Darling Nelly Gray - two finger banjo with tablature

Corresponding tab is available on the Banjo Hangout: www.hangoutsto...
Benjamin Hanby, a steadfast abolitionist, wrote the lyrics to Darling Nelly Gray in 1856. The banjo I am playing is a replica of a William E. Boucher minstrel banjo that he designed and built in the 1850s.
The banjo is in the relative open G tuning but is pitched down five half steps so that the actual tuning is dADFsharpA, and the key is D.
#banjomusic #twofingerbanjo #oldtimemusic #banjotabs

[@SkeeterMcBeater]

Dang, that thing resonates! You can hear the angels singing at that last chord.

[@banjojack]

Thanks Skeeter. Yeah, I love that banjo. Sounds even better live.

[@charlesbreeze6762]

Thank you Jack. You have a knack for playing songs that I like. Another one on my list. 😊

[@banjojack]

Thanks Charles. Enjoy!

[@kevincupy]

This is legitimately sweet tune. Truly 'preciate your pluckin', Sir! Warm greetings from Indonesia, far a-way as it heards :)

[@banjojack]

Thank you so much for those kind words, Kevin!

[@liscarlson2099]

Beautiful tune thank you.

[@banjojack]

Thank you too, Lis!

[@STP19]

Lovely Touch Jack. As always; Respect. STP

[@banjojack]

Thanks STP!

[@mikethompson8855]

Nice soothing tune! That’s a special banjo with a special sound…

[@banjojack]

Thanks Mike! And the irony is that the lyrics of the song are anything but soothing. It is the lament of a free black man in Kentucky whose lover (Nelly) was kidnapped in chains and hauled off to Georgia where she toiled the rest of her life as a slave. The forlorn lover is dying in the end and rejoices in seeing his Nelly again up in heaven.

[@Olddogbanjo]

⁠@@banjojack …. thanks for sharing this tune and a little of its history … I really like learning the history of these songs and your comment sent me to Google to learn more … so interesting!!!

[@steveallerton9124]

Thanks Jack !

[@banjojack]

Thanks Steve!

[@laybackeasy]

This sounds so great! I love the tonality of the fretless banjos. Thank you for sharing!

[@banjojack]

Glad you like it!