# Help me identify an old-timey tune, please? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [May 22, 2025, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649 "2025-05-22T07:15:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/41 "2025-05-22T15:46:35Z")
Or more specifically, the guitar intro? It’s also heard in the intro to the Ink Spots’ “We Three”. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/42 "2025-05-22T17:48:50Z")
Wasn’t this one used in a Warner Bros cartoon with a goofy turtle? That’s what I think of when I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/43 "2025-05-22T18:01:42Z")
Maybe the Minah (Mynah?) Bird music. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8GrpHaMi4fQ/hqdefault.jpg "Minah Bird screenshots and theme song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GrpHaMi4fQ) ---
**Author:** ![Jaydubba77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Jaydubba77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaydubba77)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/44 "2025-05-22T18:02:18Z")
Arkansas Traveler is one that everyone has heard but may not know the title. This one is a long shot, but could it be the opening part of Washington Square by The Village Stompers? That has a some what western sound. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/45 "2025-05-22T18:08:47Z")
I know this one too. It’s Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture.” ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/46 "2025-05-22T19:06:05Z")
I can totally hear the music you’re describing in my head. Could it possibly be some Hollywood studio stock music kinda like this? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/f48lkG3FgbY/maxresdefault.jpg "Covered Wagon Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f48lkG3FgbY) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/47 "2025-05-22T19:17:40Z")
That’s a major key, but all the clip clopping songs I can think of seem to be in major. I’m stumped. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/48 "2025-05-22T20:22:51Z")
Lots of “do-do’s” in this one, but it’s still too cheery and upbeat. Listen to the clip from _ **Once Upon a Time in the West** _ again and you’ll sense the same mood of my piece. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/49 "2025-05-22T22:45:05Z")
That clip reminds me of the instrumental version of the[theme from the 1970 spaghetti western _They Call Me Trinity_.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2DScr9xhEw) The vocal version was used in the 2012 Tarantino picture _Django Unchained._ It was composed by Franco Micalizzi, but IMO would fit in well with Morricone’s soundtracks, which I’ve always thought were the best parts of those spaghetti westerns by Sergio Leone. The “meatballs” if you will. I know it’s not your song, because it’s not well enough known. But are we getting warm? PS: Thanks for this thread, I’m enjoying it! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/50 "2025-05-22T23:10:50Z")
You’ve got the mood right. Something clicked a few minutes ago while I was having a lie-down. I thought of honkey-tonks in old New Orleans, gamblers, the French Quarter, Bourbon Street. I’ve done a search for tunes with Bourbon Street in the title but haven’t found any even remotely close. I think I’m on the right track, though. (And no, it’s nothing to do with Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler.”) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/51 "2025-05-23T00:25:54Z")
“The Old Fun City” from _Butch Cassidy & tSK_ ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/52 "2025-05-23T00:42:54Z")
Okay, I picked out the first part on a virtual keyboard. The notes are: C3 F3 C4 C4 A#3 C4 F3 F3 / C3 F3 F3 C4 A#3 C4 / C3 F3 C4 C4 A#3 C4 F3 F3 / C3 F3 F3 G3 F3 E3 F3 The rhythm is: 4 1 2 3, 4 1 2 3. 4 1 2 three-and-a four! 4 1 2 3, 4 1 2 3. 4 1 2 three-and-a four! This is the best I can do without formal training. I hope you can read it. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/53 "2025-05-23T00:56:59Z")
**DING DING DING DING!!!** Yes, it is **WASHINGTON SQUARE** by **THE STOMPERS!!!** **THANK YOU!** 😘 You get a lobster dinner at Scott’s the next time we’re both in London!!! 😆 (And thanks for “Arkansas Traveler” too. It’s another one I knew but couldn’t name.) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/54 "2025-05-23T01:12:05Z")
A song about a beatnik hangout in New York City, played New Orleans style. “Way out West” indeed! ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/55 "2025-05-23T01:13:57Z")
Which also describes the final chorus of Paul Simon’s “That Was Your Mother.” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/56 "2025-05-23T01:15:16Z")
According to YouTube: _The Village Stompers “Washington Square” was the #1 Hit on the Adult Comporary Charts and reached # 2 on the Pop Charts in 1963. Washington Square Park is a landmark in the Greenwich Village area of New York City where the group got started._ Wow, 1963! I must have heard it dozens of times on my dad’s car radio when I was on summer vacation back in the '60s. I think it was the jazz part near the end that triggered my association with New Orleans. Never underestimate the Power of Music! > [https://youtu.be/ihenbyTzQ2A](https://youtu.be/ihenbyTzQ2A) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/57 "2025-05-23T01:26:33Z")
Ironic, innit? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jaydubba77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Jaydubba77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaydubba77)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/58 "2025-05-23T15:32:20Z")
Years ago that was one of the “tunes in my head” that I had to look up to get it out of my mind for a bit. I had heard it dozens of times but couldn’t remember the artist or title until it popped up on an oldies playlist one day. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/59 "2025-05-23T15:59:16Z")
Some great historical tidbits about Washington Square Park in that video. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649/60 "2025-05-23T17:21:38Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Yes, it is **WASHINGTON SQUARE** by **THE STOMPERS!!!** Actually, the Village Stompers. And, yes, I know that song well. Would never associate it with the Old West, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-old-timey-tune-please/1018649.md?page=4)