Here's my first shot at tune of the week - I'm hoping all the links work.
"Katie Bar The Door" is an expression used primarily in the southern U.S. It basically means something like "Start preparing because something bad is going to happen."
I remember a boyhood friend whose mother used the term quite frequently. She'd say something like: If you don't get off your butt and clean your room, it's going to be Katie Bar the Door when your dad gets home."
There are many theories as to the phrase's origin. It was first found in print in a poem by James Whitcomb Riley called "When Lide Married Him", published in 1894. You can find an excerpt here: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/213750.html
The most intriguing explanation of the source of the expression involves Catherine (Kate) Douglas. In February of 1437 an assassination plot was brewing. The target was King James I of Scotland. The King and Queen were in their room preparing to retire for the evening. Also present was Kate Douglas, one of the Queen's ladies in waiting. Conveniently, the bolt to the door had been secretly removed by the King's chamberlain (also involved in the plot). A commotion was heard outside the door as the assassination gaggle approached. Kate, realizing what was happening, sprang to the door and placed her arm through the staples in an attempt to block their entry while the King made his escape through the sewers. (Really? They ought to write a song about this). Unfortunately, the evil-doers were able to force their way in, breaking Catherine's arm in the process. The king was captured and murdered.
I learned the song from Rayna Gellert and Susie Goering's CD: Starch and Iron. A sample can be heard here: http://www.amazon.com/Starch-Iron-Gellert/dp/B001CSRL9C/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_2
Here's a link to the sheet music: http://www.mne.psu.edu/lamancusa/tunes/katiebardoor.pdf
According to her liner notes, she learned the song from Andy Cahan who got it from Roscoe Parrish. Roscoe recorded the tune in 1986 on his album "The Old Time Way: (Heritage 070) which is now out of print. There's a vinyl copy on Amazon available: http://www.amazon.com/Old-Time-Way-LP-1986/dp/B0053H2YY0 He played the tune on Fiddle and Banjo. Here's a link to his banjo version: http://slippery-hill.com/M-K/GDAE/D/KatyBarDoor.mp3
I was unable to find any other recorded versions of the tune, but there are a few youtube recordings.
Here's one I put up today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHRNOPdY1-4
One by Blindjesse (BHO Member) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvackUJ9hfw
here's a dulcimer version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ILmKmYVRg
I know I tabbed this out at some point, but I'm unable to find it today. However, a copy of Maya's tab (Stringband.Mossyroof) - a great source for tabs - is available here: http://stringband.mossyroof.com/Katy_Bar_the_Door.png
And finally, you can hear Jimi's version here:
Just Kidding.