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Matt Heckler, “Swannanoa Tunnel,” // GemsOnVHS™

GemsOnVHS | January 20, 2026



We’re back with another field recording from fan favorite, Mr. Matt Heckler. This time, he is back on his ole fiddle, playing an ole folk tune by the name of “Swannanoa Tunnel”. A tragic song some folks may know as played on the banjo by Bascom Lamar Lunsford (https://youtu.be/RdZvWdZS7KM). Matt says this is actually his favorite recording of any tune we’ve done with him… i’ll let you be the judge, but damn doesn’t he light that fiddle on fire? You can almost see the sparks fly.

We were staying at the North Carolina home of Matt Heckler for this trip, in the fall in Asheville, where we caught Matt on one of his short breaks from his seemingly never ending tours of this wide world. Behind his own house lives in landlord, from whoms porch one can get a spectacular view of the surrounding mountain rangers. So we trekked up the hill, and played one in the living room, taking in that fresh mountain air.

We’ve come a long way since that first recording with Matt (https://youtu.be/HwREKEuNUqc). Recently, we started uploading all the field recordings of his on streaming sites like Spotify, Apple music, etc (https://open.spotify.com/artist/7t78CwAbQIA6DKAKUKBYgl?si=XQoWPYZbQtiG3ARUrBivRA). Check them out if you haven’t, save them and share ’em. Helps us get the word out there about great tunes.

Find more of Matt here;
https://www.instagram.com/mattheckler/
https://www.mattheckler.com/copy-of-music

Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, and Rusty Shackleford.

Consider becoming a Patreon contributor to help sustain this project. For the price of a cup of coffee every month, you let us continue finding and filming amazing artists.
https://www.patreon.com/gemsonvhs

GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
We’re on instagram (@gemsonvhs or @anthonysimpkins)
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Written by GemsOnVHS

Comments

This post currently has 41 comments.

  4. @lisbon250567

    January 20, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Matt is made for playing in the pubs of the West of Ireland where everyone is talking and laughing and he is the soundtrack to an evening that people will talk about in 50 years time

  8. @cedarriver

    January 20, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Matt is a special guy for sure – hope I'll be able to see him live one day. Chords and lyrics below if you wanna play along!

    Capo on 2, Standard Tuning

    Intro C Am / C G C
    Verses C Am / C G C (x2)
    Interlude C Am / C G C

    [Intro]

    [Verse 1]
    I’m going back to that Swannanoa Tunnel
    That’s my home, honey, that’s my home
    Asheville junction, Swannanoa Tunnel
    It all caved in, baby, it all caved in

    [Interlude]

    [Verse 2]
    I remember late December
    The wind blowed cold, honey, well the wind blowed cold
    When you hear my hounddog howling
    Someone died, baby, someone died

    [Interlude]

    [Verse 3]
    Take this hammer and take it to the captain
    Tell him I'm gone, honey, won't you tell him I'm gone
    Take this hammer and throw it in the river
    It rings like gold, baby, well it rings like gold

    [Interlude]

    [Verse 1]
    I’m going back to that Swannanoa Tunnel
    That’s my home, honey, that’s my home
    Asheville junction, Swannanoa Tunnel
    It all caved in, baby, it all caved in

    [Outro]

  22. @slash667

    January 20, 2026 at 6:54 am

    man, i love how matt takes this song and just fucking makes it his own. There's really no comparison to the Bascom Lunsford's version, which barely even sounds like music compared to Matt's epic achievement here.

  23. @joehnichol

    January 20, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Are there any skilled musicians here who have deciphered the technique, tuning, and scale he's using? The precision of his bow hand is remarkable. Does anyone recognize this technique or know if it has a specific name? My guess is he's in ADAD tuning, but I'm open to corrections.

  27. @HenkeFirewood

    January 20, 2026 at 6:54 am

    You guys should connect with Joseph Huber out of Milwaukee Wisconsin. I think you’d be a great asset to your channel and for all of your viewers would greatly appreciate it. I know everybody else want to please like get this to the top !!

  28. @eugene8910

    January 20, 2026 at 6:54 am

    Matt is a treasure. I missed him the last time he visited Ireland but if he ever comes back I would give my right arm to meet him and buy him a pint. Legendry storyteller and such a talent.

Comments are closed.

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