Tommy Jarrell: Poor Ellen Smith (1983)

"Poor Ellen Smith," performed by Tommy Jarrell on fiddle and vocal at his home in Toast, North Carolina. Shot by Alan Lomax and crew, July 23, 1983. For more information about the American Patchwork filmwork, Alan Lomax, and his collections, visit culturalequity.org. [03.27.21]

[@codylykins]

Very Very Good. There ain't nothing Better then this Good Old Time Music. I love this song. This is a song I heard Molly O'Day sing. Awesome Old Time Fiddle Tune.

[@HWKUK]

Thanks for the music sir .... RIP Tommy Jarrell your music will live on.

[@mrskota1]

love Tommy Jarrell. In the league of the greats...

[@dandestructobot86]

I think I'm related to him. I'm also a bluegrass/old time musician. This is amazing.

[@appalachiancookingwithbren1411]

very good ' thank you.

[@gadaya]

Thanks for all this wonderful footage...

[@craigmulcahy]

Awesome!

[@JoeMomma-yk6qb]

I grew up in MT Airy, nc, Winston Salem is only 1 hour away, 35 mins if your booking it

[@sjkentucky]

dang!

[@steviebkhall]

The twangs. bluegrass blues.Thanks for posting.David Garritt try that one okupelican !

[@dhibb001]

swag!

[@peterwhite7428]

Thanks to Alan Jabbour for this

[@Tylerjamesnall]

Pretty sure. I had my crappy student fiddle set up by an older lady out in California, and it's about the same spot. If that helps at all..

[@weirdbeard63]

Not the traditional lyrics, but I dug it anyway.

[@allencooke6794]

It's my understanding that Tommy's father Ben Jarrell learned this song from Peter de Graf who was selling it from the jail in Winston-Salem, NC.