This is a lively two part fiddle tune in cross A tuning (AEae) from northeast Virginia fiddler John Ashby (1915-1979). The tune is found on Ashby’s “Down On Ashby’s Farm" album (1974) as “Gone To The Free State.” However Ashby, on Field Recorders Collective 108 ”John Ashby & The Free State Ramblers” clearly introduces the tune as “Going To The Free State” as one he wrote, and it is listed on the album as such. 

The "Free State" of Fauquier County, Virginia (home of the Ashby family) refers to an area of roughly 12 square miles located north and west of Warrenton that was known for its residents' defiance of authority and lawlessness dating back to colonial times. Disputes over property rights led residents to ignore rent and tax payments as they claimed ownership of the land they lived on. They declared themselves independent of the U.S. and even named a King. John Ashby’s uncle Charlie was King of the Free State in the late 19th century. Over the generations, stories were passed down about violence, fighting, bootleg liquor production, and tax avoidance in the Free State area. (ed. note: Reads kind of like the early history of East Tennessee, doesn’t it?) 

There are several tunes that have very similar melodies as "Going To The Free State," and (at least) a couple of more with the same title. First is a tune called “Clinton” which, according to The Traditional Tune Archive, is actually a misnomer stemming from a confusion in labeling of “Going To The Free State” by 'revival' fiddlers in the 1970's. As the tune spread, so did the erroneous title. The second example is one with the same melody that, according to Traditional Tune Archive, the Volo Bogtrotters play as Appleknocker." There is yet another tune with the same melody called “Halifax”, which comes from fellow Virginia fiddler N.H. Mills (1907-1981) of Boone’s Mill, VA. (Boone’s Mill is just south of Roanoke in Franklin County - Halifax is a city and county in south-central VA near the NC line.) There is no enlightenment from Mills regarding the origins of “Halifax.” Mills was protective of his privacy, and after he was recorded by Armin Barnett in 1972, he said to Barnett, "If anyone asks about me, tell them I'm dead." Next up is a tune called “Going To The Free State” attributed to southern Illinois fiddler Mel Durham (1914-2008). Durham’s tune appears on David Bragger’s “Big Fancy“ album (2016). Even though it's the same title, this is definitely not the same melody as Ashby’s tune - it is what most will recognize as “Avalon Quickstep”. "Avalon Quickstep" is well known, and attributed to the playing of the 1920’s Mississippi duo Narmour and Smith, so this appears to be another example of title confusion over the years. Durham knew of the inconsistency; after attending west coast festivals in 1992, he said that in Port Townsend (WA) there were some people who played "Going To The Free State" as "Avalon Quickstep". Lastly, John Ashby and the Free State Ramblers play a tune Ashby calls “Hornpipe In A” - but then Ashby additionally calls it “Free State Hornpipe.” The melody is not far from "Going To The Free State." Authorship is generally attributed to one of Ashby's musical influences, Winchester fiddler Ralph Lamp. (ed.note: It sounds to me a lot like a notey, hornpipe version of Going To The Free State. Could this have been the inspiration for Ashby’s tune?) 

Whatever you choose to call it - it’s a good tune. And you can take advantage of this 5 for 1 deal: learn the melody once, then play it as five different tunes - Going To The Free State, Clinton, Halifax, Appleknocker, and maybe even Free State Hornpipe! Learn lots more about Virginia fiddler John Ashby on our Music page.

Halifax

The Onlies

Clifftop 2018