Speed the Plow

June 12th, 2015
music, tunes
If you're growing crops on fields, plowing is pretty important. Traditional music being mostly written by and for people working in agriculture, there's a lot of music about plowing, including at least four tunes called "Speed the Plow":

English


(link; another one)

This is the most commonly played tune by this name, and is the one in NEFR. It's played over a wide range of tempos, from slow hornpipes to contra dance speed.

Old Time #1


(link; another one)

I'll occasionally hear this version from American Old-Time musicians. Usually played on a cross-tuned fiddle with a lot of open strings.

Old Time #2


(link; another one)

This is my favorite version, and the one the Free Raisins play.

Irish


(link; another one)

I hadn't heard this one before looking through variations for this post.

Swedish


(link; another one)

Comment via: google plus, facebook, substack

Recent posts on blogs I like:

Food Fridays: Blueberry Cobbler

Here is my blueberry cobber recipe, by request of William Friedman.

via Thing of Things January 16, 2026

Why I Don't Think My Braces Were Worth It

A couple weeks ago, I got my braces off. I kind of wish I had never had them, though. When I was younger, two of my teeth were sticking out, and they looked kind of funny. I thought that my teeth were just fine, and I didn't want to get braces. But s…

via Anna Wise's Blog Posts January 3, 2026

Family Christmas

Unlike many families my family celebrates Christmas with really really a lot of our family. This past year there were about 29 people at my Grandfather's house in the week around Christmas. I know what you're thinking: how does that work? It's…

via Lily Wise's Blog Posts January 3, 2026

more     (via openring)