John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “The Blackest Crow”

Mandolin master plays a Civil War-era tune that he also teaches in his Old-Time Mandolin course.

When John Reischman was in the Peghead Nation studio to shoot new lessons for his Old-Time Mandolin course, he recorded a lesson for The Civil War–era song “The Blackest Crow,” which is also known as “As Time Draws Near” and “My Dearest Dear,” the name that old-time fiddle legend Tommy Jarrell gave it. John teaches the tune in his Old-Time Mandolin course, and in this video, he plays the tune with Peghead Nation co-founder and instructor Scott Nygaard accompanying him on guitar (and with a brief guest appearance by Peghead Nation Studio Dog, Shyla, who suggests yet another name for this popular tune).

John also recorded the tune under the “As Time Draws Near” title on The Road West, his 2005 album with John Reischman and the Jaybirds.

To learn “The Blackest Crow” and other great traditional tunes, sign up now for John’s Old-Time Mandolin course on Peghead Nation. And to learn dozens of Reischman tunes, sign up now for his Melodic Mandolin Tunes course on Peghead Nation. Use promo code JohnLand at checkout and get your first month free.

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