While Joplin's name was given top billing, Jasen and Tichenor assert that everything except the trio was primarily Hayden's work. The trio, attributed to Joplin, is distinguished by its softer dynamics, pentatonic emphasis, and broader range.
The copyright was registered March 18, 1901. The piece was originally published by John Stillwell Stark, who advertised it as "the twin sister of
Maple Leaf". Stark also reported that the trio was written during Joplin's courtship of Belle Hayden, his first wife, who was also Scott Hayden's sister-in-law, his brother's widow.
