“Grey Eagle” is a traditional fiddle tune, likely named for a famous Kentucky racehorse of the 1830s; tune folios celebrating the horse and a noted 1838 race appeared soon after. The tune has circulated in many regional forms ever since.
A bright reel, “Grey Eagle” was reshaped in the twentieth century by Texas contest fiddlers, who turned what had been a fairly simple two-part tune into an elaborate showpiece. It remains a test of a fiddler’s skill.
The tune is a standard in old-time, bluegrass, and contest fiddling.
Assisted by AI.
Spot something off? Help us fix it.
