@Pat Spayd. Same. It is truly a timeless composition, especially the way Benny played it.

No argument from me, David. There are many wonderful versions of this beautiful composition, written by Benny's father Luke. But it's Benny's simple, tasteful delivery on it that brings me to my knees every time I hear it. And for many, it is the first introduction they have to cross tune fiddling and very often the first tune they learn when beginning to play cross tunes.

Cant argue with that!

Nope, no argument here, though Lonesome Midnight Waltz could be a close second ;)

Great old tune, David Bromberg did a great version as well ✌️

Me too, @Zwiebelkuchen. Me too.

@Britt Arnesen, it's good for our souls to get a musical vitamin boost every once in awhile. This tune and the way Benny plays it, does just that for a lot of us. Glad it's here for you.

Not likely to happen, but I understand your sentiment. It is without a doubt in my personal top ten favorite musical compositions ever. There are many very fine versions of this tune recorded by some of the best fiddlers, but nothing compares to the heart and soul that Benny put into his father's tune.

You are not alone, @Ben Wikoff. It's just one of those compositions that cut to the quick of the soul. Especially the way Benny plays it.

Me too, Cheryl. Always will be.

Glad you are enjoying them, Brandon. That's what they're there for.

Brings me to my knees every time I hear a recording of Benny playing this tune.

Ha! I see what you did there, Jed. 😆 Good one. (especially if it's to visit Benny on this tune...For myself, I will never grow tired of hearing his version.) You are welcome back anytime. The Joy of Fiddling channel is always open, always free, and all you can eat.

@@joyoffiddling thank you! I'm a month into learning how to play and it's going well.

Love to hear that. Welcome to the Fiddle Family, Jed!

No doubt, @dieter lowry. Benny had it all.

I think so, too, Adam.

Yes it is and yes he was.

Hey Jacob. Did you mean Tyler Childers? Well, your comment above took me to Tyler and his latest album release (2020). I do not normally promote websites, channels, or artists not already featured here on the Joy of Fiddling channel, but I'm going to make an exception with Mr. Childers as apparently all proceeds from will go to the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund, which supports underserved communities in the Appalachian region. It's good to see this timeless tune continue to be recorded and discovered by new listeners. Also nice that Luke Thomasson is given due credit as the composer of the tune. Glad that you bumped into the Joy of Fiddling channel, Jacob!

With fiddle tunes, it's very easy to get our wires crossed sometimes. Tunes with the same/similar titles but sound nothing alike. Or tunes that sound the same but have totally different names. However, if you were looking for "Lonesome Moonlight" but stumbled across "Midnight on the Water" I'd say that was a happy accident.

@Ronan Carolan....yes.

Actually, @Donald Bradley, I don't find your query odd at all...on the contrary, it's an excellent question and one that never occurred to me. I cannot give you a 100% definitive answer, but I'd be willing to wager there's a 99% chance that (sadly) no recording of Luke (Benny's father and composer of this tune) playing this tune ever existed. I would love to be wrong about that. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was such a recording?

Well said, Josiah. If there is a fiddle tune that stops me in my tracks, it is this one. If there is one fiddler whose version of this tune brings me to my knees, it's Benny.

"Midnight on the Water" is played here and traditionally in "DDAD".

Thanks so much. I spent many years fiddling in the Trad Irish community so really glad to hear him and grateful for the Tuning. His daddy sure did write a beautiful tune.

That's DDAD - sometimes called Dead Man's tuning - also used for Bonaparte's Retreat.

Hi @David Sykes. While I am unable to give you an accurate date the tune was composed, I can share that Benny's father Luke was the composer.

Ok, but I've played this for 20 tune years and have not heard of nor seen that name ever.

Made famous by Benny thomasson