the Ashokan Farewell is much more modern than you might think. Although the popular tune has been associated with 19th century fiddling, the piece belongs to the 20th century. American acoustic musician Jay Ungar, whose witty words regarding the tune form the title of this post, composed the Ashokan Farewell in 1982. Since the melody was first made famous by its use in Ken Burns' The Civil War documentary, the assumption of historical authenticity remains.
An excellent summary of the music's genesis and later fame is available on Jay and Molly Ungar's website: Ashokan Farewell FAQ
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