Ashokan farewell

 A

“Ashokan Farewell” is a well-known American folk-style piece composed by Jay Ungar in 1982. Despite its name and nostalgic feel, it isn’t a traditional Civil War tune—it was written as the “farewell waltz” for the Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camps in New York’s Catskill Mountains, which Ungar co-ran with his partner, Molly Mason.

The tune gained widespread recognition when it was used as the theme music in Ken Burns’ 1990 PBS documentary The Civil War. Its haunting, bittersweet melody—often played on violin or fiddle with simple guitar or piano accompaniment—evokes deep emotion and a sense of longing.

Though modern in origin, it has become beloved in folk, bluegrass, and classical circles, often mistaken for a traditional 19th-century lament.

👉 Would you like me to:

• Give you the sheet music (notation and chords)?
• Show you guitar/violin tabs?
• Or explain how to play it step by step on your instrument?