According to multiple sources, fiddler James Bryan (Farewell Trion) from Mentone, Alabama said that this tune was originally played as a processional for evening services at camp meetings in Arkansas in the 19th century. His source was Tom Jackson, who learned it from Coleman Barwick, an old-time fiddler from Blountsville, Alabama. The composer is unknown. You can hear Bryan play his version in the mp3 file below.

The Tennessee Historical Society describes camp meetings as “...outdoor religious revival meetings popularized on the southern frontier during the early nineteenth century. These meetings generally lasted several days and attracted participants who traveled significant distances and camped on-site for the duration of the meeting.” 

According to the United Methodist Church, camp meetings were held in the summer months and were an important part of the Methodist movement in early America, but the concept was also popular with other denominations. The meetings or revivals could last 8-10 days or more, and were known to sometimes attract tens of thousands of participants. The popularity of these meetings gradually fell off, but had a brief resurgence after the Civil War. 

As this tune was originally used as a processional, it was likely played at a deliberate, or march-like pace. As heard today, it is an upbeat and jam-friendly two part tune, usually played in the key of D. Some players may use an alternate D tuning, such as DDAD, as in the video by the Canote Brothers below.

Thank you to Kathleen from Virginia, who sent us this 1998 recording from The Wolfe Bros. (Elk Creek, VA) in which they added lyrics to "Camp Meeting In July." Enjoy!

Want more "July" tunes?

The Third Of July - The Red Brush Rowdies (1928)

Fourth Of July At A Country Fair - The Georgia Yellow Hammers (1927)

Fourth Of July - Estill Bingham (from 1989 recording)

A Morning In July - Frank Quinn (1925)

Camp Meeting On The Fourth Of July

The Mound City Slickers