Rocky Top is one of a handful of quintessential banjo songs. This particular arrangement is from "Banjo" Ben Clark, but the song was composed by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant. It is, apparently, an official state song of Tennessee.

Rocky Top

This is another well-known song, a sort of gospel blues number. This arrangement has a nice bluesy tint, thanks to the B-flat and F notes that make their way into this standard in the key of G major.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

This is an old-timey fiddle tune, I believe from the Ozarks. I learned it from some tablature in Banjo Newsletter.

Late For The Dance

This is the recording I took while I was playing this song for the weekly service at First Presbyterian Church in Olean, NY.

All Creatures Of Our God And King

I picked up this song, an old fiddle tune, from a workshop that I attended some years ago.

Dry and Dusty

This is an old Bill Monroe tune that is fun to play. It is a nice mix of Scruggsy-style licks and some nice melodic scale runs.

Gold Rush

"You Are My Sunshine" is a very well-known standard of country, folk, and bluegrass. It is, in a way, one of the original songs of jilted love, at least within the last century or so.

You Are My Sunshine

This is a song that was adapted from a poem of the same name. The idea existed in my head for some time, and then was completed and fully realized when I took a songwriting class this May.

Returned To Me On A Tilted Plane

Hey there! This is the first of a trio of recordings of original songs I hope to get out. So, some story behind this song, "Song of the Waterloo Soldier." This is the third and final version of this song - the words have remained the same, but the melody (and key) have changed. Such is how the process rolls. The origins of this song spring from an article I read in "Archaeology" magazine about the remains of a young soldier found on the field of the battle of Waterloo. His identity was unknown (although I believe he was later identified.) Regardless, it was a moving and poignant story, and a reminder that war comes with heavy, heavy costs, which is why we should, maybe, not try to have them. Anyway, enjoy my re-vamped version of this tune!

Song Of The Waterloo Soldier

This is the second of a trio of fairly new original songs. This song is based on a story my mom told me (as we were waiting to go whale-watching in Iceland). She said that during WWII, her father (Bob in the song, as his name was Robert) had a nearly illiterate friend for whom he would write letters. She didn't have many details, so the song is based on what information she did have, and I imagined the rest. I never knew my grandfather Bob, so this song is a tribute to him and his kind-hearted actions.

The Letter

I'm an at-large banjo player and mandolinist. I like to wear colorful socks.

Meredith Anne Lang