Jay-Hawk, Parke Hunter

[Joel Hooks]

Here is one that I have been asked for a few times.  The ABF only had a terrible manuscript version. 

This is the published version.   While it does have the title sheet, it lacks the 2nd banjo. It is a bit ragged (the paper and the piece) but it is the copy I have. 

https://archive.org/details/jay-hawk-a-ragged-rag-parke-hunter

[Jody Stecher]

The second banjo part is loud and clear on the Charles Mansell recording. Does the manuscript version have the second part? Maybe someone will feel inspired to create a clear clean copy.

"Ragged as a jaybird" is an old-expression that does not seem to be in common usage these days. Perhaps that contributed to the title. The title page has no illustrations to give us a hint. As far as I can tell a bird called a Jay-Hawk does not exist.   But the banjo solo exists.   The first part reminds me of Eli Green's Cake Walk which was published in 1896. The  Dallas copyright date is 1909. These dates don't indicate when either piece was *composed* or whether one is derivative of the other.

[Trapdoor2]

Jay-Hawk was a somewhat derogatory term for a thief or bully in the day, occasionally used in the same manner as the Brit slang "nicked".

Originally coming from anti-slavery guerrilla groups plundering the Kansas territory, it morphed over time to meaning anyone from Kansas. Allegedly from a mythical bird.

Since we have a piano part and a recording, the 2nd shouldn't be too tough.

[Joel Hooks]

Yeah, I just figured it was a reference to Kansas.

There is a second, there just was not one in the box I have.

[Trapdoor2]

Oddly enough, the Dallas 2nd is in the ABF holdings alongside the pitiful 1st MS. The Dallas 1st isn't in there.

I started to Tab it out back 15yrs ago but for some reason, I never made it beyond the A part. I've put it back in the queue...and I'll include the 2nd.