I am a bluegrass banjo player, as is the comedian Steve Martin. In the 1970s, he would often proclaim that you simply CAN’T sing a sad song with banjo accompaniment. Then he’d do it.  It sounded absurd and he’d get a big laugh.

Nothing could be more untrue—you can play all sorts of depressing music with a banjo. (Here’s a brief discography to prove it.)  But I can’t even tell you how many times people have repeated that Steve Martin line to me, apparently believing it

Muddy Water
https://youtu.be/hPoEDHWfDVw

Wayfaring Stranger
https://youtu.be/FMrBCJObQOk?si=EfnSjB0NIlIbBzkF

Short Life Of Trouble
https://youtu.be/wKYrHvCWauY?si=cqpfUDckx7R77vly

For The Widows In Paradise, For The Fatherless In Ypsilanti
https://youtu.be/d4tkiGvV_ek?si=PQCAonDuIgFXRtrV

The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
https://youtu.be/cZqN1glz4JY?si=rwbCL_hhMiIHo6Xh

The Devil Makes Three – A Moment’s Rest
https://youtu.be/lKTKlXsBZkc?si=VPee9dAc9aFwDQvL