About this tune

A highly syncopated local variant of the American tune Cotton-Eyed Joe has become quite popular among Prince County Fiddlers, particularly those of Acadian background. (see in particular the versions by Joe Albert, Louise Arsenault, and Dennis Pitre).

Cotton-Eyed Joe was popularized on PEI in the 1940s and 50s through the performances, recordings, and broadcasts of Don Messer and the Islanders. Messer undoubtedly learned the tune from American sources, but altered it considerably to suit his style and tastes. In the decades since, Prince County fiddlers have further altered the tune, and nowadays a typical Island rendition of Cotton Eyed Joe might seem virtually unrecognizable to the average American Country music fan.

Notation for this tune as played by Louise Arsenault is in Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island.

Fiddler Style