The story of Peter Francisco reads like a tall tale.
Hard to know where the truth ends and the embellishments begin.
Born in Portugal on the island of Terceira. Found on a dock in Virginia at the age of 5. Speaking no English at the time, he identified himself as “Pedro Francisco.”
He’d later become one of the heroes of the Revolutionary War. A larger than life character, rumored to have carried an 1100 pound cannon on his shoulder to keep it out of enemy hands. Singlehandedly defeated a band of Tarleton’s Raiders, then made off with their horses.
In the US, he’s known as the “Virginia Giant of the Revolutionary War.” In Portugal, there’s an award still being given in his name.
And somewhere along the way, a delightful little fiddle tune was composed in his honor.
Peter Francisco
aDADE tuning, Brainjo level 3-4
Notes on the Tab
Notes in parentheses are “skip” notes. To learn more about these, check out my video lesson on the subject.
For more on reading tabs in general, check out this complete guide to reading banjo tabs.
Level 2 arrangements and video demos for the Tune (and Song!) of the Week tunes are now available as part of the Breakthrough Banjo course. Learn more about it here.
Click here for a current list of all the clawhammer songs and tunes currently available inside of The Vault
View the Brainjo Course Catalog
