The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2010 Andrew Kuntz

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Notation Note: The tunes below are recorded in what is called “abc notation.” They can easily be converted to standard musical notation via highlighting with your cursor starting at “X:1” through to the end of the abc’s, then “cutting-and-pasting” the highlighted notation into one of the many abc conversion programs available, or at concertina.net’s incredibly handy “ABC Convert-A-Matic” at

http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html 

 

**Please note that the abc’s in the Fiddler’s Companion work fine in most abc conversion programs. For example, I use abc2win and abcNavigator 2 with no problems whatsoever with direct cut-and-pasting. However, due to an anomaly of the html, pasting the abc’s into the concertina.net converter results in double-spacing. For concertina.net’s conversion program to work you must remove the spaces between all the lines of abc notation after pasting, so that they are single-spaced, with no intervening blank lines. This being done, the F/C abc’s will convert to standard notation nicely. Or, get a copy of abcNavigator 2 – its well worth it.   [AK]

 

 

 

OLD NATIONAL THEATRE. American, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The tune is one of a genre of syncopated old-time melodies, primarily banjo tunes, meant as a vehicle for clog dancing on the late 19th century stage. Such duple-time ‘jigs’ were often called “straight” or “sand” jigs (the later derived from the habit of sanding the stage to facilitate the movements). The Old National was a theatre in Boston, located at Portland and Traverse Street, at least since the 1830 ’s. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 84. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 116. White’s Unique Collection, 1896; No. 31, pg. 6.

X:1

T:Old National Theatre

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:’Sand Jig’

S:White’s Unique Collection (1896), No. 31

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

BG/D/ E/G/D | z/B/G/B/ d/g/e/d/ | z/B/G/D/ E/G/D | {a}g/f/g/e/ d/g/e/d/ |

z/B/G/D/ E/G/D | z/B/G/B/ d/g/e/d/ | z/B/G/D/ E/G/D | {a}g/f/g/e/ d/g/e/d/ :|

|: g(d/g/) e/g/d/g/ | e/g/d/g/ (e/a/)a | {a}g/f/g/e/ d/g/f/d/ | z/g/e/d/ (3B/c/d/ (3d/e/f/ |

g(d/g/) e/g/d/g/ | d/g/d/g/ (e/a/)a | (3g/a/b/ (3e/f/g/ d/g/e/d/ | z/g/d/B/ (A/B/)g :|

                       

OLD NEW ENGLAND WALTZ.  Old-Time, Waltz. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AB. Source for notated version: John Tate, via Glenn Berry [Silberberg]. Silberberg (93 Fiddle Tunes I Didn’t Learn at the Tractor Tavern), 2004; pg. 33.

 

OLD NICK'S LUMBER ROOM. AKA – “Pawnbroker’s Warehouse.” English. England, Northumberland. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. One of the "missing tunes" from William Vickers' 1770 Northumbrian dance tune manuscript collection. Old Nick, a euphemism for the Devil that, in writing, dates to the year 1643, is said to have derived from association of Niccoló (i.e.’Nick’) Machiavelli (1469-1527) with things diabolical. The tune was first published (with the alternate title, as in the Thompson publication) in R. Baldwin’s London Magazine, or The Gentleman’s Monthly Intelligencer (London, 1759). Thompson (Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, vol. 2 (London, 1765; No. 33.

X:1

T:Old Nick’s Lumber Room, or the Pawnbroker’s Warehouse

M:6/8

L:1/8

B:Thompson’s Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, vol. 2 (London, 1765)

Z:Transcribed and edited by Flynn Titford-Mock, 2007

Z:abc’s:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

A3 cAc|eae cAc|E3 GEG|BdB GEG|A3 cAc|eae cAc|faf dBd|e3-[E3e3]:|

|:E3 BGB|BdB GEG|A3 cAc|eae cAc|faf dBd|eae cAc|BdB GEG|A3 [A,3A3]:||

                       

OLD NINETY-FIFTH, THE. English, March (6/8 time). C Major. Standard tuning. AA'B. The 95 Regiment in the British Army was the famous green-uniformed light infantry who carried Baker rifles in the Peninsular Campaign and at Waterloo (see Bernard Cornwall’s Sharpe novels). Carlin (Master Collection), 1987; No. 48, pg. 37.

                       

OLD NOLL'S HORNPIPE. English, Hornpipe (3/2 time). England, North‑West. F Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Knowles (Northern Frisk), 1988; No. 34.

                       

OLD NOLL'S JIG. English, Country Dance Tune (6/8 time). England, North‑West. D Minor. Standard tuning. AAB (Carlin, Chappell, Fleming Williams, Knowles, Raven): AABC (Barnes, Sharp). The tune appears in Henry Playford's Dancing Master of 1701 and later. Chappell (1859) notes a song called "When once Master Love gets into your Head" was once sung to this tune. The title may refer to Oliver Cromwell, who was known by the epithet ‘Old Noll’ by opposing Royalist sympathizers during the English Civil War (Brewer, Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 1894). The remarkable Sir Roger L’Estrange (1611-1704) was known as ‘Oliver’s Fiddler’ or ‘Old Noll’s Fiddler’, and his curious circumstances are worth retelling. L’Estrange was the youngest son of a Norfolk baronet and a staunch supporter of the King, for whom he fought against the Roundheads and from whom he obtained a commission. He was captured, however, and condemned to die, but obtained a stay of execution for two weeks upon petition. This was later extended and L’Estrange was remanded to Newgate, where he spent four years under the daily threat that sentence would be carried out. Eventually he contrived to escape and fled to exile on the Continent. After some time Cromwell consolidated power and L’Estrange, unable to endure his exile any longer, decided to confront his dilemma directly and returned to England to petition Old Noll in person, which proved a successful strategy, for he was allowed to resume his life in England after receiving an indemnity and giving security. While he awaited this decision, according to his Memento, he was walking in St. James’s Park when he heard the low notes of an organ coming from the house of Mr. Hickson. He entered and found an ensemble of a half-dozen or so musicians about to practice. Recognized not only for his notoriety but for his ability to play upon the viol, he was immediately asked to take up an instrument and bear a part. Oliver Cromwell walked in as the they played, and stayed a while to listen, then departed without saying a word. From this incident L’Estrange received the epithet ‘Oliver’s Fiddler’ by his enemies, who maintained he had served the dictator as his musician. At the Restoration, L’Estrange received a knighthood from King James II, and was established as a publisher, translator and author, admired by Dr. Johnson, among others. He lived to his 87th year and was buried in his parish church of St. Giles in the Fields, where his epitaph is still to be seen on one of the pillars. [see entry in Robert Chambers, Book of Days, 1832]. Barnes (English Country Dance Tunes), 1986. Carlin (English Concertina), 1977; pg. 47. Chappell (Popular Music of the Olden Time), vol. 2, 1859; pgs. 87‑88. Fleming‑Williams (English Dance Airs; Popular Selection, Book 1), 1965; pg. 12. Knowles (Northern Frisk), 1988; No. 33. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 20. Sharp (Country Dance Tunes), 1909/1994; pg. 77.

X:1

T:Old Noll’s Jig

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:Chappell – Popular Music of the Olden Time (1859)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:Dmin

E | F>ED D2E | F>ED D2d | ^c2d A2d | ^c2d A2E |

F>ED D2E  | F>ED D2e | f>ed =c>d=B | (A3A2) :|

|| c | A>Bc F2c |A>Bc F2f | d>ef B2d | B>cd G2g | e>fg c2e |

f>ga d2a | b>ag g2f | (f3 f2)a  | fga def | efg ^cde | def efd | ^c3 A2a |

bgb aAa | bgb aAa | bag fge | (d3 d2) ||

                       

OLD NORA (Nora Criona). AKA and see "Nora Criona", "Hushed Be Sorrow's Sigh", "Lesbia Hath a Beaming Eye". Irish, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AABBCCDDEEFF. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 866, pg. 161.

X:1

T:Old Nora

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 866

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

D | GAG G2A | B2G d2B | GAG G2B | A2B dcA |

GAG G2A | BAG ABc | d2e fef | A2B cBA :|

|: ded d2c |B2G d2B | ded d2B | A2 B cBA |

ded d2c | BAG ABc | d2e fef | A2B cBA :|

|: BGG dGG | BAG dBG | AFF cFF | AFA cBA |

BGG dGG | BAG ABc | d2e fef | A2B cBA :|

|: GBd GBd | GBd dcB | GBd GBd | A2B cBA|

GBd GBd | GBd dcB | GBd fef | A2B cBA :|

|: GBd gfg | agf g3 | GBd g2B | A2B cBA |

GBd gfg | agf g2 g/a/ | bag agf | A2B cBA :|

|: dBG GDG | BGB d2B | dBG GDG | A2B cBA |

dBG GDG | BGB dcB | GBd fef | A2B cBA :|

                       

OLD NUMBER ONE. AKA and see "Tustin's Favorite". The name comes from the southwestern Pennsylvania martial band tradition and denotes its usual position in a program.

                       

OLD NUMBER SEVEN. AKA and see "Old Seven Spot.”

                       

OLD NUMBER THIRD. American, March (4/4 time) or Reel. USA, southwestern Pa. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. Bayard's source's father learned the tune as a boy during the Civil War era and passed it onto his son. Bayard is of the opinion it could have been a fife as well as a fiddle tune. Source for notated version: Hogg (fiddler from southwestern Pa., 1948) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 134, pg. 74.

                       

OLD NUMBER TWO. AKA and see "Old Greene County [1].” The name denotes its usual position in the program of a southwestern Pa. martial band.

                       

OLD NUMBER NINE RAG. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Missouri. See note for "Number Nine" for possible explanation of the title. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: African-American fiddler Bill Katon {or Caton} (Tebbetts, Missouri) [Christeson]. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddler’s Repertory, Vol. 2), 1984; pg. 84.


                       

OLD OAK TREE, THE (An Seanchrann Darach). AKA and see “The Oak Tree.” Irish, Reel. Ireland, County Donegal. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. A popular reel in County Donegal. Source for notated version: fiddlers Micky and John Doherty, 1966 (Stranorlar, Co. Donnegal, Ireland) [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 133, pg. 103 (appears mistakenly listed as No. 199).

                       

OLD, OLD HOUSE. Old-Time, Waltz. A Major. Standard. AB. Source for notated version: Carthy Sisco [Silberberg]. Silberberg (Tunes I Learned at Tractor Tavern), 2002; pg. 112.

                       

OLD ONE, THE. AKA and see “The Cuban.” Irish, Polka.

           

OLD OXFORD, THE.  English, Country Dance Tune (cut time)  D Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. From Daniel Wright’s An Extraordinary Collection of Pleasant and Merry Humours etc. (c. 1713). See note for “Old Tom of Oxford.” Barnes (English Country Dance Tunes, vol. 2), 2005; pg. 95 (appears as “Oakleigh House”, the name of a dance by Kathryn and David Wright set to the tune).

X:1

T:Old Oxford

M:C|

L:1/8

S:Daniel Wright - An Extraordinary Collection of Pleasant and Merry Humours etc. (c. 1713)

K:D Minor

A2 =B^c d2D2|G2A2 D4|D2 FG A2d2|^c2d2e4|f2 fg a2 gf|

gfed ^c4|d2D2F2 GF|E4 D4::F2c2F2c2|F2c2 A2 GA|F2cd2A2d2|

^c2d2 e4|f2 fg a2 gf|gfed ^c4|d2D2 F2 GF|E4 D4:|

           

OLD PAINT. Old‑Time, Air (3/4 time, slow). USA, Oklahoma. D Major (Thede): A Major (Molsky). DDad (Thede): AEae (Molsky) tunings. AABB. Several sources have noted this tune’s resemblance with Luke Thomasson’s composition “Midnight on the Water,” though whether it is derivative of “Old Paint” (or vice versa) is unknown. Source for notated version: J.S. Price (Oklahoma) [Thede]. Thede (The Fiddle Book), 1967; pg. 128. Rounder 0421, Bruce Molsky - “Big Hoedown” (1997).

 

OLD PARNELL REEL. AKA and see “Hotfoot.” Old-Time, Breakdown. USA; Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. See also “Whistling Rufus,” which, according to Mark Wilson, may be a related tune. Wilson sees similarities between this tune and the calk-walk genre. Drew Beisswenger points out it was recorded by several popular Mid-West fiddlers in the mid-20th century, such was Bob Walters, Cyril Stinnett and Dwight Lamb. Sources for notated versions: Bob Walters (Burt County, Nebraska) [Christeson]; Lonnie Robertson (1908-1981, Springfield, Missouri), learned from radio fiddler Casey Jones [Beisswenger & McCann]. Beisswenger & McCann (Ozark Fiddle Music), 2008; pg. 123. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, vol. 1), 1973; pgs. 162‑165. Caney Mountain Records CLP 228, Lonnie Robertson ‑ "Fiddle Favorites." Rounder CD 0375, Lonnie Robertson – “Lonnie’s Breakdown” (1996. Originally recorded 1971).

See also listings at:

Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources

                       

OLD PEADAR CARTHY FROM CLONMORE. Irish, March (4/4 time). F Major. Standard tuning. ABC. Clonmore is in Co. Carlow, and Darley & McCall identify Peadar (Peter) Carthy as a local celebrity. The 'C' part, a chorus, has these lyrics:

***

Old Peadar, old Peadar, old Peadar Carthy,

Old Peadar Carthy from Clonmore.

***

Source for notated version: "the late" Mr. John McCall (Ireland) [Darley & NcCall]. Darley & McCall (Darley & McCall Collection of Traditional Irish Music), 1914; No. 64, pg. 29.

                       

OLD PENSIONER, THE (An Sean Buinciosuide). AKA and see “Hickey’s [1].” Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AA'B (O'Neill/1850 & 1001): AA'BB' (O'Neill/Krassen). O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 116. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1315, pg. 246. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 577, pg. 106.

X:1

T:Old Pensioner, The

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 577

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

(3ABc|:d2 (3cBA BEEG|(3FED AD FABc|cB (3cBA BEEA|1 Bged cABc:|2

Bgec d2||(3ABc|d2 fd adfd|ddfd cdec|d2 fd adfd|dBAF EFAc|d2 fd adfd|

(3ddd fd cdec|defd cdec|cBAF EF (3ABc||

                       

OLD PETER STREET.  Irish, Reel. A Major. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 225, pg. 138. Gael-Linn CEFED 180, Paddy Glackin – “In Full Spate” (1991).

X:1

T:Old Peter Street

R:reel

D:Paddy Glackin: In Full Spate

Z:id:hn-reel-689

Z:transcribed by henrik.norbeck@mailbox.swipnet.se

M:C|

L:1/8

K:A

A2GA FAEc|BEcE dEcB|A2GA FAEc|BEGB AdcB|

A2GA FAED|CEAc dcdf|ece=g fdfa|1 ^gbag afec:|2 ^gbeg aefg||

|:aA~A2 eAcA|dcBA GBEg|aA~A2 eAcA|GABc defg|

a2gb aece|fdBA GBed|ceAc dfBa|1 gbeg aefg:|2 gbeg afec||

 

OLD PETER’S REEL. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Prince Edward Island. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB’. The tune is a variant of “Down the Broom” and “Sligo Maid.” Source for notated version: Peter Chaisson (b. 1929, Bear River, North-East Kings County, Prince Edward Island) [Perlman]. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 98.

                       

OLD PHILLIP ARMOUR. Irish, Air (3/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AB. "First part like the Scotch, 'Thro' the wood, Laddie'" (Joyce). See also a version called "Phil Ormand." Source for notated version: "James Buckley, a Limerick piper, about 1852" (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 143, pg. 73.

X:1

T:Old Phillip Armour

L:1/8

M:3/4

S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs  (1909)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

GE|D2E2 G>A|B4 ga|bagedB|A4 GA|B>AB>cdA|BAGFGA|B>AB>cdA|

BA G2 FG|E2 E>FGA|B2B2 ga|bagedB|A4 Bd|e2 e>f ge|d>edcBA|G2 EDEF|G4||

ge|d2e2 ga|b4 ga|b2 d’bag|a4 ga|babc’d’g|bagfga|babc’d’g|ba g2 fg|e2 e>fga|

b2 baga|bagedB|A4 Bd|e2 e>fge|d2 d>cBA|G2 EDEF|G4||


                       

OLD PIGEON ON THE GATE, THE (An Sean-Cholúr ar an nGeata). AKA and see "The Red‑Haired Lass." Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. Related to “Pigeon on the Gate [1].” Source for notated version: accordionist Sonny Brogan (County Sligo/Dublin, Ireland) [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 162, pg. 64. Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; pg. 94.

                       

OLD PIPE MARCH. Irish, March (6/8 time). D Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB'. Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 3; No. 200, pg. 77.

                       

OLD PISS. AKA and see "Few Days [2].” American, March or Reel. USA, southwestern Pa. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. The alternate title, in this case a floater, was seldom used according to Bayard (1981), who stated that "Old Piss" was one of the best‑known tunes among southwest Pennsylvania fifers. Sources for notated version: Marion Yoders (fiddler and fifer from Greene County, Pa., 1961), Hoge MS (Pennsylvania fife MS), Hiram Horner (Westmoreland and Fayette Counties, Pa., 1961) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 158A‑C, pgs. 95‑96.

                       

OLD PLAID SHAWL, THE (An Sean Filleog Breac). Irish, Slow Air (3/4 time). Ireland, Ulster. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. Source for notated version: O’Neill’s assistant compiler, fiddler Sergeant James O’Neill of the Chicago police, who learned the tune from his mother in County Down [O’Neill]. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 166, pg. 29.

X:1

T:Old Plaid Shawl, The

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Slow”

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 166

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

(d/c/) BB | (B2 A)G FG | A2 de fg | (e2 c)A GG | F3 (d/c/) BB | (B2 A)G FG |

A2 d>e fg | (e>c) (AF) GG | G3 || (f2d) (f2g) | (a2f) (g2a/g/) | (f2d) (c2B) |

(A3 A2) A | (.B3.B) (g2f) | (.e2.c) (A2B) | {d}(cBc) (.d2.d) | (d3 d2) ||

                       

OLD PLANK ROAD. AKA and see "Way Down the Old Plank Road," "Plank Road." D Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB'. Plank roads were a feature of American transportation in the mid-19th century, the first being constructed in Michigan (1837) and New York (1844). When they were properly maintained they provided a smooth surface, and should not be confused with log ‘corduroy’ roads that were often quite dangerous. Construction consisted of laying planks of pine or oak, eight to sixteen feet long and three to four inches thick, across ‘sleepers’ or ‘stringers’ that had been placed parallel.

***

Plank road used in transporting logs. Photo property of Ivan Anderson.

***

The tune was recorded by David Harrison “Uncle Dave” Macon (1870-1952), the “Dixie Dewdrop,” a popular and colorful entertainer and recording star in the early days of radio and 78 RPM recordings. Macon sang and played banjo, sometimes with a group called the Fruitjar Drinkers. “Way Down the Old Plank Road” is a song about working on a Georgia chain gang. The road theme is one Macon would have been attuned to, however, for before he made it big with his music he was the proprietor of the Midway Mule and Wagon Transportation Company.

***

Rather be in Richmond with all the hail and rain,

Than to be in Georgia boys wearin' that ball and chain.

Chorus:

Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more,

Won't get drunk no more, way down the Old Plank Road.

***

I went down to Mobile, but I got on the gravel train,

Very next thing they heard of me, had on that ball and chain.

***

Doney, oh dear Doney, what makes you treat me so,

Caused me to wear that ball and chain, now my ankle's sore.

***

Knoxville is a pretty place, Memphis is a beauty,

Wanta see them pretty girls, hop to Chattanoogie.

***

I'm going to build me a scaffold on some mountain high,

So I can see my Doney girl as she goes riding by.

***

My wife died on Friday night, Saturday she was buried,

Sunday was my courtin' day, Monday I got married.

***

Eighteen pounds of meat a week, whiskey here to sell,

How can a young man stay at home, pretty girls look so well.

***

Harry Smith (Folkways FA2953, 1952) writes: “Dave Macon, the ‘Dixie Dew Drop’, was born at Smart Station, Tennessee, October 7th, 1870. He learned his trade in Nashville, where his parents operated the Macon Hotel, a theatrical boarding house, and became a professional entertainer about 1888. Many of the songs he learned before 1900 from workers on the levee and along the Mississippi were recorded among the hundred or so titles he cut between 1923 and 1938, and are unique among commercial recordings. His descriptions of life on the chain gang here and on (“Buddy Won’t You Roll Down the Line”) of this set are two of the most characteristic of a number of songs of this type he recorded. The verses about the scaffold and the wife’s death are widely known folk-lyric elements.” African-American collector Thomas Talley (born c. 1870) printed a tune called “Aunt Dinah Drunk” in his 1922 work Negro Folk Rhymes, which includes a chorus which shows up in the Macon song “Way Down the Old Plank Road.”

***

Yes, I won’t git drunk an’ kicky up a chunk.

I won’t git drunk an’ kicky up a chunk.

I won’t git drunk an’ kicky up a chunk,

‘Way down on de ole Plank Road.

Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove.

Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove.

Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove,

‘Way down on de ole Plank Road.

***

A few bars of the verse melody appear in “I’m Off to Charlestown,” an air in Kerr’s Merry Melodies (c. 1880’s) that sounds as though it was imported from America. Spandaro (10 Cents a Dance), 1980; pg. 18. County 521, "Uncle Dave Macon: Original Recordings, 1925‑1935." County 541, Uncle Dave Macon – “Nashville: The Early String Bands.” Folkways FA2953, Uncle Dave Macon – “American Folk Music” (1952). Folkways 2492c, New Lost City Ramblers. Rounder 1033a, Uncle Dave Macon – “Tennessee Strings.” Rounder Records 11569c, Highwoods String Band – “Way Down the Old Plank Road.” VET 101a, Uncle Dave Macon – “The Dixie Dewdrop.” Vocalion 15321 (78 RPM), Uncle Dave Macon (1926).

X:1

T:Old Plank Road

L:1/8

M:2/4

B:Kuntz – Ragged but Right

K:D

[(^GA]||[AA)] [A2A2] B|d>e d(e|e/)f/e/d/ BA|d>d d(3d/c/B/|[AA] [A2A2] B|

d>e dd|e/f/e/e/ dB|A>B A(f||f)e/e/ dB|d>e d(f|f)e/e/ dB|A>B A(f|

f)e/e/ dB|d>e d[(^de]|[e/e/)]d/e/e/ fe|dd/d/ d||

                       

OLD PLANTATION GIRLS.  American, Slip Jig. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. Identified by Glasgow publisher James Aird as “Virginian.” Aird (Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs), vol. 1, 1782; No. 148, pg. 15. Johnson (A Further Collection of Dances, Marches, Minuetts and Duetts of the Latter 18th Century), 1998; pg. 15.

X:1

T:Old Plantation Girls

M:9/8

L:1/8

K:Ador

B|c2A B2G E2F|G2G G2A Bcd|c2A B2G E2E|E2A A>BA A2:|
|:B|c>de e>dc B2A|G>Bd d>BG B/c/dB|c>de e>dc B>cd|e2e e>cA A2:||

 

OLD PLAYERS, THE. Irish, reel. A Mixolydian/Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by County Cavan/Philadelphia fiddler and compser Ed Reavy (1898-1988). Reavy (The Collected Compositions of Ed Reavy), No. 63, pg. 69.

X:1

T:The Old Players

R:reel

C:Ed Reavy

M:2/2

L:1/8

Z:Joe Reavy

N:The tune commemorates the great fiddlers of

N:the past: Michael Coleman, Kipeen Scanlon,

N:and a host of unheralded ones who went to the

N:clay unrecognized. The history of Ireland is

N:a fiddle. It alone can convey the sounds and

N:feelings of sad gaiety that characterize the

N:plight of that long-troubled land.

K:C

BG | EAAB ^cded | ^cdec dBGD | EAAB ^cde^f | ge^fa ge^fa gefd |

^cde^f gfge | a^ge^c d2 cd | ede^f gfge | dBGB A2 :||

|: e^g | a2 ^gb aged | ^cdef gfef | g2 ^fa gfef | g^fgd BGG^g |

a2 ^gb aged | ^cde^f gfge | (3aa^g a^f =gfge | dBGB A2 :||

                       

OLD PLUNK, THE. American?, "Banjo Jig" (2/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Hardings All-Round Collection, 1905; No. 166, pg. 53.

X:1

T:Old Plunk, The

M:2/4

L:1/8

N:Listed as a “Banjo Jig”

S:Harding’s All Round Collection, No. 166  (1905)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

D|.d.G.A.B|dB/d/ A/d/G|dA/d/ G/d/F|dB/d/ A/d/G|.d.G.A.B|

dB/d/ A/d/G|dA/d/ G/d/F|GBG::d|c/A/c/d/ FA/d/|B/G/B/d/ GB/d/|cA/d/ A/d/c/A/|

G/e/d/B/ G/B/A/G/|c/A/c/d/ FA/d/|B/G/B/d/ GB/d/|c/A/c/d/ A/d/c/A/|BGB:|

                       

OLD POLKA, THE. Scottish, Polka. Scotland, Orkney Islands. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. A traditional tune. Source for notated version: fiddler Tommy Mainland (b. 1938, Orkney) [Martin]. Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; pg. 102. Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society – “Orkney Fiddle Music” (1976). Attic Records, The Wrigley Sisters with David Campbell – “Orkney after Sunset” (2000).

X:1

T:Old Polka, The

D:Orkney Fiddle Music (1976)

O:Orkney

Z:Nigel Gatherer

M:2/4

L:1/8

K:D

A|BA A/f/e/d/|cB Be/d/|c/d/e/f/ g/A/B/c/|d/e/f/d/ AF/A/|

BA A/f/e/d/|cB Be/d/|c/d/e/f/ g/A/B/c/|dd d:|]

f/g/|a/f/d/f/ A/f/d/f/|ag/f/ ge/f/|g/e/c/e/ A/e/c/e/|gf/e/ ff/g/|

a/f/d/f/ A/f/d/f/|ag Be/d/|c/d/e/f/ g/A/B/c/|dd d:|]

                       

OLD PORK BOSOM. Old‑Time, Breakdown. D Major. Standard. AABB'. Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 45.

                       

OLD PURCELL. See "Oklahoma Run."

                       

OLD RACCOON. Old‑Time, Breakdown. G Major. Standard. AABB.

***

Raccoon's tail got rings all around,

De possum's tail am bare.

De rabbit ain't got no tail at all,

Just a little bit a bunch a hair. (Ford)

***

Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 62.

                       


OLD RAMBLER, THE. Irish, Slow Air (3/4 time). D Minor. Standard. AB. Source for notated version: "From the whistling of Joe Martin of Kilfinane Co. Limerick, a rambling working man with a great knowledge of Irish songs, and much natural musical taste" (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 178, pg. 89.

X:1

T:Old Rambler, The

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Slow and tender”

S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs  (1909)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:Dmin

A|d2f2 ed|c2d2e2|f2 gfed|e4 fe|d2c2A2|G2A2c2|d2 edcA|A4||

fg|a2a2 c’a|g2a2g2|f2 gfed|c4 de|f2f2 ed|c2e2g2|a2f2e2|d4||

                       

OLD RANTON HEIGHLANDER. English. England, Northumberland. One of the "missing tunes" from William Vickers' 1770 Northumberland dance tune manuscript.

                       

OLD RATTLER HARE. Old-Time. A dance tune in the repertoire of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, guitarist and banjo player Elizabeth Cotten.

                       

OLD RED. Old-Time, Breakdown. G Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB'. Both parts contain irregular measures. Source for notated version: Hoyt Ming [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; pg. 96.

                       

OLD RED BARN, THE. AKA and see “Little Red Barn.” Canadian, American; Jig or Quadrille. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB (Messer): AA'AA'BB (Phillips). Popular with older fiddlers in central New York state, according to local fiddler Chad Miller, where at least one called it the “Red Barn Quadrille.” As “Little Red Barn” it was collected by R.P. Christeson from Missouri fiddler Charlie Walden. Paul Gifford says it is fairly common among older Michigan and Ontario fiddlers. Keys vary: A and G major are the most common. Source for notated version: Don Rowan [Phillips]. Messer (Anthology of Favorite Fiddle Tunes), 1980; No. 158, pg. 107. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; pg. 373. Edison 51236 (78 RPM), 1923, John Baltzell (appears as "Old Red Barn Medley Quadrille") {Baltzell was a native of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, the same home town as minstrel Dan Emmett (d. 1904). Emmett returned to Mt. Vernon, poor, in 1888, and later taught Baltzell to play the fiddle.}.

           

OLD RED ROOSTER. AKA and see “Across the Plains.”

                       

OLD REEL, THE. AKA and see “Cairngorm Brooch.” Scottish, Reel. G Minor. Standard tuning. AB. Related to the “Flowers of Limerick [1],” “Paddy on the Turnpike [2]” and “Bunch of Keys [1]" family of tunes. Source for notated version: J. Davie, Caledonian Repository, 2nd series [Henderson]. Davie (Caledonian Repository), 1829. Henderson (Flowers of Scottish Melody), 1935.

X:1

T:The Old Reel

B:Flowers of Scottish Melody, 1935

N:Changed from 2/4 to 4/4

Z:Nigel Gatherer

M:4/4

L:1/8

K:Gm

F | D<GGA G^FGA | BGdG eGdG | C<FFG F=EFG | AFcF dFcF | DGGA G^FGA |

BABc dcd=e | fgfd cAFA|BGAF DG G2 || dgga g^fga | bgga bg g2 |

c<ffg f=efg | affg af f2 | dgga bagb|abag f=edc | d=efd cAFA | BGAF DGG |]

                       

OLD RESTING CHAIR. See "Auld Restin' Chair."

                       

OLD REUBEN. Old-Time. The piece is known as a banjo song and employs a special tuning on the instrument.

                       

OLD RICHMOND. AKA and see "Richmond Cotillion."

                       

OL' RIDIN' HOSS. Old‑Time, Breakdown. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB.

***

A little old man comes a‑ridin' by.

Sez I: "Old man, your hoss'll die."

"If he does, I'll tan his skin,

And if he don't, I'll ride 'im agin." (Ford)

***

Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 123.

                       

OLD ROAD TO GARRY, THE. Irish, Reel. Composed by Paddy O'Brien of Newtown, Nenagh, County Tipperary. Garrykennedy, explains Seamus Connolly, is a small village (affectionately called 'Garry') near Portroe, County Tipperary. The area is famed for its music. Green Linnet GLCD 1087, Seamus Connolly - "Notes From My Mind" (1988).

                       

OLD ROCK ROAD. Old-Time, Breakdown. C Major. Standard tuning. ABCC'. Source for notated version: Joe Politte (Mo.) [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 174.

                       


OLD ROCKING CHAIR, THE. New England, Jig. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by Ralph Page (1903-1985, New Hampshire), the “dean of the contra dance callers,” and a seminal figure in New England traditional dance and music for 40 years (see www.izaak.unh.edu/nhltmd/pagehome.htm). Not Shetland fiddler Tom Anderson's "Da Auld Rockin' Chair." Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 87, pg. 62. Northern Junket, vol. 13, No. 10, 1976. Page (The Ralph Page Book of Contras), 1969; pg. 9. Sweet (Fifer’s Delight), 1965/1981; pg. 35.

X:1

T:Old Rocking Chair, The

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

C:Ralph Page

K:A

ED|CEE DFF|Ecc cBc|eBB BAB|cAF E2D|CEE DFF|

EAB cBc|dBG EFG|ABA A::cd|ecA efe|dBc dfd|

cec ABc|dcd Bcd|ecA efe|dBc ded|cBc dBG|EAG A:|

 

OLD ROGER. AKA and see "Hessian Dance [1]."

 

OLD ROGER A COVERDILL. AKA and see "Sir Roger de Coverly," "Roger of Coverly," "The Maltman (Comes a/on Monday)." Northumbrian, Slip Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC. Published by Playford in his English Dancing Master (appears as "Roger of Coverly." Johnson, Scottish Fiddle/18th Century; No. 33 (appears as "The Maltman Comes On Monday"). Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; pg. 27 (as “Sir Roger de Coverly”). MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; pg. 169. Seattle (William Vickers), 1770/1987, Part 3; No. 285.

                       

OLD ROSIN THE BEAU. See also "Rosin the Beau," "Rosin the Bow," "Mrs. Kenny('s)," "Cill Cais (Church of Cais)" [pronounced 'kill cash']. English, American; Jig, Air and Waltz. G Major. Standard. AABB. The tune "Old Rosin the Beau," or "Rosin the Beau," has a varied and extensive history and has served a number of functions.  On the minstrel stage it was one of the frequent songs of the character Mr. Corn Meal, a creation of the white blackface performer Jim "Daddy" Rice, who based his version on that of a street singer he heard in New Orleans.  As a dance tune it was cited as  commonly played for Orange County, New York, country dances in the 1930's {as "Old Rosin the Bow"} (Lettie Osborn, New York Folklore Quarterly). Jarman (Old Time Fiddlin' Tunes); No. or pg. 16. Kennedy (Fiddlers Tune Book), vol. 1, 1951; No. 99, pg. 49. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; pg. 29. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 100. Sweet (Fifer’s Delight), 1965/1981; pg. 23. Fretless 119, Rodney and Randy Miller‑‑"Castles in the Air" (played as a waltz).

X:1

T:Old Rosin the Beau

M:6/8

L:1/8

S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 1, pg. 29  (c. 1880’s)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

E|A>GA c>BA|e3 f3|e>cA A>Bc|(F3 F2)E|A>GA c>BA|e3 f3|

e>cA BAG|A3 A2||c/d/|ece efg|a2f a2f|e>cA A>Bc|

(F3 F2)E|A>GA c>BA|e3 f3|e>cA B>AG|A3 A2||

                       

OLD RUINED COTTAGE IN THE GLEN, THE. Irish, Reel. Shanachie 78030, Danú – “Think Before You Think” (2000. Learned from the playing of Matt Molloy).

                       

OLD SAGE FIELDS. AKA and see "Old Sage Friend." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Cumberland Plateau region of south-central Ky./north Tenn. border. G Major. Standard tuning. AABBAABBCCDDAA (Phillips): ABACDEBABECDE (Titon). The original title may perhaps be "Old Sage Friend," not "Old Sage Fields," which comes from Kentucky fiddler Jim Bowles (1903-1993) who learned the tune from local musicians. Irregular in structure, Bowles mixed the parts of the tune on the recording. Sources for notated versions: Jere Canote [Phillips]; (Jim Bowles, Rock Bridge, Monroe County, Ky., 1959) [Titon]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, vol. 1), 1994; pg. 174. Titon (Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Music), 2001; No. 118, pg. 146. Marimac 9000, Dan Gellert & Shoofly ‑ "Forked Deer" (1986. Learned from a field recording of Ky. fiddler Jim Bowles). Marimac 9060, Jim Bowles (b. 1903, Ky.) - "Railroad Through the Rocky Mountians" (1994).

                       

OLD SAGE FRIEND. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Kentucky. A related tune to “Old Sage Fields,” from the playing of African-American fiddler John Lusk, recorded for the Library of Congress by Stu Jamieson. Rounder CD 0238, John Lusk Band ‑ "Altamont: Black String Band Music From the Library of Congress."

 

OLD SALLY GOODEN. Old‑Time. GDad tuning. The title appears in a list of traditional Ozark Mountain fiddle tunes compiled by musicologist/folklorist Vance Randolph, published in 1954. The tune is not the commonly known "Sally Goodin'," nor is it similar to "Bear Creek Sally Goodin'." County CO-CD-2729, Art Stamper – “Goodbye Girls I’m Going to Boston” (2000).


 

OLD SALT RIVER. Old‑Time, Breakdown. F Sharp Minor. Standard tuning. AA'BB'. Source for notated version: Hezikiah Pigge (Pittsylvania, Virginia) [Chase]. Chase (American Folk Tales and Songs), 1956; pg. 207.

 

OLD SCHOOLMASTER, THE (An Sean Maigisdir-Sgoile). Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 139. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1441, pg. 267. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 678, pg. 120.

X:1

T:Old Schoolmaster, The

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 678

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

G2 GA cded|cA (3AAA cGAG|EGGA cdea|gece d2 cA|~G3A cded|cA (3AAA AcAG|

EGGA cdea|gece d2c2||g3d efgd|ea{b}ag eaag|eg{a}gf gfgb|afge d2 cd|

eg{a}gf ~g3d|ea{b}ag eaaa|gede cdea|gece d2 cA||

                       

OLD SCHOTTISHE, THE. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Kentucky. C Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: Jake Phelps and Street Butler (Pea Ridge, Todd County, Ky., 1965) [Titon]. Titon (Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes), 2001; No. 119, pg. 147.

                       

OLD SEVEN SPOT. AKA and see "Old Number Seven," "The Stick Beat," "Taylor's March [1]," "Frank Keeney [2]," "Davistown," "Old Stick Beat March." American, March (2/4 time). USA, southwestern Pa. D Major. Standard tuning. ABC. The above title for the tune probably at one time denoted its place in a concert or performance set. Source for notated version: James Morris (Greene County, Pa., 1930's) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 228C, pg. 187.

                                      

OLD SHADY BOHEREEN, THE (An Sean bOitrin Foitineac). AKA and see "Cahirciveen." Irish, Air (6/8 time). D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 1; No. 9, pg. 9.

                                      

OLD SHARON. See “Cotton Baggin,” “Julianne Flanagan.” See note for “Julianne Flanagan.” The tune was recorded in 1936 by Sidney Robertson from the fiddling of Harry “Tink” Queer in Ligonier, PA. That same year a very similar tune called “Sharon” was played for Margaret Valient by fiddler Russell “Tiny” Wise at Cherry Lake Farms, Florida [Hart & Blech, who note that Wise was probably the same individual famous as “Chubby” Wise of bluegrass fiddling fame]. Swing Cat CD 1610, Hart & Blech – “A Devil of a Row.”

                                      

OLD SIBBY. Irish, Slow Air (4/4 time). A Minor. Standard tuning. AAB. "Mr. MacGowan (a good amateur musician) learned this air about 1840 in Newtownards, from a very old woman, who brought it from her native Munster" (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 315, pg. 147.

X:1

T:Old Sibby

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Slow”

S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs (1909)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:Amin

g>f|e2 dB AGED|G3A B2 (3def|gede B2A2|A4:|

g>a|b3a gede|g2a2a2 ga|b3a  gede|g6 ag|e2 dB AGED|

G3A B2 (3def|gede B2A2|A6||

 

OLD SILVER SPEAR, THE. AKA and see “Anderson’s (Reel) [2],” "Five Mile Chase [2]," "Miss Lane's Fancy,” “My Love is on the Ocean [1],” "The New Mown Meadows," “The Silver Spear,” "The Silver Tip [1]," "Sliabh Bana," “The Threepenny Bit,” "The Top of the Cliff." Irish, Reel. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AB. The tune shares only the same second part as “The Silver Spear.” See also the related “Five Mile Chase” from Donegal fiddle John Doherty. Tubridy (Irish Traditional Music, Book Two), 1999; pg. 19.

X:1

T:Old Silver Spear

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

K:Ador

eAAG A2 Bd | egfd edBd | eA A2 BAGB | d2 ed BABd | eAAG A2 Bd |

egfd edBd | g2 ge f2 fe | dfed Bddf || a2 fa bafa | a2 fd edBd | a2 fa bafe |

dfed Bddf | a2 fa bafa | a2 fd edBd | g2 ge f2 fe | dfed BABd ||

 

OLD SIMON BRODIE.  AKA and see “Simon Brodie.” Scottish, Strathspey. E Minor. Standard tuning. AABB’. See note for “Simon Brodie” for more. Gow (Second Collection of Niel Gow’s Reels), 1788; pg.19 (3rd ed.). Gow (The Beauties of Niel Gow, Being a Selection of the most Favourite Tunes from his First, Second, and Third Collection of Strathspeys, Reels and Jigs), c. 1839; pg. 22.

X:1

T:Old Simon Brodie

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

B:Gow – 2nd Collection of Niel Gow’s Reels, 3rd ed., pg. 19  (orig. 1788)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:Emin

E<EGA FDFA|E<E ~G>A BEGB|dd e/d/^c/B/ ADFA|E<E ~G>A BEGB:|

|:e>f (g/b/).a/.g/ fdfa|e<ege bgeB|dd (e/d/).^c/.B/ ADFA|1 E<E G>A BEGB:|2 E>F (G/B/)(A/c/) BEGB||

 

OLD SIMON THE KING. AKA and see "Old Sir Simon/Symon the King."

 


OLD SIR SIMON/SYMON THE KING. AKA and see "To Old Sir Simon the King," "Sir Simon the King," "Simon the King," "Symon the King," "The Golden Age," "Ragged and torn, and true," "I'll ne'er be drunk again," "When this old cap was new," "Round about our coal‑fire." English, Scottish; Country Dance Tune (9/8 time), Air or Pipe Piece (9/4 time). England, Northumberland. D Dorian (Raven): A Minor (Vickers): A Mixolydian (Howe): C Major (Chappell, Johnson). Standard tuning. AAB (Chappell): AABB (Raven, Vickers): ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP (Johnson). This early 17th century air appears in Musick's Recreation on the Lyra‑Viol (1652) and Musick's Handmaid for the Virginals (1678). The original song was quite popular and quite bawdy. A long variation set appears in Johnson based on a harpsichord set by the famous English composer Henry Purcell (1659‑95) which appeared in Playford's Musick's Handmaid Part II (1689); Chappell (1859) states this setting appears in the publisher's A Choice Collection of Lessons, being excellently sett to the Harpsichord by the two great masters, Dr. John Blow, and the late Mr. Henry Purcell (1705). It appears as well in John Walsh’s The Division Flute (London, 1707), D’Urfey’s Pills to Purge Melancholy, and Johnson’s Caledonian Pocket Companion. Chappell remarks this tune was greatly in favor at and after the Restoration in England, and that many of the songs of the Cavaliers were sung to it. He does not support Hawkin's conjecture that the Simon of the title was one Simon Wadloe, landlord of the Devil Tavern at the time the Apollo Club met there (and whom Ben Jonson called "the King of Skynkers" {drawers of ale}). Sir John Hawkin's also disdainfully mentions the quality of music found in taverns, or 'music houses' as the became known, in this excerpt from his 1776 A General History of the Science and Practice of Music:

***

...Fidlers and others, hired by the master of the house; such

as in the night season were wont to parade the city and suburbs

under the title of Waits...Half a dozen of fidlers would scrape

'Sellenger's Round', or 'John, Come Kiss Me' or 'Old Simon the

King' with divisions, till themselves and their audience were tired,

after which as many players on the hautboy would in the most

harsh and discordant tones grate forth 'Greensleeves', 'Yellow

Stockings', 'Gillean of Croydon', or some such common dance

tune, and the people thought it fine music.

***

Fielding, in his novel Tom Jones, makes it Squire Western's favorite tune. Pulver (1923) remarks the popular melody was used in several early 18th century ballad operas, sometimes under different titles.

***

There is a nursery rhyme which goes:

***

Old Sir Simon the king

And young Sir Simon the squire

And old Mrs. Hickabout

Kicke Mrs. Kickabout

Round about our coal fire.

***

Source for notated version: Bremner's Scots Tunes (1759) [Johnson]. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; p. 147. Johnson (Scottish Fiddle Music in the 18th Century), 1984; No. 30, p. 84. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; p. 14. Seattle (Great Northern/William Vickers), 1770, Part 2; No. 369 (appears as "Old Simon the King"). Maggie’s Music MM220, Hesperus – “Celtic Roots.”

X:1

T:Old Sir Simon the King

M:9/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:Howe – 1000 Jigs and Reels (c. 1867)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

A | (B>cd) (d>ed) (d2A) | (B>cd) (d>ef) g2f | g2G G2A (B>cd) | (e>=fd) (c>dB) A2 ||

B | a2g f2e d2b | (a>bg) (f>ge) (d>ef) | g2G (G>AG) (Bcd) |e=fd) c>dB A2 :|

                       

OLD SKEDDADALINK. AKA and see “Mountain Hornpipe [1],” “Woody’s Hornpipe.” Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, West Virginia. The tune appears in the mid-19th century publications of Howe under the title “Mountain Hornpipe.”

                       


OLD SLEDGE [1]. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, West Virginia. D Major. AEad (Burl Hammons), ADad (Ed Haley), DGdg (Harvey Sampson) or Standard tunings (fiddle). ABB (Hammons/Krassen): AABB' (Phillips). 'Old Sledge' is a Southern and Western name for the game of cards commonly called (in England, esp.) 'All Fours'. It was one of the principle card games of colonial times and by the beginning of the 19th century it was the foremost American card game, remaining so for nearly a hundred years. The game apparently migrated to America from England in the early 1700's, and was also known by the names '7‑Up' and 'High‑Low‑Jack', but it was a true form of 'All‑Fours'. It is also reported that in Kentucky 'Old Sledge' was sometimes used as a name for dogs (The Devil's Box, March, 1974). Krassen says the tune seems peculiar to central West Virginia, and other sources as well have identified it as "a West Virginia standard," although each fiddler seems to have his or her own special version. 

***

Ernie Carpenter. Photo by  Michael Keller. Courtesy Goldenseal Magazine www.wvculture.org/goldenseal

***

West Virginia fiddler Ernie Carpenter learned the tune from legendary fiddler Lewis Johnson “Uncle” Jack McElwain (1856-1938) of White Oak, a tributary of Laurel Creek, near the village of Erbacon, Webster County, West Virginia. Local lore, remarks Gerry Milnes (Play of a Fiddle, 1999), gives that Erbacon was named by the habit of the cook at the local hotel, who invariably asked, “Do you want ham ‘r bacon?” Investigating further, Milnes found that the town was actually named for E.R. Bacon, an official with the B & O railroad. Milnes also reports that influential Logan County fiddler “Blind Ed” Haley (who had moved to Ashland, Kentucky) learned “Old Sledge,” among other tunes, from McElwain in the course of Haley’s playing circuits (Milnes opines the Haley’s rendition is “not notable”). Another Erbacon fiddler, Harry Scott (d. 1986), told Milnes that he seemed to rise three feet up off the ground upon hearing McElwain playing “Old Sledge,” it was so good. Source for notated version: Burl Hammons (Marlinton, Pocahontas County, W.Va.) [Krassen]. Krassen (Masters of Old Time Fiddling), 1983; p. 7. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, vol. 1), 1994; p. 174. Augusta Heritage Records 003, Ernie Carpenter ‑ "Elk River Blues: Traditional Tunes From Braxton County, W.Va." Augusta Heritage Recordings AHR-004C, Harvey Sampson and the Big Possum String Band – “Flat Foot in the Ashes” (1986/1994. Learned by Calhoun County, W.Va., fiddler Harvey Sampson from his father). Library of Congress AFS L65‑66, Burl Hammons‑ "The Hammons Family." Rounder 0010, "Fuzzy Mountain String Band" (1972. The high part of the tune was learned from Burl Hammons, while the low part was learned from West Virginia fiddler Emory Bailey). Rounder 0197, Bob Carlin ‑ "Banging and Sawing" (1985). Rounder 1133, Ed Haley Vol 2 – "Grey Eagle".

 

OLD SLEDGE [2]. Old-Time, Breakdown. D Major. AEad, GDgd or Standard tunings (fiddle). ABCD. Related to version #1. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; p. 175.

 

OLD SLEDGE [3]. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, West Virginia. D Major. AEad tuning (fiddle). ABA'BA'B (Wine in Krassen). This variant more closely resembles version #2. Kerry Blech remembers that source Melvin Wine would usually play this tune in the early 1970’s for the fiddle contest at Glenville. Source for notated version: Melvin Wine (Braxton County, West Virginia, who learned his version from his father and Webster County, W.Va., fiddler Jack McIlwaine) [Krassen]. Krassen (Masters of Old Time Fiddling), 1983; pp. 50-51. Poplar Records, Melvin Wine ‑ "Cold Frosty Morning."

 

OLD SLIPPER SHOE, THE (An tSeanbhróigín Bhog). AKA and see "Johnnie Seán the Rake." Irish, Reel. D Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AB. See also the related jig “Hag with the Money.” Source for notated version: fiddler Mrs. Murphy, 1967 (Glencollins, Ballydesmond, Co. Cork, Ireland) [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 277, pg. 142.

 

OLD SOLDIER [1], THE. AKA and see "Poor Old Soldier" (Pa.), "Poor Old Robinson Crusoe," "The Rogue's March [1]." American, March (6/8 time) or Jig. USA, southwestern Pa. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. The name given above comes from a rhyme associated with the tune which begins "Poor old soldier...", though Bayard did not hear it sung in Pennsylvania. As "The Rogue's March" the tune has been, since 1750, the melody to which miscreants were drummed out of the British Army. In America it has often been included in fife instructors as one of the regular "camp duty" melodys. Bayard (1981) says many of these camp duty airs entered traditional fife and fiddle repertory in Pennsylvania. Source for notated version: fiddler Steffy (Pa., 1949) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 449B, pg. 429.

 

OLD SOLDIER (WITH A WOODEN LEG) [2], THE. AKA and see "The Red Haired Boy ," "Wooden Leg." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, West Virginia. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. A version of the "Gilderoy" tune family, taking its name from one set of lyrics (given below) for the tune. See Bayard's (1944) note for "Gilderoy [2]" (Guilderoy) for more information.

***

There was an old soldier and he had a wooden leg,

He had no tobacco and tobacco he would beg.

Says this old soldier: "Won't you give me a chew?"

Says t'other old soldier: "I'll be darned if I do."          (Ford)

***

Also, another set of lyrics:

***

Oh, there was a little hen and she had a wooden foot,

And she laid her eggs in the mulberry root.

She laid more eggs than any hen on the farm,

Another little drink wouldn't do us any harm.

***

Chorus:

Save up your money, and save up your chalk,

And you'll always have tobacco in your old tobacco box.      (Ford)

***

Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 38.

 

OLD SOLLY'S FAVORITE. Old‑Time, Breakdown. The tune was in the repertoire of West Virginia fiddler Emory Bailey, and may refer to legendary West Virginia fiddler Solly Carpenter (see notes for "Camp Chase"). One of the few tunes played with the fiddle in AEad tuning, along with "Silver Lake [6]" and "Old Sledge."

 

OLD SOUTH. American, Schottische. USA, Arizona. G Major ('A' part), D Major ('B' part) & C Major ('C' part). Standard tuning. ABC. Arizona fiddler Kenner C. Kartchner called this tune "old as the hills" and thought it originated in the South. Ruth (Pioneer Western Folk Tunes), 1948; No. 93, pg. 33.

Z:1

T:Old South Schottische

L:1/8

M:4/4

S: Viola “Mom” Ruth – Pioneer Western Folk Tunes (1948)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

B>AF>A G2D2|B>db>a g4|{(f/g/}f2) A>c f2e2|d>BG>A B2c2|

B>AF>A G2D2|B>db>a g4|{(f/g/}f2) A>B c2F2|G>FG>A G4||

K:D

A2A2 F>Ad>f|a>ga>b a4|{(g/}b2) e>f g2c2|d>f (3dcB A4|

A2A2 F>Ad>f|a>ga>b a4|{(g/}b2) e>f g2c2|d>cd>e d4||

K:C

C>EG>c [G2e2][G2e2]|E>Gc>e g4|{(f/g/}a2) d>e f2B2|ce (3cBA G4|

C>EG>c [G2e2][G2e2]|E>Gc>e g4|{(f/g/}a2) d>e f2B2|c>Bc>d c4||

 

OLD SOUTHERN SCHOTTISCHE. American, Schottische. USA, Michigan. G Major ('A' part) & D Major ('B' part). Standard tuning. AABB. Johnson says the tune has been played in Michigan "at least since the days of Henry Ford's orchestra in the 1920's." Johnson (The Kitchen Musician's No. 7: Michigan Tunes), vol. 7, 1986‑87; pg. 2.

 

OLD SOUTHERN WALTZ. AKA and see “Grace Waltz.” American, Waltz. G Major. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. A tune by this name was in the repertoire of Maine fiddler Mellie Dunham. The elderly Dunham was Henry Ford's champion fiddler in the late 1920's. Apparently, however, it was originally called “Grace Waltz” (see note for that tune). Source for notated version: Winston Fitzgerald (1914-1987, Cape Breton) [Cranford]. Cranford (Winston Fitzgerald), 1997; No. 221, pg. 88.

 

OLD SPAND HORNPIPE. AKA and see “Waterman’s Dance.” English, “Old” Hornpipe (triple time). C Major. Standard tuning. ABCDEFGHIJKL. From Thomas Marsden’s A Collection of Original Lancashire Hornpipes, Old and New. Containing Divisions upon each (London, 1705). The book was sold out of Henry Playford’s shop at the Temple Change, priced at one shilling.
X:1
T:Old Spand Hornpipe
M:9/4
L:1/4
S:Marsden
N:you might like to try G Dorian as K
Z:Transcribed by Pete Stewart and posted at www.goodbagpipes.co.uk/pipetunes/   
N:(reposted at Fiddler’s Companion by permission)
K:C
GDFECEDB,D|FCFFCFE2F|GDFECEDB,D|GDGGDFE2F||
GDF ECEDB,D|C3 F2A/B/c2B/A/|dDFECEDB,D|G,3G2A/B/c2B/A/||
Bd2Ac2GB2|A3F2A/B/c2B/A/|Bd2Ac2GB2|B/A/B/c/dG>ABc>BA||
B>c d/B/ A>B c/A/ G>A B/G/|A>B c/A/  F>G A/F/  A>B c/A/|B>c d/B/ A>B c/A/ G>A 
B/G/|B>c d/B/ G>A B/G/ A>B c/A/||
B/A/ B/c/ d e/d/e/f/gf/e/f/g/a|f3F2A/B/c2B/A/|B/A/ B/c/ d e/d/e/f/gf/e/f
/g/a|g3G2A/B/ c2B/A/||
Bd2eg2fa2|f3F2A/B/c2B/A/|B/A/ B/c/ d e/d/e/f/gf/e/f/g/a|g3G2A/B/ c2B/A/||
f>edg>fef>ed|c>B A/G/ F>GA/B/ c>de|f>edg>fe a>gf|g3G2A/B/c2d/e/||
fdBcAFGDB,|C3F2A/B/c2d/e/|fdBcAFGDB,|D3G2A/B/c2B/c/||
D2GC2FB,2D|A,2FFCFE2G|D2GC2GB,2D|G,2GGDFE2F||
G/D/ G/D/ G/D/ ECEDB,D|FCFFCFE2F|G/D/ G/D/ G/D/ ECEDB,D|G/D/ G/D/ G/D/ G /D/ G/D/ G/D/E2F||
G/D/ G/D/ G/D/ ECEDB,D|C3F2A/B/c2B/A/|d2c/B/c2B/A/ G/AB/G|D3G2A/B/c2B/A/|
dBGcAFG/AB/G|cAF2 ABcBA|dBGcAFG/AB/G|B/A/ B/c/ddGdc2B/A/||
B/A/B/c/dA>Bc B/A/B/c/d|A>BccFd c>BA|d2c/B/c2B/A/GDB,|G,3G2A/B/c2B/A/||

 

OLD SPINNING WHEEL. Old‑Time, Breakdown or Foxtrot. USA; Mo., Arizona. B Flat Major (Missouri): F Major (Arizona). Standard. Arizona fiddler Kenner C. Kartchner played a duet with another fiddler, "Made a good foxtrot in 1930" (Shumway). Missouri State Old Time Fiddler's Association 001, Pete McMahan ‑ "Ozark Mountain Waltz."

 

OLD SPORT [1]. Old‑Time, American; Reel. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. No relation to version #2 and #3. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 28. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 53. Rounder CD 11661-7033-2, Natalie MacMaster – “My Roots are Showing” (2000).

X:1

T:Old Sport [1]

M:C|

L:2/4

R:Reel

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

(c/B/) | .A(E/A/) F/A/E/A/ | c/e/d/c/ B/d/c/B/ | .A(E/A/) F/A/E/A/ | c/d/B/c/ A/d/c/B/ |

.A(E/A/) F/A/E/A/ | c/e/d/c/ B>g | a/g/f/e/ f/e/d/c/ | B/A/G/B/ A :: (c/d/) | e/f/e/g/ a/e/c/A/ |

G/A/B/c/ .d(e/d/) | c/e/a/e/ f/b/b/a/ | g/a/f/g/ .e(e/g/) | {g/}a/g/a/e/ .f(f/d/) |

.e(e/c/) .d(c/d/) | e/f/e/d/ c/e/d/B/ | A{g}aA :|

 

OLD SPORT [2]. AKA and see "Callahan," "Last of Callahan." Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, southwestern Va. A Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Identified by Albert Hash as originally having been a British Isles tune. Source for notated version: Albert Hash (Rugby, Va.) [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 175.

 

OLD SPORT [3]. Old-Time, Breakdown. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Little relation to version #1 or #2. Source for notated version: John Hartford [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 175.

                       

OLD ST. JOE. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Missouri. C Major. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Despite source Silvey’s attribution, no recordings of the tune by Arthur Smith were found by Mark Wilson. Drew Beisswenger (2008) suggests the tune was named for St. Joseph, Missouri or the Arkansas towns of Old Joe or St. Joe. Source for notated version: H.K. Silvey (b. 1934, Theodosia, Mo.), learned from his uncle Jess Silvey, who said he had it from radio broadcasts of Tennessee’s Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith [Beisswenger & McCann]. Beisswener & McCann (Ozark Fiddle Music), 2008; pg. 128. Rounder 0437, H.K. Silvey  – “Traditional Fiddle Music of the Ozarks, vol. 3: Down in the Border Counties” (2000).

                       


OLD ST. JUST COCK DANCE, THE. English, "Probably a Polka." G Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC. From the Cornish Song Book, 1929. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 210.

 

OLD STAGE, THE. Irish, Slide (12/8 time). Green Linnet GLCD 1184, Patrick Street – “Made in Cork” (1997).

 

OLD STEAM TRAIN, THE.  Irish, Reel. Composed by County Tipperary fiddler Seán Ryan (d. 1985). Ryan (The Hidden Ireland), 26.

 

OLD STEPHEN CROWDER. English. England, Northumberland. One of the "missing tunes" from William Vickers' 1770 Northumbrian dance tune manuscript.

 

OLD STEWART'S BACK AGAIN, THE. Scottish, English; Reel. England, Northumberland. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. A Jacobite melody. John Glen (1891) finds the earliest printing of the tune in Robert Bremner's 1757  collection. See note for "Up and Waur Them A', Willie [1]." Bremner (Scots Reels), c. 1757; pg. 88. Seattle (William Vickers), 1770/1987, Part 3; No. 516.

X:1

T:Old Stuarts back again

M:C

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Bremner – Scots Reels (c. 1757) 

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

(c | B)GAG FGA(c | BG)AG cEE(c | B)GAG FGA(g | f)de^c dDD :|

|: fgaf gabg | fgaf beeg | fgaf gab(g | f)de^c dDD :|

 

OLD STICK BEAT MARCH. AKA and see "The Stick Beat ," "Old Seven Spot."

 

OLD STILLHOUSE (IS ALL BURNT DOWN) [1], THE. Old-Time. USA, Missouri. A Major. AEac# tuning. In the repertoire of southwestern Missouri Ozarks fiddler Bob Holt (b. 1930), learned from the whistling of his father and his Uncle Node’s banjo playing, both of whom had it from elderly musicians of two old local families, the Deckards and the Potters. Mark Wilson (Rounder 0436) notes that there appears to be two main branches of tunes with this title, although there may be more. Rounder 0436, Bill Graves – “Traditional Fiddle Music of the Ozarks, vol. 2: On the Springfield Plain.”

 

OLD STILLHOUSE IS A-BURNING DOWN [2], THE.  AKA – “Possum and Taters.” Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Missouri. A Major. Standard tuning. AB. A different tune than Bob Holt’s “The Old Stillhouse is all Burnt Down.” The alternate title, “Possum and Taters,” was also known to source Glenn Rickman (whose primary title was “The Old Stillhouse is a-Burning Down,” although that title is also applied to other, unrelated tunes). Drew Beisswenger (2008) finds the Georgia band The Skillet Lickers tune “Possum and Taters” (as recorded in the late 1920’s in their skit “Possum Hunt on Stump House Mountain”) to be a similar tune. Source for notated version: Glenn Rickman (1901-1982, Hurley, Mo.) [Beisswenger & McCann]. Beisswenger & McCann (Ozark Fiddle Music), 2008; pg. 111.

 

OLD STILLHOUSE IS BURNING DOWN [3], THE. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Missouri. In the repertoire of Bill Graves. Unrelated to other “Old Stillhouse…” tunes. Graves sang the following  verse to the tune (compare with “Pretty Polly Ann” and “Shortening Bread”):

***

Put on the tea pot, put on the pan;

I’m going to marry you, pretty Polly Ann.

The old still house is all burnt down,

The old still house is all burnt down.

***

 

OLD STORY TELLER, THE ("An Seanacaid Aosda" or "An Sean Cuide Aosda"). AKA and see “Pomona Hornpipe.” Irish, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 210. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1752, pg. 326. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 924, pg. 158.

X:1

T:Old Story-Teller, The

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 924

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

(3DEF | G2 GA BcdB | cBcd e2(3def | gfge dBGB | cBAG FADF |

G2 GA BcdB |{d}cBcd ede g| bgdB {d}cAFD | G2G2G2 :|

|: (3def | {a}gfga bgdB | {d}cBcd ecAf | {a}gfga bgdB | cdef g2 ga |

(3bag fa (3gfe df | (3edc ge dBGB | dgfg ecAF|G2G2G2 :|

 

OLD STRATHSPEY. Scottish, Strathspey. F Major. Standard tuning. AABBC. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 3; No. 157, pg. 19.

X:1

T:Old Strathspey

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 3, No. 157

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:F

c|f2 (f>a) f<f f>a|f>ag>f e<cc>e|f<f f>a f>ag>a|b<d g>e (f2f):|

|:c|A<c c<f A<c c<f|d<B B<d c>AG>B|A<c c<f d<B B<d|c>BA>G F/F/F F:|

 

OLD STUART'S BACK AGAIN, THE. See "The Old Stewart's Back Again."

 

OLD SWALLOWTAIL, THE.  See “McKenna’s [2].”

 

OLD SWINNIE. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Southwest Va. In the repertoire of Fiddlin' Cowan Powers 1877‑1952? (Russell County, Va.) and recorded by him with his family band for Victor in August, 1924, but un-issued.

 

OLD TANGLEFOOT. American, Hornpipe. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB’. "Can be used as a Clog" (Cole). Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 99. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 135.

X:1

T:Old Tanglefoot

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

(3EFG|A>GA>B A>ce>c|B^AB>c B>Fd>c|B>cd>e f>ga>f|({f}e>)^de>f e>cc>B|

({B}A>)GA>B A>ce>c|({c}B>)^AB>c B>Fd>c|e>ag>f e>dc>B|A2c2A2:|

|:(3cBA|B>e^d>e B>gf>g|e>Be>g b2 (ag)|f>ga>f ^d>Bc>d|(3.e.g.f (3.e.^d.c B2 (GA)|

B>e^d>e B>gf>g|e>be>g b2 a>g|f>ga>f ^d>Bc>d|1 e2g2e2:|2 ({f}e>)^de>f e>=dc>B||

 

OLD TATTERED FIDDLER.  Canadian, Jig. Canada, Cape Breton. G Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB’. Composed by the late Cape Breton fiddler and composer Jerry Holland (1955-2009). Cranford (Jerry Holland: The Second Collection), 2000; No. 301, pg. 107.

 

OLD TAYLOR [1]. Old‑Time, Breakdown. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Perhaps referring to Zachary Taylor, hero of the war with Mexico in the late 1840's and a President of the United States. Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 51.

 

OLD TAYLOR [2]. English, Morris Dance Tune (4/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning. ABBBCCC (x3), A. The tune was collected in the Cotswold village of Ducklington, Oxfordshire, England. Source for notated version: Carey [Bacon]. Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pg. 132.

 

OLD TEMPLE HOUSE REEL. AKA and see “Evergreen Lasses,” "Templehouse (Reel).” Irish, Reel. E Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 5. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 28.

X:1

T:Old Temple House Reel

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:Emin

E2 GE BEGE | D2 FD ADFD | E2 GA BAGA | BdBA BE E2 | E2 GE BEGE |

D2 FD ADFD | E2 GA BAGA | BdBA BE E2 :: g2 dg g2 eg | fddf fddf |

gfeg fgaf | edde fe e2 | gfef gfeg | fddf fddf | efge afgd | dBAc BE E2 :|

 

OLD TENTH, THE. AKA and see "The Gallant Sixty‑Ninth," "The Gals of Sixty‑Nine," "The Irishman's Shanty." American, March (6/8 time). USA, southwestern Pa. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Bayard (1981) identifies this as one of the "Welcome Home" family of tunes. Source for notated version: Hoge MS (a fife MS from western Pa., 1944) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 606D, pg. 536.

 


OLD TIDDLEY-TOE. AKA and see "Teetotaler('s Reel)," "Temperance Reel," "Devil in Georgia [1]," "Kingsport."

 

OLD TIME (CLOG) [1]. American, Clog. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 90.

 

OLD TIME (STRAIGHT JIG) [2]. American, "Straight Jig" (2/4 time). C Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The 'A' part is shared with "The Saratoga Hornpipe [3]," "Kitty O'Neill [3]," "Snapping Jig," and "Away Back." Hardings All‑Round Collection, 1905; No. 138, pg. 13.

 

OLD TIME BACK STEP CINDY. AKA and see "Backstep Cindy."

 

OLD TIME BILLY IN THE LOWGROUND. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Kentucky. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. No relation to the key of ‘C’ tune usually played under the title “Billy in the Lowground,” that is much better known. In the repertoire of Kelly Gilbert (1895-1991), who said it was originally known to local fiddlers as “Billy in the Lowground,” but that the appellation “Old Time Billy…” was added when recordings of the ‘C’ major tune began to circulate, a common practice when the same name applied to two different tunes. Gilbert told researchers Guthrie Meade and John Harrod that he had learned the tune from his mentor Lewis Goins and that it was played in Franklin County in the 19th century (Goins’ father was a fiddler and had six sons, all of whom were fiddlers, remarks Jeff Titon). Source for notated version: Kelly Gilbert (Frankfort, Franklin County, Ky., 1978) [Titon]. Titon (Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes), 2001; No. 120, pg. 148. Rounder 0377, Kelly Gilbert (et al) – “Traditional Fiddle Music of Kentucky, Vol. 2: Along the Kentucky River” (1997).

 

OLD TIME BLACKBERRY BLOSSOM. See “Blackberry Blossom [2].”

 

OLD TIME CINDA. AKA and see "Cindy [1]." Old-Time, Breakdown. “Silly Bill” (backed with “Old Time Cinda”) was recorded in New York for Okeh Records on January 15, 1925 by an un-named string band of musicians from the upper South led by fiddler Al Hopkins. According to Mark Green, when Ralph Peer (OKeh’s man running the recording session) asked for the groups’ name, Hopkins is said to have replied something like, ‘We’re nothing but a bunch of hillbillies from North Carolina and Virginia. Call us anything.” The record was issued as “Vocal chorus by Al Hopkins/The Hill Billies,” the first use of the term in association with old-time music [see Wayne Daniel, Pickin’ on Peachtree, 1990, pg. 56). Document 8039, “The Hill Billies/Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters: Compoete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, vol. 1” (reissue). OKeh 40294 (78 RPM), The Hill Billies, 1925.

                       

OLD TIME EIGHTH OF JANUARY. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Ozark region. The tune is similar to Bob Holt’s “Ninth of January.” Rounder 0437, Alton Jones  – “Traditional Fiddle Music of the Ozarks, vol. 3: Down in the Border Counties” (appears under the title “Lost Indian”).

                       

OLD TIME FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN. AKA and see "Fire on the Mountain [5]." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Franklin County, Va. D Major. Standard tuning. The tune (which does not resemble the commonly heard "Fire on the Mountain") consists of a single strain repeated in a different octave. Tom Carter and Blanton Owen remark that the tune is reminiscent of Norman Edmond's "Hawks and Eagles." See also the tune “Sambo.” Rounder 0057, Sam Connor (Franklin County, Va.) ‑ "Old Originals, vol. 1" (1978).

 

OLD TIME GREY EAGLE.  Old-Time, Breakdown. C Major.

 

OLD TIME JOHN HENRY. Old-Time, Breakdown. AEae tuning. Reed Island Rounders - “Wolves in the Wood” (1997).

 

OLD TIME MOCKINGBIRD. AKA and see "Kitty Puss," "Tucker's Old Barn [1]," "Puncheon Camp(s)." Old-Time. From the playing of Hillside, Va., Norman Edmonds.

 

OLD TIME SCHOTTISCHE. Old‑Time, Schottische. The tune was recorded for the Library of Congress by musicologist/folklorist Vance Randolph, from Ozark Mountain fiddlers in the early 1940's.

 

OLD TIME STEP BACK CINDY. See “Holly Ding,” “Step-Back Cindy.”

 

OLD TIME WAGONER. AKA and see "Wagoner [1]." The tune was recorded for the Library of Congress by musicologist/folklorist Vance Ranolph, from Ozark Mountain fiddlers in the early 1940's.

 

OLD-TIME WALTZ.  AKA and see “Victory Waltz.” Old-Time, Waltz. USA, Missouri. C Major. Standard tuning. AB. Source for notated version: Audie “Buster” Fellow (1911-1991, Bolivar, Polk County, Missouri, who, when aged 12, learned it from a cousin from Maries County) [Beisswenger & McCann]. Beisswenger & McCann (Ozark Fiddle Music), 2008; pg. 184.

                       


OLD TIME WEDDING REEL [1]. AKA and see “Cape Breton Wedding Reel,” "John o' Badenyond,” “MacIssac’s Reel.” Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. A Aeolian. Standard tuning. AB (Perlman): AABB (Dunlay). Dunlay & Reich (1986) and Dunlay & Greenberg (1996) record that, as a result of the classic recording by Dan J. Campbell and Angus Allan Gillis, the “Old Time Wedding Reels” have become a standard medley in Cape Breton and were often played for dancing at wedding celebrations. The Cape Breton tune is a variant of the G Dorian strathspey “John of Badenyon,” found in Scottish collections, and the editors think it may be related to “Tha Duthrachd Mo Chridhe Dhuit (You Have My Heart’s Love) in MacDonald’s Gesto Collection (originally taken from Alexander Campbell’s publication Albyn’s Anthology (1816-18}). Sources for notated versions: Dan J. Campbell and Angus Allan Gillis (Cape Breton) [Dunlay and Greenberg]; Peter Chaisson, Sr. (B. 1929, Bear River, North-East Kings County, Prince Edward Island) [Perlman]. Dunlay & Greenberg (Traditional Celtic Violin Music of Cape Breton), 1996; pg. 44. Dunlay and Reich (Traditional Celtic Fiddle Music of Cape Breton), 1986; pg. 42. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 95 (appears as “Cape Breton Wedding Reel”). DAB4-1985, Donald Angus Beaton “(appears as “Old Time Wedding Reel”). JC 126, John Campbell‑ "Cape Breton on the Floor" (1981). Celtic 011 (78 RPM) CX011, CX 1, "Dan J. Campbell and Angus Allan Gillis" (1930's). Celtic SCX 58, Elmer Briand (Appears as “John of Badenyon Strathspey). Culburnie Records CUL102c, Alasdair Fraser & Jody Stecher – “The Driven Bow” (1988). IMS-WRC1-618, Hector MacKenzie - “Highland Village Ceilidh” (appears as 2nd reel in “Square Set”). MacIssac LP-13, Walter MacIssac (Newfoundland)- “Musical Memories of Codroy Valley” (appears as “MacIssac’s Reel”). Marimac 6501, Gus Longaphie (P.E.I.) - “The Old Time Fiddlers of P.E.I” (1993. Appears as “Cape Breton Wedding Reel”). Padledoo Music PAD105, Jerry Holland & Alasdair Fraser - “Scottish Fiddle Rally, Concert Highlights 1985-1995" (1996). Rounder C-7013, Joe Cormier - “Old Time Wedding Reels” (1992). Smithsonian Folkways Records, SFW CD 40507, The Beaton Family of Mabou – “Cape Breton Fiddle and Piano Music” (2004). Boys of the Lough – “Welcoming Paddy Home” (1986).

X:1

T:Old Time Wedding Reel #1

T:See ref. John Badenyon Strathspey Skye Collection

R:Reel

A:Cape Breton

S:Sandy MacIntyre

N:From the playing of Sandy MacIntyre

Z:Transcribed Nov 20 1998 by Wil Macaulay

M:C

L:1/8

K:Amin

B | AGEG AGEG | cdcA G2Gc | A/A/A cd edce | cAcd e2eg |

abag egdB | cAGE c2cd | edcA GEcE | D/D/D EG A3 :|

|:g | ageg agea | gedB g2gb | agea gbed | cAcd e2eg |

abag egdB | cAGE c2cd | edcA GEcE | D/D/D EG A3 :|

 

OLD TIME WEDDING REEL [2]. AKA and see "Hamish the Carpenter," “Och a Chiallain.” Canadian, Reel. Canada; Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AB (Dunlay & Reich, Perlman): AABB (Shears): AABBAAB’B’ (Dunlay & Greenberg). Dunlay & Greenberg (1996) point out this is a good reel for two fiddles to double on, since the ‘B’ part can be played high and low in first position. MacMaster’s version illustrates this in four parts, with one low ‘B’ part and one high (part ‘D’). The reel was set for pipes by Barry Shears in his Gathering of the Clans Collection (1986). Source for notated version: Buddy MacMaster (Cape Breton) [Dunlay & Greenberg]; Gus Longaphie (North-East Kings County, Prince Edward Island) [Perlman]. Dunlay & Greenberg (Traditional Celtic Violin Music of Cape Breton), 1996; pg. 45. Dunlay & Reich (Traditional Celtic Fiddle Music of Cape Breton), 1986; pg. 43. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 95. Shears (Gathering of the Clans Collection, vol. 1), 1986; pg. 53 (pipe setting. Appears as “The Wedding Reel”). JC 126, John Campbell‑ "Cape Breton on the Floor” (1981). Celtic 011 (78 RPM) CX011, CX 1, "Dan J. Campbell and Angus Allan Gillis" (1930's). CLM8, Carl MacKenzie - “Cape Breton Fiddle Medleys” (1996). Culburnie Records CUL102c, Alasdair Fraser & Jody Stecher – “The Driven Bow” (1988). IMS-WRC1-618, Hector MacKenzie - “Highland Village Ceilidh” (appears as 3rd reel in “Square Set”). Marimac 6501, Gus Longaphie - “The Old Time Fiddlers of P.E.I.” (1993. Appears as “Hamish the Carpenter”). Paddledoo Music PAD 105, Jerry Holland & Alasdair Fraser - “Scottish Fiddle Rally, Concert Highlights 1985-1995" (1996. Appears as “Traditional Reel”). Rounder C-7013, Joe Cormier - “Old Time Wedding Reels” (1992. Appears as 2nd of “Old Time Wedding Reels”). Sea-Cape Music ACR4-12940, Buddy MacMaster - “Judique on the Floor” (1989. Appears as “Traditional Reel”). Smithsonian Folkways Records, SFW CD 40507, The Beaton Family of Mabou – “Cape Breton Fiddle and Piano Music” (2004). Boys of the Lough – “Welcoming Paddy Home” (1986). WMT002, Wendy MacIsaac – “That’s What You Get” (1998?  Appears as “Herman the Carpenter”).

X:1

T:Old Time Wedding Reel #2

T:Hamish the Carpenter

D:Boys of the Lough, Welcoming Paddy Home (1986)

Z:Nigel Gatherer

M:4/4

L:1/8

K:Ador

A2 GE GAgf | e2 dB de g2 | A2 GE GAgf | egdB AAAB |

A2 GE GAgf | e2 dB de g2 | (3efg dB GABd | (3efg dB G2 G2 |]

eaab a2 ge | gaba ge d2 | eaab a2 ge | dBgB BA A2 :|]\

X:2

T:Old Time Wedding Reel #2

T:Hamish the Carpenter

T:Och a Chiallain

R:Reel

A:Cape Breton

S:Sandy MacIntyre

N:From the playing of Sandy MacIntyre

Z:Transcribed Nov 20 1998 by Wil Macaulay

M:C

L:1/8

K:Amin

B | A2GE GABd | e2dB degB | A2GE GABd | egdB A/A/A AB |

  A2GE GABd | e2dB dega | gedB GABd | egdB A/A/A A ||

B | Aaab a2ge | gaba gegd | eaab a2ge | dBgB A/A/A A B, |

A,aab a2ge | gaba gegd | egab ageg | dBgB A/A/A A ||

 

OLD TIME WEDDING REEL [3]. AKA and see “Beaton’s Last,” “Big Coffin Reel,” “Cuir sa' Chiste Mhóir Mi,” "Put Me in the Big Chest,” “Put Me in the Box." Canadian, Reel. A Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC. Related to William Marshall’s “Miss Cruikshank’s Reel (--Glass).” Culburnie Records CUL102c, Alasdair Fraser & Jody Stecher – “The Driven Bow” (1988). Boys of the Lough – “Welcoming Paddy Home” (1986).

X:1

T:Old Time Wedding Reel #3

T:Put Me In the Big Chest

T:Cuir's a' Chiste Mhoir Mi

R:Reel

A:Cape Breton

S:Sandy MacIntyre

N:From the playing of Sandy MacIntyre

Z:Transcribed Nov 20 1998 by Wil Macaulay

P:ABCB

M:C

L:1/8

K:A

P:A

F | EFAB c2cf | ecBA F/F/F AF | EFAB cBcf | ecBc A/A/A A :|

P:B

c | efec eAAc | efec BABc | efec efaf | ecBc A/A/A A :|

P:C

F | EFAB c2cB | c2cB ce fz |  EFAB cBcf | ecBc A/A/A A :|


                       

OLD TIMER CLOG . American, Clog. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB’. White’s Unique Collection, 1896; No. 153, pg. 28.

X:1

T:Old Timer Clog

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Clog

S:White’s Unique Collection (1896), No. 153

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

(3def || (g>.d)(B>.d) (e>.c)(A>.F) | G>FG>B A>FD>C | B>DG>F E>cA>G |

F>d^c>e d>de>f | g>dB>d e>cA>F | G>FG>B A>FD>C | B,>DG>F E>cA>F |

G2 [D2B2][B,2G2] :: G2 | A>GA>B c>Bc>d | e>de>f g2d2 | g>fe>d c>BA>G |

F>d^c>e d>de>f | g>dB>d e>cA>F | G>FG>B A>FD>C | B,>DG>F E>cA>F |1

G2 [D2B2][B,2G2] :|2 G>BA>c (B>e) (3def ||

           

OLD TIMER REEL. AKA and see “Elizabeth’s Big Coat.” Canadian, Reel. The tune was broadcast by Don Messer in the 1940’s. Rounder CD7014, Sid Baglole – “Fiddlers of Western Prince Edward Island” (1997. Baglole’s version features a different ‘B’ part than most versions).

 

OLD TIMERS, THE. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. G Major. Standard tuning. AABBCCDD. Composed by fiddler Jerry Holland (Inverness, Cape Breton). Cranford (Jerry Holland’s), 1995; No. 182, pg. 51.

 

OLD TIMES [1]. Irish, American; Schottische. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. The tune was in the repertoire of Maine fiddler Mellie Dunham. The elderly Dunham was Henry Ford's (a promoter of traditional music and dance) champion fiddler in the late 1920's. Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 3; No. 156, pg. 52.

X:1

T:Old Times [1]

M:C

L:1/8

R:Schottische

S:Roche -  vol. 3, No. 156  (1927)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

(B>c)|d2 (3ded B2 (3BdB|G2 (3GAB D3D|G>FG>B A2D2|G>FG>B A2 (Bc)|

d2 (3ded B2 (3BdB|G2 (3GAB D3D|G>FG>B A2D|G>BA>D Gz||

D2|G2 B>d g3g|g>ff>e e2d2|D2 FA d3d|edBG E2D2|

G2 (Bd)g3g|gdBd edBA|dBGE DEGB|ADEF G2||

 

OLD TIMES [2]. American, March (2/4 time). USA, southwestern Pa. G Major. Standard tuning. AABCD. No relation to version #1. Source for notated version: Mount Pleasant Tablatures (Pa., 1950's) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 46, pg. 35.

 

OLD TIN PAN. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Virginia. Marimac AHS #3, Glen Smith – “Say Old Man” (1990. Learned from Ed MacMurray).

 

OLD TIPPERARY (Sean-Tiobraid Árann). AKA and see “Jolly Banger [2]," “Munster Girls,” “Munster Lasses.” Irish, Double Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AB (Mitchell): ABB (Breathnach, CRÉ 2): AABB (Breathnach, CRE I, Taylor): AA’BB’ (Harker/Rafferty). A classic piping jig. Breathnach notes the second part of this air is almost the same as the first part of “Munster Lass” published in Walker’s Hibernian Magazine (May, 1787). “The Leitrim Jig [1]" is a related tune. Sources for notated versions: fiddler Patrick Kelly, 1966 (Cree, Co. Clare, Ireland) [Breathnach, CRE 2]; piper Willie Clancy/Liam Mac Flannchadha (1918-1973, Miltown Malbay, west County Clare, Ireland) [Breathnach, CRE 1, Mitchell]; set dance music recorded at Na Píobairí Uilleann in the late 1980’s [Taylor]; New Jersey flute player Mike Rafferty, born in Ballinakill, Co. Galway, in 1926 [Harker]. Breathnach (CRE I), 1963; No. 16, pg. 8. Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 23, pg. 14. Harker (300 Tunes from Mike Rafferty), 2005; No. 212, pg. 65. Mitchell (Dance Music of Willie Clancy), 1993; No. 17, pgs. 38-39. Taylor (Music for the Sets: Blue Book), 1995; pg. 3. Shanachie 79093, Paddy Glackin & Robbie Hannan – “The Whirlwind” (1995. Learned from Clare piper Willie Clancy).

See also listings at:

Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources 

Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info

X:1

T:Old Tipperary

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:David Kidd

Z:Lorna LaVerne

K:G Major

d |cAF ~G3 | ABA G2d | cAG GFG | ADE F2d |

cAF ~G3 | ABA GBd | fdd edd | fdd cAd |

cAF ~G3 | ABA G2d | cAG GFG | ADE F2d |

cAF ~G3 | ABA GBd | fdd edd | fdd cAF |

GBd ~g3 | gaf g2g | dgg dgg | a2g fga |

bag agf | gfe f2e | dcA (3Bcd e | fed cAF |

GBd ~g3 | gaf g2g | dgg dgg | a2g fga |

bag agf | gfe f2e | dcA (3Bcd e | fed cAF |

X:2

T:Old Tipperary

R:Jig

H:This comes after Andy McGann's Fancy. He and Andy played them at the

H:Bunratty in the Bronx.

Z:Lesl from the playing of Mike Rafferty

M:6/8

L:1/8

K:G

dcA G~G2|ABA G2z|dcA G~G2|ADE FGA|

dcA G~G2|ABA g~g2|fzd edd|fed cAd||

cAF G~G2|ABA G2z|dcA G~G2|ADE FGA|

dcA G~G2|ABA gzg|fdd edd|fed cAF||

|:GBd g~g2|gaf g2z|dgg dgg|azg fga|

bgb afa|gfe fze|dcA dze|1 fed cAF:|2 fed cAd|cAF G3||

                       

OLD TOASTY. Scottish, Hornpipe. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB’CCDD’. Composed by Angus Lawrie. Martin (Ceol na Fidhle, Vol. 3), 1988; pg. 10.

                       

OLD TOM. AKA and see “Autumn Leaves,” "The Day I Met Tom Moylan,” “Ginley’s Fancy,” “Handsome Sally [1],” “Ivy Leaf [2],” “The Man of the House,” “The Merry Thatcher,” "Mind My Border," " Mind My Brother," “Miss Kelly’s Favourite,” “The New Potatoes,” “Paddy Carthy’s Reel [2],” "Sally Grant," “Through the Heather." Irish, Reel.

 


OLD TOM OF OXFORD. English, Morris Dance Tune (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. ABCBCB. Collected from the village of Bampton, Oxfordshire, in England's Cotswolds. ‘Old Tom’ is the name of a famous bell in Christ Church College, Oxford, which hangs in Tom Tower (designed by Christopher Wren). Old Tom, or Great Tom, dates from the sixteenth century and is still sounded each night—101 times, to signify the 100 original scholars of the college (plus one, added in 1663). Bampton fiddler Jinky Wells was interviewed by collector Peter Kennedy in 1952 and had this to say about “Old Tom”:

***

Old Tom of Oxford, he was a forester. He took up with this lad, see—his oldest

sister’s son—and they lived and dwelled in a caravan. And they was ‘awkers—

they used to ‘awk all sorts of things, mats and brushes and brooms, oh, dozens

of things. Well, he picked up with a girl in Oxford Well, as the song went: “Old

Tom of Oxford and young Jim Kent”—that was his nephew—“They married Old

Moll and off they went.” And she lived in the caravan with ‘em. And while they

was out doing the ‘awking, I suppose, she used to look after the caravan and do

the cooking and all that sort of thing. And I’ve yeared it said they lived together

for years. And they never quarrelled, nor they never had no disagreement, nor

never fell out, the two men with the one woman.    [Folktrax 90-084, “Constant Billy: The Morris Dancers of Bampton”]

***

Wells insisted there were “no backsteps” in dancing “Old Tom.” A D minor version of the tune under the title “The Old Oxford” appears in Daniel Wright’s Extraordinary Collection of Pleasant and Merry Humours etc. (c. 1713). Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pg. 54. Mallinson (Mally’s Cotswold Morris Book), 1988; No. 46, pg. 29. Bellow FECD 175, Spiears &Boden. Veteran VT111, Francis Shergold - "Greeny Up" (1988. Recorded from Bampton morris musicians).

X:1

T:Old Tom of Oxford

M:4/4

L:1/8

S:Bacon – The Morris Ring

K:G

Bc|d2 ef g2d2|c2B2A2 BA|G2 Bc d2g2|f2g2a2 gf|

d2 ef g2d2|c2B2A2 ef|g2d2c2B2|A4 G2||dc|
Bc d2B2d2|B2d2 gfed|c2e2c2e2|c2e2 gfed|

B2d2B2c2|d2 ef g2f2|g2d2c2B2|A4 G4||

M:2/4
L:1/8

B2c2|

M:4/4

L:1/8

d4 e2f2|g4 d2|c4 B4|A6 BA|G4 B2c2|d4 g4|f4 g4|

M:2/4

L:1/8

A2 fe|

M:4/4

L:1/8

D2 ef g2d2|c2B2A2 ef|g2d2c2B2|A4 G2||

 

OLD TORN PETTICOAT [1]. Old-Time, Breakdown. D Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AAAABB. Source for notated version: Doug Phillips [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 176.

 

OLD TORN PETTICOAT [2]. Irish, Jig. D Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AABB. The second part is in G Major, but both parts cadence on E Minor. Source for notated version: set dance music recorded at Na Píobairí Uilleann, late 1980’s [Taylor]. Taylor (Music for the Sets: Blue Book), 1995; pg. 31.

 

OLD TORN PETTICOAT [3], THE. AKA and see “Molly Put the Kettle On [3].” Irish, Reel. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AB (Harker/Rafferty): AABB : AABB’ (McGuire & Keegan). See also the related Scottish melody “Jenny Nettles [1]." O’Neill’s “Molly Put the Kettle On [3]" is a closely related tune. Harker (300 Tunes from Mike Rafferty), 2005; No. 67, pg. 21. McGuire & Keegan (Irish Tunes by the 100, vol. 1), 1975; No. 40, pg. 11. Larraga TR1103, Mary Rafferty – “Hand Me Downs” (2002).

See also listings at:

Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources 

Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info

X:1

T:Old Torn Petticoat [3]

M:4/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Martin Hayes

K:Ador

c2 Bc AGED|G2 BG dGBG|c2 Ac BAGE|DEGB ~A3B|

(3cBA BG AGEF|G2 BG dGBG|c2 Bc AGEF|GABG ~A3 B:|

~c3d eg~g2|eaaf aged| c3d eg~g2|eaag a4|

~c3d eg~g2|eaaf aged| c2Bc AGEF|GABG ~A3B:|

 

OLD TORN PETTICOAT [4], THE. AKA and see “Smiling Susan.” Irish, Reel. See also the related slide “Worn, Torn Petticoat” and the reel “Touch Me if You Dare [1].” O’Neill (Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody), 1922; No. 244.

 

OLD TORN PETTICOAT I BOUGHT IN MULLINGAR, THE. Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The tune is a different on than “Old Torn Petticoat” [3]. McNulty (Dance Music of Ireland), 1965; pg. 13.

 

OLD TOWLER. See "Old Jowler".

 

OLD TOWN BAND [1], THE. AKA and see "Spencer Wade's Tune". American, March (2/4 time). USA, southwestern Pa. D Major. Standard tuning. ABC (Bayard‑Hoge MS): AABB (Bayard‑Tustin). The title is a floating one, and the alternate is the name of an old Greene County, Pa. fifer, fiddler and singer "who either played the tune commonly, or liked it very much" (Bayard, 1981). The 'B' part is also the 'B' part of "No Mistake." Sources for notated versions: John Tustin (Greene County, Pa., 1944), Hoge MS (a fife MS. from southwestern Pa., 1944) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 145A‑B, pg. 80.

 

OLD TOWN BAND [2], THE. AKA and see "The Home Town Band," "The Centennial."

 

OLD TOWN REEL. AKA and see "Paddy on the Turnpike [2]," "Telephone Reel," "The Mills are Grinding [1]," "Bunch of Keys [1]," "Flowers of Limerick [1]." Appears in George H. Coe, pg. 4.

 

OLD TOWSER. AKA and see "Lexington," "Whiskey You're the Devil," "Off/Going to California [1]," "Fireman's Reel," "Gypsy Hornpipe [4]," "Buttermilk and Cider," "Whiskey in the Jar [1]," "Possum Up a Gum Stump(, Coonie in the Hollow) [1]." Old‑Time, Breakdown. A Major. Standard. AABB. A version of the "Going/Off to California" tune family. Most of the alternate titles are floaters.

***

Daddy had a bull‑dog, Towser was his name, sir.

He used to chase the bell‑cow, up and down the lane, sir.

He wasn't worth a cuss for to sick him on a hog, sir,

But whip his weight in wildcats could this old bulldog.  (Ford)

***

Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 108.

X:1

T:Old Towser

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Ford – Traditional Music in America (1940)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

E/G/A/c/ B/A/F/E/ | A/E/A/c/ fe | a/g/a/e/ f/e/c/B/ | A/c/B/A/ FE | E/G/A/c/ B/A/F/E/ |

A/E/A/c/ fe | a/g/a/e/ f/e/c/A/ | BA Az :: e/a/g/a/ f/e/c/e/ | a/g/a/e/ fe | e/a/g/a/ f/e/c/B/ |

A/c/B/A/ FE | E/G/A/c/ B/A/F/E/ | A/E/A/c/ fe | a/g/a/e/ f/e/c/A/ | BA Az :|

 

OLD TRUAGH (Sean Truag). Irish, Slow Air (3/4 time). E Minor. Standard tuning. One part (Heymann): AB (O’Neill): ABB’ (Bunting/1796). The tune was published by Edward Bunting in his Ancient Music of Ireland (1796 & 1809), collected from the County Leitrim harper Charles Byrne (1712-c, 1810), who had played it at the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival. As “Ye Trugh” it had previously been published by Neal in 1724, and Ann Haymann (1992) says it was quite popular, with many instrumental and vocal variants. Byrne was Bunting’s source for several Carolan tunes, and had a wealth of stories. Arthur O’Neill (1734-1818), a blind harper who also played at the Belfast Harp Festival and who was one of the last of the old itinerant harpers, mentions the tune in his memoirs. As a young man he toured Ireland several times and related meeting other famous harpers:

***

I met a Charles Byrne, who was taught by his uncle to be a harper. I may

be thought too severe when I made use of the word ‘tol-lol’ in my account

of the Irish harpers. Others may say the same of myself, but the fellow, not

being blind, had many advantages over those who had not that first of

gifts, sight, and as he had a tolerable memory he could recount all that

happened to  him during the time he led his blind uncle through the

Kingdom, and I must conclude my biography of him and set him down

a tol-lol (i.e. a so-so or mediocre player). I know myself, besifes what I

am creditably informed, that he could [play] and sing a good variety of

real Irish songs in a pleasing style with a pleasing voice.

***

Source for notated version: Chicago Police Sergeant James O’Neill, originally from County Down, Francis O’Neill’s collaborator [O’Neill]. Heymann (Legacy of the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival), 1992; pg. 7 (appears as “Old Trugh”). O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 123, pg. 22.

X:1

T:Old Truagh

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Slow”

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 123

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

Bd|e2 efgf|e2 d<B gf|e2 d<B AG|E4 EG|A2 AB de|G2 GB AG|E2 DE GA|G4||G>A|

B2 Bded|cB AG B>A|G2 FA GF|E4 GA|B2 Bdge|dB GA BG|E2 DE GA|G4||

                       

OLD TRUE LOVERS. Old-Time, Air. USA, West Virginia. D Major. DDad. In the repertoire of West Virginia fiddler Edden Hammons, who often played older airs in DDad tuning. Edden Hammons Collection, Disc 2. 

                       

OLD TRUNKE(S). See related tune called "Trunkles." English, Morris Dance Tune (4/4 time). G Major. Standard. AABBCC (Raven): AABBBCCC (x4) {Bacon, Mallinson}: AABBBCC (x4), AA. Collected from the village of Longborough, Gloucestershire, in England's Cotswolds. Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pg. 259. Mallinson (Mally’s Cotswold Morris Book), 1988; No. 31, pg. 21. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 81.

 

OLD TWENTY-TWO. American. Learned by the Volo Bogtrotters from Paul Tyler, who learned it from a tune book published in Fort Wayne, Indiana, around 1926.

 

OLD UNCLE NED. A Stephen Foster song that is sometime played on the fiddle as an instrumental.

 


OLD VEST AND CRAVAT, THE (An Sean Beist 'S An Carabat). AKA and see "John Doe," "Shanavest and Caravat/Corovoth [1]," "Wicked Yeoman." Irish, Hornpipe. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. See note for “Shavest and Caravat.” The vest and cravat were tokens of Irish faction fighters. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 197. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1698, pg. 316. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 896, pg. 154.

X:1

T:Old Vest and Cravat, The

L:1/8

M:C|

R:Hornpipe

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 896

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

FG|ABGA FGAB|cBcA d2 de|fedc AGFG|Adce d2 FG|

ABGA FGAB|cBcA d2 de|fedc AGEC|D2 DD D2:|

|:FG|Adde f2 ed|dcAG A2 AG|Adde f2 ed|dcec d2 de|

fdef defg|fdcA cdef|dfed cAGE|D2 DD D2:|

 

OLD VIOLE. AKA and see "Constitution Hornpipe [3]," "Farewell, Mary Ann." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Kentucky. The tune comes from Grant County, Kentucky, and was recorded by fiddler Frank Miller with the north-central Kentucky group the Blue Ridge Mountaineers in 1929 for Gennett Records. It was named after a man whose name was Viole Franks, a mail carrier in Grant County who played the tune but had no name for it. The tune was colleted in Anderson County, Kentucky, under the title "Constitution Hornpipe," and a close variant appeared in Mississippi as "Farewell Mary Ann." Gennett 6870 (78 RPM), Blue Ridge Mountaineers (1929). Morning Star 45005, Blue Ridge Mountaineers - "Way Down South in Dixie."

 

OLD VIRGINIA MARCH. Old‑Time, March. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. The march comes from Civil War fifer Isom Cockram (Patrick County, Va.) who began a family fife‑and‑drum band with his sons in the latter 18th century. His tunes have been in martial tradition in that county since that time. Rounder 0057, The New Ballard Fife and Drum Band ‑ "Old Originals, Vol. 1" (1978).

X:1

T:Old Virginia March

M:2/4

L:1/8

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

d/e/d/c/ B/A/G|d/e/d/c/ B2|d/e/d/c/ B/A/G/A/|BA/B/ A2|d/e/d/c/ B/A/G|

d/e/d/c/Bd|ed/c/ BA|G2||d/e/d/f/ gg|d/e/d/c/ B2|d/e/d/f/ ge|d4|d/e/d/f/ gg|

d/e/d/c/ Bd|ed/c/ BA|G2||

 

OLD VIRGINIA REEL [1]. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Texas. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Bayard (1981) notes that a tune called "Old Virginia" is a variant of "Roy's Wife of Aldivalloch" and "I'm Over/Owre Young to Marry Yet [1]," but neither this nor version #2 appears to be the tune he was referring to. Source for notated version: Thomas Michaels (Sweetwater, Texas) [Christeson]. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, Vol. 1), 1973; No. 84, pg. 61.

 

OLD VIRGINIA REEL [2]. AKA and see "Rustic Dance [2]," "Rustic Reel [1]," "Off She Goes [1]," "Off She Goes For Butter and Cheese." American, Jig. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Harding's All‑Round Collection, 1905; No. 191.

 

OLD VIRGINIA (REEL) [3]. AKA and see "Flowers of Edinburgh [1]." American (originally Scottish), Reel. E Flat Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The melody, a version of the well-known Scottish “Flowers of Edinburgh,” appears under this title in George P. Knauff's Virginia Reels, volume 2 (Baltimore, 1839).
X:1

T:Old Virginia (Reel) [3]

T:Flowers of Edinburgh

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

B:George P. Knauff – Virginia Reels, vol. II (Baltimore, 1839)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:Eb

e|(B/E/G/B/) (e/G/B/e/)|(g/e/g/b/) (a/g/f/e/)|(d/e/c/d/) (B/c/d/e/)|(f/g/f/e/) (c/d/e/c/)|(B/E/G/B/) (e/G/B/e/)|

(g/e/g/b/) (c’/d’/e’/c’)|(b/a/g/f/) {f}(e/d/e/f/)|g [Ge][Ge]::b|(e/d/e/f/) (e/g/f/e/)|(d/c/d/e/) fe/d/|

(c/B/c/d/) (e/d/c/B/)|(B/c/c/d/) ce/c/|(B/G/E/G/) (B/G/A/B/)|(c/B/c/d/) (e/d/e/c/)|(B/A/G/F/) {F}(E/D/E/F/)|g [Ge][Ge]:||

 

OLD VIRGINIA REEL [4]. Old-Time, Breakdown. A variant of “Polly Put the Kettle On [2].” Recorded by John Walker’s Corbin Rattlers. Rounder 0392, John Hartford - “Wild Hog in the Red Brush (and a Bunch of Others You Might Not Have Heard”) {1996. Learned from a recording of Amyx Stamper, Harold Stamper’s father}.

                       

OLD WAGON WAY. English, Reel. England, Northumberland. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Seattle (William Vickers), 1987, Part 2; No. 367.

                       


OLD WALLS OF LISCARROLL [1]. AKA and see “Belles of Liscarroll.” Irish, Jig. D Mixolydian ('A' part) & A Major ('B' part). Standard tuning. AABB. See also the related tune "Walls of Liscarroll." The tune is similar in part to “Tom Billy’s Jig.” Source for notated version: "In the year 1902 a thin oblong book of Mss. music came to hand from P. D. Reidy ‘Prof. of Dancing, London and Castleisland.’ Altho it included forty tunes from the repertory of five competent fiddlers, nearly all were variations of tunes already in our possession.  The above as played by Daniel J. Kelleher is one of the exceptions.  There can be little doubt that Mr. Reidy's title was well deserved, because his fame as a dancer and dancing master in early life in North Kerry was successfully maintained later in life in London, where he was esteemed as an authority on the subject. Frequent mention of his name appears in Irish Minstrels and Musicians” [O’Neill, Waifs and Strays]. O’Neill (Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody), 1922; No. 164. Green Linnet SIF3051, Frankie Gavin - “Frankie Goes to Town” (learned from Kerry fiddler Donal O’Connor; also recorded in 1982 by Kerry musicians Julia and Billy Clifford).

X:1

T:Old Walls of Liscarroll [1]

M:6/8

L:1/8

Q:120

C:Trad. arr. F. Gavin

S:cd: Frankie Gavin, "Frankie Goes to Town"

R:jig

Z:transcribed by Jeffrey Erickson

K:DMaj

D2 E2 |: EFF DGG | DFF E2D |DEF GFG | AFD D2E

| ~F3 GFG | AGA fed | e=cA GFE |1 FD^C D2E :|2 FD^C DAB

|: ~=c3 ~d3 | e=cA AGE | ~=c3 dcA | AGF GAB

| ~=c3 ~d3 | efd eag | ed=c ABc |1 BA^G A2 A/2B/2 :|2 BA^G ABc |

|:~d3 AFA | GAG FED | ~d3 AD/2F/2A | GFE DFA

| ~d3 AFA | DFA fed | e=cA GFE | FDC DFA :|

|: dFF AFF | dFF AFA | FGE =cEE | GFE GFE

| d2 F AFA | DFA fed | e=cA GFE | FDC D3 :|

X:2

T:Old Walls of Liscarroll, The [1]

M:6/8

L:1/8

S:Prof. P.D. Reidy manuscript

Z:Paul Kinder

K:D

A|DFF DGG|EFF DEE|DFF GEA|FDD D2 E|

DFF GFG|A/2B/2cA fed|ecA GFE|FDD D2:|

|:A|cBc dfd|ecA AGE|cBc dcA|AGE GAB|

cBc dcd|efg fed|ecA GFE|FDD D2:|

|:A|dcd AGF|EDE GFE|dcd AFA|GFE D2 A|

dcd AGF|E/2F/2GE fed|ecA GFE|FDD D2:|

|:A|dFF AFF|dFF AGF|GEE cEE|GBA GFE|

dFF AFF|A/2B/2de fed|ecA GFE|FDD D2:||

 

OLD WALLS OF LISCARROLL [2]. Irish, Jig. A Minor (‘A’ part) & A Major (‘B’ part). Standard tuning. AABB. A variant of “Old Walls… [1].” Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 54. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 83.

X:1

T:Old Walls of Liscarroll [2]

L:1/8

M:6/8

K:D

(A/B/)|=cBc dcd|e=cB AGE|=cBd cBA|GE=F GAB|=cBc dcd|

e=cB Ace|e=cA AGE|EAA A2:|

K:A

|:e|aga Ace|agf edc|dcd EGB|Acf efg|aga Ace|agf edc|dcd EGB|Ace a2:|

                       

OLD WARSAW POLKA. American, Polka. C Major ('A' part) & G Major ('B' part). Standard tuning. AABB. Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 169.

 

OLD WAY’S BEST.  English, Country Dance Tune (cut time). G Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. The melody appears in Walsh’s Third Book of the Compleat Country Dancing Master (London, 1735) and in Walsh’s Compleat Country Dancing Master, Volume the Third (London, c. 1749), as well as Daniel Wright’s Compleat Collection of Celebrated Country Dances (printed by Johnson, London, 1740). Barnes (English Country Dance Tunes, vol. 2), 2005; pg. 45 (appears as “Founder’s Day”, the name of a dance by Kathryn & David Wright set to the tune).

                       

OLD WAY(S) OF KILLIECRANKIE, THE. Scottish. Dance directions to this tune were recovered from the Holmain Manuscript (c. 1710‑50) from Dumphries‑shire.

                       

OLD WEARY BLUES. American, Rag or Blues. A New Orleans jazz standard seldom recorded by string bands, though Jess Young's band (Chattanooga, Tenn.) recorded it for Columbia in 1929. Folkways RBF 18, Jess Young ‑ "Ragtime: The Country."

                       


OLD WHEELS OF THE WORLD, THE. AKA and see “Rolling Down the Hill [2].” Irish, Reel. Standard tuning. A Dorian. AB. No relation to “Wheels of the World [1]." O’Neill prints the tune as “Rolling Down the Hill.” Source for notated version: piper Willie Clancy (1918-1973, Miltown Malbay, west Clare) [Mitchell]. Mitchell (Dance Music of Willie Clancy), 1993; No. 56, pg. 62. Bellbridge Records, Bobby Casey – “Casey in the Cowhouse” (1992. Originally recorded 1959). 

X: 1

T:Old Wheels of the World, The

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

K:Am

g^f|e~A3 e~A3|GEDE G3G|A2AB cBcd|e^fge dgfg|!

e~A3 e~A3|GEDE G3G|A2AB cBcd|e^fge dcBc||!

d~g3 d~g3|e~a3 e~a3|d~g3 ge^fg|a^fge dcBc|!

d~g3 d~g3|e~a3 e~a3|d~g3 ge^fg|a^fge d3z||

 

OLD WHITE COCKADE, THE. Irish, Air (2/4 time). C Major. Standard tuning. AB. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 192, pg. 115.

 

OLD WIFE BEHIND THE HAYSTACK, THE. English, Reel. England, Northumberland. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Hall & Stafford (Charlton Memorial Tune Book), 1974; pg. 15. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 186.

X:1

T:Old Wife Behind the Haystack, The

L:1/8

M:C|

K:D

Aage fdce|fdgf e2 d/c/B|Aagf fdce|fdge d2D2:|

|:FADA FADg|fdgf e2E2|FADA FADg|fd e/d/c d2D2:|

           

OLD WIFE BEYOND THE FIRE, THE. See "Auld Wife Ayond/Ahunt the Fire."

           

OLD WIFE OF COVERDALE.  AKA – “T’Auld Wife of Coverdill,” “T’owd Wife of Coverdale.” English, Jig (9.8 time). A Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Researcher and collector Maud Karpeles (1885-1976) recorded (in notes to Cecil Sharp, 1926) that the tune was played by an Arkengarthdale, North Yorkshire, fiddler named Christopher Reine, and transcribed from his playing by the Rev. John Tinkler in the 1870’s. Barry Callaghan (2007) notes that the slip jig appears in Sharp’s published collection of sword dances (The Sword Dances of Northern England, vol. III, London, 1913) as an alternate tune for the Ampleforth sword dance. It is now the tune most associated with the dance. “The Old Wife of Coverdale” is the name of a rather grim Child Ballad (No. 79) that begins:

***

There lived an old wife in Coverdale,

Merrily turns the wheel;

There lived and old wife in Coverdale,

Children she had three;

She sent them away to the Northern lands,

She sent them away to learn their grammerie.

***

Callaghan (Hardcore English), 2007; pg. 82. CD Baby, Horseplay – “Roughshod.” (2006).OSMO CE 001, Blowzabella – “Blowzabella Compilation” (1995). OSMO CD 005, Blowzabella – “Wall of Sound” (1996. A re-release of the 1986 album).

 

OLD WIFE ON THE HAY MOW, THE. English, Jig. England, Northumberland. G Minor. Standard tuning. AABBCCDD. Hall & Stafford (Charlton Memorial Tune Book), 1974; pg. 56. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 112.

X:1

T:Old Wife on the Hay Mow, The

L:1/8

M:6/8

K:Gmin

F/G/A|BcB Bcd|cB/A/G FGA|B2G GBG|AFD D2F/A/|

BcB B2d|cB/A/G FGA|BAG AG^F|G3 G:|

|:c|fgf f2d|c/B/AG F2A|Ggg gag|gfd d2=e|fgf f2d|

c/B/AG FGA|BAG AG^F|G3G3:|

|:A|BGA Bcd|AFA ABc|BGA Bcd|AFD D2d|dBd d=ef|

AFG ABc|BAG AG^F|G3 G2:|

|:f|fcf fcf|c/B/AG F2g|gdg gdg|gfd d2f|fdf fdf|

c/B/AG FGA|BAG AG^F|G3G2:|

           

OLD WIFE UPON THE MIDDEN. English. England, Northumberland. One of the "missing tunes" from William Vickers' 1770 Northumbrian dance music manuscript.

           

OLD WILD IRISHMAN, THE. AKA and see “Flowing Bowl [1],” “Wild Irishman [2]." Irish, Reel. Ireland, County Sligo. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. Source for notated version: tin whistle player Jimmy McGettrick (b. 1909, Aughris, Rathmullen, Ballymote, County Sligo) [Flaherty]. Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1990; pg. 137.

                       

OLD WILEY. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, West Virginia. A modal (Am). ADae tuning. ABAB'. Doc White, who describes the tune as a "Civil War tune" (Clay County, West Virginia; Krassen). Krassen (Masters of Old Time Fiddling), 1983; pg. 72‑73.

                       

OLD WILKINSBURG MARCH. AKA and see "Old Greene County," "Kramar," "Bittner," "Twelfth Virginia," "Mount Pleasant," "Old Number Two." American, March (2/4 time). USA, southwestern Pa. D Major. Standard tuning. ABC. The title for this fife march, which Bayard has not heard outside of Pennsylvania, comes from the Wilkinsburg Band (martial). Source for notated version: Hiram Horner (fifer from Westmoreland and Fayette Counties, Pa., 1960) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 387F, pg. 370.

                       

OLD WILLIE HUNTER. Shetlands. Composed by Shetlander Ronny Cooper (d. 1982), and picked up by Scottish dance bands and popularized with fiddlers in Britain. Willie Hunter was a famous Shetland fiddler and composer

                       

OLD WOODEN BUCKET. Old‑Time. The title appears in a list of traditional Ozark Mountain fiddle tunes compiled by musicologist/folklorist Vance Randolph, published in 1954.

                                   

OLD WOMAN, THE.  See “Old Woman’s Hornpipe” et al.

 

OLD WOMAN AT THE WELL. Old‑Time, Quadrille (Jig). USA. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, vol. 2), 1984; pg. 99.


           

OLD WOMAN CLOTHED IN GRAY. See “An old woman clothed in gray.”

                       

OLD WOMAN IN THE GLEN [1]. AKA and see "Barbara Allan [1]." Scottish. The tune appears under this title in the McFarlane MS. of 1740 and the McLean Collection published by James Johnson in Edinburgh in 1772.

 

OLD WOMAN IN THE GLEN [2], THE. Irish, Reel. Composed by flute player Vincent Broderick, originally from Bullaun, north of Loughrea, County Galway. The title refers to a incident over half a century ago when Broderick was out with friends on a Christmas mumming trip. They were returning from a tour of the countryside when they noticed a light in a small cottage across a field, and decided to make one last visit thinking that some person might still be awaiting visitors, as was the custom.  They were greeted by a barking dog and an old woman at a half-door who told them she had been waiting since day-break for visitors, but no one had been to see her.  She invited the party in to Christmas dinner, an invitation they took up, during which Broderick noticed the numerous pictures of family on her walls, all of whom had emigrated to America.  She was the last and alone.  Soon after this the newspaper reported she had been found dead, and Broderick wondered if they were the last to see her alive (Vallely & Piggot, Blooming Meadows, 1998).

           

OLD WOMAN LAMENTING HER PURSE, THE (An Sean Bean Ag Caoinead A Sporan). AKA and see “Old Woman’s Money [1].” Irish, Air (6/8 time, "with feeling"). G Major (Roche): F Major (O'Neill, Stanford/Petrie). Standard tuning. AB (Stanford/Petrie): AABB (O’Neill, Roche). See also “Rocking the Cradle” and “Rocking a Baby That’s None of My Own” for similar song laments. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 560, pg. 98. O’Neill (1913), pg. 118.  Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 1; No. 78, pg. 36. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; No. 620, pg. 156.

X:1

T:Old Woman Lameting Her Purse, The

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”With feeling”

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 560

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:F

A|AGG GBA|GFF F2A|AGG GAc|ded dcA|AGG GBA|GFF F2D|CFF FGA|ced dcA:|

|:cde f2 e/f/|gag f2d|cde f2 g/b/|a/g/fe d2 f/g/|aaa gfe|fdd dcA|AGG GAc|d>ed dcA:|

           

OLD WOMAN, OLD WOMAN. AKA and see "Waves on the Ocean," "Pleasures of the Single Life."

           

OLD WOMAN OF THE CARDS. AKA and see “Seanbhean na gCartai.”

           

OLD WOMAN TOSSED UP (IN A BASKET/BLANKET) [1]. English, Morris Dance Tune (6/8 time). England: Dorset, Gloucestershire. D Major (Raven): F Major (Bacon‑Bidford, Carlin): G Major (Bacon): G Mixolydian (Bacon): B Flat Major (Bacon‑Bidford). Standard tuning. AAB (Bacon, Carlin): AABA (Bacon‑Bidford): AABB (Raven): AABCBCBC (Bacon‑Headington). The title "The Old Woman Tossed Up In a Blanket" is taken from the nursery rhyme (which is perhaps a nonsense song remnant),

***

There was an old woman tossed up in a basket

Seventy times as high as the moon.

***

The four versions given are all variants of one another. The tune was one of the most popular among Cotswold morris dancers, with similar versions collected from the villages of Bidford (Warwickshire), Bledington (Gloucestershire), Longborough (Gloucestershire), Kirtlington (Oxfordshire), Headington (Oxfordshire) and Ilmington (Warwickshire), England. The tune and its variants have gone by other names over the past two hunderd and fifty years, including "The Kerry Dance," "St. Patrick's Day (in the Morning)," "Patrick's Day," "Love in a Village," and "The Charms of Melody." Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pgs. 78, 194, 216, 227, 251 & 248. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 49, pg. 38. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 84. Trim (Thomas Hardy), 1990; No. 12 (appears as "The Old Woman Tost in the Blanket"). Carthage CGLP 4406, Hutchings et al - "Morris On" (1983/1972).

 

OLD WOMAN TOSSED UP [2]. English, Morris Dance Tune (6/8 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC (Raven): AABBBCCCBBB, x4 (Bacon, Mallinson). Collected from the village of Fieldtown (Leafield), Oxfordshire, in England's Cotswolds. Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pg. 159. Mallinson (Mally’s Cotswold Morris Book), 1988; No. 42, pg. 27. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 84.

 


OLD WOMAN TOSSED UP [3]. English, Morris Dance Tune (6/8 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AB (x4), A. A variants of version #2, collected from the village of Whitfield, near Brackley, Northamptonshire, in England's Cotswolds. Bacon, 1974; pg. 107. Mallinson (Mally’s Cotswold Morris Book), 1988, Vol. 2; No. 12, pg. 7. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 84.

 

OLD WOMAN TOSSED UP IN A BLANKET [4], THE (An Swanbean Caitgte Suas Annsa Suisin). Irish, Jig. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Related to the morris dance tunes of the same name. See also the related “Painneach na nUbh [1] (Basket of Eggs)” family of tunes. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 22. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 771, pg. 144. Culburnie COL 102, Alasdair Fraser & Jody Stecher – “The Driven Bow” (1988).

X:1

T:Old Woman Tossed Up in a Blanket [4]

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 771

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

E | AcB Bce | fec {c}B2A | AcB c2B | cAF ~F2E | AcB Bce | fec {c}B2A | AcB c2B | cAA A2 :|

|: (e/f/) | gec cBc | AFF F2 (f/g/) | afd dec | BGG G2G | Gcc cBA | G>AG GEF | Gcc Bdf | ecc c2 :|

                          

OLD WOMAN WHITHER SO HIGH. AKA and see "Lillibulero," "Irlandais (Jig)." Printed under this title in Playford's Musick's Hand‑Maid of 1689.

           

OLD WOMAN WHO CARRIED A BROOM. English, Morris Dance Tune (6/8 time). A Major. Standard tuning. AB (x4), A. Collected from the village of Steeple Claydon near Brackley, Northamptonshire, in England's Cotswolds. Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pg. 107.

           

OLD WOMAN'S CONSORT, THE. AKA and see "The Swaggering Jig [1]," "The Silly Old Man [1]," "Girls take care how you marry," “Give Us a Drink of Water [2],” "Taim in Arreir dTigh an Oil," "Taim in Arrears," "Welcome the Piper," "An Seanduine Coileailte," "Just at/in the height of her bloom," "Tiggit along the Room." Breathnach (1985) found the title in a manuscript from the Ballydesmond area, County Cork.

                       

OLD WOMAN'S HORNPIPE, THE. AKA and see "The Poor Ould Woman [1]," "Jerry Daly's Hornpipe [1]," "The Poor Woman." Irish, Hornpipe. D Dorian. Standard tuning. AB. Source for notated version: Patrick MacDowell, "the distinguished sculptor: born in Belfast 1799: died in 1870" (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 524, pg. 283 (see also his No. 244).

           

OLD WOMAN'S MONEY [1] (Airgead Caillighe). AKA and see “The Old Woman Lamenting Her Purse.” Irish, Air (6/8 time). G Major/G Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AABBCC. The earliest appearance of the tune in print is in Church of Ireland cleric James Goodman’s mid-19th century music manuscripts. Goodman (1828-1896) was an uilleann piper, and an Irish speaker who collected locally in County Cork and elsewhere in Munster. He also obtained tunes from manuscripts and printed collections. The melody seems related to the large “Gold Ring [1]” family of tunes. Source for notated version: James Buckley, a Limerick piper, about 1852 (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 145, pgs. 73‑74. Shields/Goodman (Tunes of the Munster Pipers), 1998; No. 391, pg. 154 (appears as “Airgiod Caillighe”).

X:1

T:Old Woman’s Money, The

M:6/8

L:1/8
R:Air

S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs  (1909)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

GGG G2B|AFD DEF|GGG G2B|A2d cAF|GGG G2B|

AFD D2E|=F>GF/E/ F2G|A2d cAG::cAG G2A|cAG G2A|

cAG GFG|A2d cAG|cAG G2A|cAG G2A|~^F3 F2G|

A2 d cAG::=F>GA/c/ f3|g=fe f3|=F>GA/c/ f3|g3 g=fg|

ag=f gfe|=fed d/e/fd|cAG =F2G|A2d cAG:|

X:2

T:Airgiod Caillighe

T:An old woman’s money

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:James Goodman manuscripts (mid-19th century)

B:Hugh Shields – Tunes of the Munster Pipers, No. 391 (1998)

K:G

DGG G2A|DFF F2A|DGG G2c|BdB cAG|DGG G2A|

DFF F2d|cAG FGA|1 c3 cAG:|2 c3 cAd||:cAG G2d|

cAG G2d|cAG G2c|BdB cAd|cAG G2d|cAG G2d|

cAG FGA|c3 cAG::ABc/d/ f2g|gbg g3|ABc/d/ f3|g3 g3|

abg fag|fdd f2g|cAG FGA|c3 cAG::G2A B2G|A2F DED|

GAG G2c|BdB cAG|G2A B2G|A2F DED|F3 FGA|c3 cAG:|

 

OLD WOMEN’S MONEY [2]. AKA – “The Old Woman’s Purse of Money.” AKA and see “The Merry Old Woman [2].” Irish, Jig. D Major/Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AB (Stanford/Petrie): AABB (O’Farrell). The tune is in D major until the last two bars of each part, which is a cadence that resolves to G major. Kennedy (Traditional Dance Music of Britain and Ireland: Jigs & Quicksteps, Trips & Humours), 1997; No. 140a, pg. 34 (appears as “The Old Woman’s Purse of Money No. 1”). O’Farrell (Pocket Companion, vol. II), c. 1806; pg. 101. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; No. 355, pg. 90.

X:1

T:Old Women’s Money [2]

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:Stanford/Petrie (1905) No. 355.

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

d2d dfd | cBc ABc | d2d def | g3 gfe | d2d dfd | cBc A2 B/c/ |

dBG =cAF | G3 GFE || DED D2F | EFE E2F | DED D2F | G3 GFE |

DED D2F | EFE E2F | DBG =cAF | G3 GFE ||

 

OLD WOMAN'S MONEY [3] (Airgiod Caillighe). Irish, Jig. D Mixolydian (‘A’ part) & G Major (‘B’ part). Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: a manuscript collection dated 1861 compiled by Anglican cleric and piper James Goodman, who collected primarily in County Cork [Shields]. Shields (Tunes of the Munster Pipers), 1998; No. 38, pg. 18.

X:1

T:Old Woman’s Money [3]

M:6/8

L:1/8

K:G

d|cAG A2G|F2D DDD|GAG GAB|ded cAd|…

                       

OLD WOMAN'S PURSE OF MONEY, THE (Sparan Airgid na Cailli). AKA and see “The Hag’s Purse.” See also “Old Woman’s Money” and “The Old Woman Lamenting Her Purse.”

           

OLD WOMAN’S PURSE OF MONEY [2], THE. AKA and see “Bill the Weaver,” “The Humours of Glenflesk,” “The Lonesome Jig [1].”  Irish, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Close to Joyce’s “Humours of Glenflesk.” A strain of the tune appears in “The Lonesome Jig [1],” which Sliabh Luachra button accordion player Johnny O’Leary recorded as “Bill the Weaver’s.” Kennedy (Traditional Dance Music of Britain and Ireland: Jigs & Quicksteps, Trips & Humours), 1997; No. 140b, pg. 34.

                       


OLD WOMAN’S SONG, THE. AKA and see “Light and Airy [1]." Scottish.

           

OLD WOOD COTTAGE. Scottish. Composed by fiddler Hector MacAndrew (1903-1980), named for the cottage the family lived in on the estate of Sir Andrew Forbes Leith, laird of Fyvie, to whom MacAndrew’s father was gardener and piper.

           

OLD WORRIED BLUES. Old‑Time, Blues. Recorded by Chatanooga, Tenn., fiddler Jess Young for Columbia in the late 1920's.

           

OLD YALLER HOUN'. Old‑Time, Breakdown. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The first part of this tune appears to be shared with "Always Welcome" and Bayard's "Darkey's Dream."

***

Old yaller houn's barkin' treed, up the holler,

It's old mister 'possum, I'll bet half a dollar.

Fetch on the ax, boys, we'll see pretty soon,

He's worth half a dollar if it's old zipp coon. (Ford)

***

Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 61.

           

OLD YELLER DOG (COME TROTTIN’ THROUGH THE MEETING HOUSE). AKA and see "Old Grey Mare," "Old Blind Dog." Old-Time, Breakdown. G Major (usually): F Major. Standard or FCFC (Rayna Gellert). AABB. Rayna Gellert plays this tune in F, cross-tuned, although she notes that it is normally played in standard tuning in the key of G. See also Earl Johnson’s “Old Grey Mare Kicking Out of the Wilderness.” Source Charlie Acuff had the tune from his grandfather, also named Charlie Acuff. Apparently, people allowing their dogs to accompany them in places of worship in the South was not uncommon at one time. Source for notated version: Charlie Acuff [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, Vol. 1), 1994; pg. 176. 

                       

OLD YET NEW. Irish, Quadrille. Five parts:

1) G Major. 6/8 time. AB, Trio.

2) D Major. 2/4 time. ABCBC.

3) D Major. 6/8 time. AB, Trio.

4) D Major ('A' and 'B' parts) & G Major ('C' part). 'A' and 'B' parts in 2/4 time, 'C' part in 6/8 time. 2/4 time. ABCBC.

5) G Major ('A' and 'B' parts) & D Major ('C' part). 'A' part in 2/4 time, 'B' and 'C' parts in 6/8 time. ABCBC.

Roche Collection, 1982, Vol. 3; No. 195, pg. 71‑72.

 


OLD ZIP COON. AKA and see "Turkey in the Straw," "Natchez Under the Hill [1]," "The Old Bog Hole." American; Minstrel Tune, Breakdown, Reel. USA, Widely Known. G Major: A Major (White): D Major (Phillips): C Major (Howe). Standard. One part: AAB (Howe): AABB (Phillips, White). The title of this popular tune comes from lyrics of a widely known minstrel song of the 1800's. In the early history of blackface minstrels, Colonel T. Allston Brown stated, "the tune of 'Zip Coon' was taken from a rough jig dance called 'Natchez Under the Hill,' [named for a saloon town on the river below Natchez, Mississippi] where the boatmen, river pirates, gamblers and courtesans congregated for the enjoyment of a regular hoe-down, in the old time." Mark Wilson says that "Old Zip Coon" was mentioned in chronicles before 1830, and indeed, it appeared in five publications accredited to different composers before 1834 (Bronner, 1987) {The titles "Natchez Under the Hill" and "Old Zip Coon" for the melody seem to have appeared almost simultaneously, for the former appears in George P. Knauff's 1839 Virginia Reels, volume I, while the latter appeared in 1834}. The melody is variously thought to have derived from the ballad tune "My Grandmother Lived On Yonder Little Green," according to Linscott (1939), while Bayard (1981) sees the tune as a composite of two Scots tunes, "The Rose Tree (or "Maureen ni Cullenaun") and "The (Bonny) Black Eagle"‑‑the 'A' and 'B' parts respectively of "Old Zip Coon." Jabbour concurs, at least with "The Rose Tree" being the origin of this family of American tunes. Mark Wilson is not sure of this connection, however, arguing it is not the similarity of notes but rather “tune personality” that represents a better etiology, and by this criteria he is doubtful “Rose Tree” was an ancestor as its character in traditional performance is so different (see liner notes to Rounder 0529). The “Turkey in the Straw” title for the melody does not seem to have surfaced before the 1880’s.

***

The term ‘coon’ nowadays has racist associations, but it does not appear that such was implied at the time the tune (and title) was composed. Lexicographer Stewart Flexner (1976) says: "Coon was originally a short form for raccoon in 1741... then by 1832 meant a frontier rustic, and by 1840 a Whig. The 1834 song "Zip Coon" (better known today as "Turkey in the Straw") didn’t refer specifically to either a White or a Black and the "coon songs" of the 1840s and '50s were Whig political songs. By 1862, however, coon had come to mean a Black and this use [became] very common [during the 1890s]." Despite this statement, the sheet music of 1834 clearly depicts a comic dandified African-American character. Mark Wilson finds “Old Zip Coon” was popularized on the minstrel stage by Bob Farrell and G.W. Dixon in the early 1830’s. A playbill of the Cincinnati Circus, dated April 23, 1841, mentions that “Mr. Brower, the celebrated negro Dancer and Singer will sing and dance ‘Jim Along Josey’” and the “Negro Extravaganza—Zip Coon” (Hans Nathan, Dan Emmett and Negro Minstrelsy, 1962, pg. 111). ‘Mr. Brower’ was a black-face performer named Frank Brower (1823-1874), who was soon to team with Dan Emmett to form the first and one of the most famous minstrel troupes, the Virginia Minstrels, and who introduced ‘bone playing’ before an audience.

***

There is a contra dance of the same name from New England which Linscott and Burchenal both print. The tune was in the repertoire of Maine fiddler Mellie Dunham. The elderly Dunham was Henry Ford's champion fiddler in the late 1920's. It was recorded by Ozark (Arkansas) fiddler Lon Jordon. In the repertoire of Tennessee fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson (1848‑1931), one of the first old-time musicians to broadcast over WSM in Nashville, and Opry star Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith played a modernized version in the 1930’s he called “Straw Breakdown.” It was a tune in the repertoire of fiddler and Confederate veteran Arnold A. Parrish (Willow Springs, Wake County, N.C.), as recorded by the old Raleigh News and Observer. Parrish was a contestant at fiddler’s conventions held in Raleigh prior to World War I.

***

Lyrics published in 1834 begin:

***

O ole Zip Coon he is a larned skoler,
O ole Zip Coon he is a larned skoler,
O ole Zip Coon he is a larned skoler,
Sings posum up a gum tree an coony in a holler,
possum up a gum tree, coony on a stump,
possum up a gum tree, coony on a stump,
possum up a gum tree, coony on a stump,
Den over dubble trubble, Zip Coon will jump.
***
O zip a duden duden duden zip a duden day.
O Zip a duden duden duden zip a duden day.
O Zip a duden duden duden zip a duden day.
Zip a duden duden duden zip a duden day.

***

Sources for notated versions: Willie Woodward (Bristol, N.H.) [Linscott]; W. Franklin George (W.Va.) [Phillips]. Burchenal, 1918; pg. 20. Howe (Complete Preceptor for the Accordeon), 1843; pg. 12. Linscott (Folk Songs of Old New England), 1939; pg. 102‑103. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, vol. 1), 1994; pg. 176. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 48. White’s Unique Collection, 1896; No. 173, pg. 32. Edison 50653 (78 RPM), Joseph Samuels, 1919 (appears as last tune of "Devil's Dream Medley"). Gennett 6495 (78 RPM), Doc Roberts (Ky.). Recorded Anthology of American Music, 1978 ‑ "Traditional Southern Instrumental Styles." Rounder 18964-1518-2, Various Artists – “American Fiddle Tunes” (a reissue of the 1971 Library of Congress LP of field recordings). Rounder 0529, Dwight Lamb – “Hell Agin’ the Barn Door” (2005).

X:1

T:Old Zip Coon

M:2/4

L:1/8

S:Howe – Complete Preceptor for the Accordeon (1843)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C

(e/d/) | c/B/c/d/ c (E/F/) | G/A/G/E/ G c/d/ | ee e/d/c/d/ | (edd) e/d/ |

c/B/c/d/ c (E/F/) | G/A/G/E/ G (c/d/) | e/d/e/f/ g/e/c/e/ | ecc :|

(c/d/) | e/f/g/a/ g (g/f/) | e/f/g/a/ g (g/e/) | faa (a/g/) | faa (a/g/) |

c’c’/a/ a/g/e/g/ | e/f/e/c/ d (c/d/) | ee/c/ d/c/A/c/ | Gcc ||

                                               

OLDE TYME QUADRILLE. American, Quadrille (4/4 time). D Major 'A' part) & B Minor ('B' part). Standard tuning. AB. Composed by New Hampshire contra dance pianist and accordion player Bob McQuillen, 1975.

                       

OLDHAM RANT. AKA and see “Trip to Birey.” English, Rant or Reel. England; North‑West. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The melody is used for a polka step dance in the North‑West (England) morris tradition. The 'B' part is similar to "Shepherd's Hey." The tune is contained in the 19th century Joseph Kershaw Manuscript. Kershaw was a fiddle player who lived in the remote area of Slackcote, Saddleworth, North West England, who compiled his manuscript from 1820 onwards, according to Jamie Knowles. Oldham is a town seven miles northeast of Manchester, England, now absorbed by the urban sprawl of the city. It is a manufacturing center and lies in a coal-mining region. The Joseph Kershaw Manuscript, 1993; No. 46. Knowles (Northern Frisk), 1988; No. 105. Wade (Mally’s North West Morris Book), 1988; pg. 26. EFDSS CD13, Nic and Mary Barber – “Hardcore English” (2007. Various artists).

                       

OLDHAM SPORTSMAN, THE. AKA and see “Sportsman’s Hornpipe.” English, Reel.

                       

OLDHAM'S QUICK STEP. English, March or Country Dance Tune (2/4 time). England, Shropshire. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: a c. 1837-1840 MS by Shropshire muscian John Moore [Ashman]. Ashman (The Ironbridge Hornpipe), 1991; No. 104, pg. 42.

                       

OLE BULL. Old‑Time, Breakdown. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 87.

                       

OLE BULL HORNPIPE. American, Hornpipe. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The tune is named for the Norwegian violinist Ole Bornemann Bull (1810‑1880). After a precocious start Bull, inspired by Pagannini, debuted in Paris in 1832, but did not receive critical acclaim on the European concert stage due to his rather amateurish technique. What he lacked in formal training, however, he made up for in his confidence and ability to self-promote, and managed to perfect a style that was pleasing to the public; he therefore had a prosperous career playing for audiences in areas which rarely heard real artists. He performed in the United States in 1843 and returned four more times to North America to concertize, playing mainly his own compositions and Norwegian folk music. There exists a large bronze statue of Ole Bull playing his fiddle in Loring Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, showing the influence not only of Bull but of thousands of Scandinavian immigrants to the region. In 1852 he attempted to found a Norwegian settlement in Pennsylvania along socialist lines, called Oleana; it was a disaster.

***

Ole Bull (1810-1880)

***

Elias Howe (c. 1867) prints contra-dance directions along with the tune. Source for notated version: James Bryan (Georgia) [Phillips]. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 89. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), Vol. 2, 1995; pg. 212. White’s Unique Collection, 1896; No. 133, pg. 24. Rounder 0175, James Bryan ‑ "Lookout Blues" (1983).

X:1

T:Ole Bull Hornpipe

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:White’s Unique Collection (1896), No. 133, pg. 24

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:F

(A/B/) | cA Af | g/f/e/f/ c>A | B/c/d/c/ B/A/G/F/ | E/F/G/A/ c/B/A/B/ | cA Af |

f/g/a/f/ c>A | B/c/d/B/ A/G/F/E/ | F[FA][A,F] :: (E/F/) | G(G/E/) C/E/G/B/ |

(B/A/)(d/c/) c>A | B/c/d/c/ B/A/G/F/ | E/F/G/A/ G(E/F/) | G(G/E/) C/E/G/B/ |

(B/A/)(d/c/) c>A | (B/c/)(d/b/) (a/g/).f/.e/ | fa[Af] :|

                                   

OLE TIME SORGHUM MILL. Old‑Time. The tune was listed in a 1925 master's thesis by S.M. Taylor of the University of Alabama, "A Preliminary Survey of Folk‑Lore in Alabama."

                       


O’LEARY’S IRELAND. Irish, Reel. C Major. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Composed by County Cavan/Philadelphia fiddler Ed Reavy (1898-1988). The title refers to a character named John O’Leary in Yeats poem “September 1913.” O’Leary has passed away, and the poet mourns not only for him but for all that he stood for:

***

Romantic Ireland’s dead and gone,

It’s with O’Leary in the grave.

***

Reavy (The Collected Compositions of Ed Reavy), No. 18, pg. 19.

X:1

T:O'Leary's Ireland

M:2/2

L:1/8

C:Ed Reavy

R:Reel

N:Yeats wrote about John O'Leary in his poem,

N:"September 1913." At that time, Ed had just left Ireland, because

N:his parents saw no future in the farm and no real opportunities there

N:for their six children. The poet mourns the passing of O'Leary in the

N:1913 poem and the passing, too, of all the things O'Leary stood for:

N:"Romantic Ireland's dead and gone, It's with O'Leary in the grave."

N:Ed believed in O'Leary-and in Emmet and Tone. This reel celebrates

N:their Ireland: O'Leary's Ireland.

Z:Joe Reavy

K:C

GF | EGcG EDEF | GAGE FDDE | FAdA FAde | fedc BGFD | EGcG EGcd |

edcB dcBA | GABc defg |1afdB c2 GF:|2 afdB cde^f || g2 ec gcec | gcec g2 ^fe |

de^fg add^c | de^fg adfd | =cde^f gccB | cde^f g2 fe |1 de^fg afdc | BGAB cde^f :|2

de^fg afdB | cedB cBAG ||

                       

l’OLIMPE.  French, Country Dance (6/8 time). G Major. Standard. AABBCCDD. From the contradance book (tunes with dance instructions) of Robert Daubat (who styled himself Robert d’Aubat de Saint-Flour), born in Saint-Flour, Cantal, France, in 1714, dying in Gent, Belgium, in 1782. According to Belgian fiddler Luc De Cat, at the time of the publication of his collection (1757) Daubat was a dancing master in Gent and taught at several schools and theaters.  He also was the leader of a choir and was a violin player in a theater. Mr. De Cat identifies a list of subscribers of the original publication, numbering 132 individuals, of the higher level of society and the nobility, but also including musicians and dance-masters (including the ballet-master from the Italian opera in London). Many of the tunes are written with parts for various instruments, and include a numbered bass. Daubat (Cent Contredanses en Rond), 1757; No. 51.

X:1

T:l’Olimpe

M:6/8

L:1/8

S:Daubat – Cent Contredanses en Rond (1757), No. 51

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

d | BGD D2d | BGD D2d | (BGB) ADd | (BGB) ADd | BGD D2d BGD (F/G/)AF |

G/G/G G2 :: d | dcd B2d | bab b2c | c_Bc A2c | {b}aga a2_B | BAB G2B |

(gfg) g2A | AGA F2D | (fef) f2g | (dBG) G2d | BGD D2d | BGD (F/G/)AF |

G/G/G G2 :: B | BGE E2B | e^de e2B | BGE E2B | gfg g2B | cBe AGB |

cBe AGB | BGE (F/G/)AF | EEE E2 :: G | GEC CG,G | GDB, B,G,G |

GEC CG,G | GDB, B,G,d | (BGB) ADd | BGB ADd | BGD (F/G/)AF | GG,G, G,2 :|

                       

OLIVE BRANCH HORNPIPE. AKA and see Humphrey’s Hornpipe [2],”Humphrey’s Reel,” "The Reconciliation." American, Hornpipe. A Major. Standard. AABB. John Hartford finds that the melody "hints at" the Cole's "Peter Street [1]," and the 'B' part suggests O'Neill's "Flower of the Flock." The title “Olive Branch” in Ryan’s Mammoth (1883) perhaps has to do with the aftermath of the American Civil War, which ended in 1865. Paul de Grae suggests the Ryan title may be the source of O’Neill’s “Reconciliation” name). Source for notated version: Winston Fitzgerald (Cape Breton) [Phillips]. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 114. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; pg. 212. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 152.

See also listings at:

Alan Snyder’s Cape Breton Fiddle Recording Index

Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources  (Keyword Search for “Olive Branch”)

Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info

X:1

T:Olive Branch

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

A2 (c>.A) e>A(f>.A) | e>Af>A e>cB>c | A2 c>A e>Af>A | e>cB>c A>FG>E |

A2 c>A e>Af>A | e>Af>A e>cB>c | A>BA>F E>cd>f | e>cB>c A2 z2 :|

|: A2 c>e a2 a>f | e>fe>d c>dB>c | A2 c>e a2 a>g | f>bb>a g>be>g |

a>ga>e f>ae>c | d>Bc>A B>AF>G | A>BA>F E>cd>f | e>cB>c A2 z2 :|

                       

OLIVE FLUTE, THE.  AKA and see “The Burren [2].”

 

OLIVER GOLDSMITH’S LAMENT. See “Lament for Oliver Goldsmith.”

                       

OLIVER TREMBALAY’S REEL. American, Reel. Trembalay was a dance fiddler from Lowell, Massachusetts. Flying Fish FF 70572, Frank Ferrel – “Yankee Dreams: Wicked Good Fiddling from New England” (1991).

           

OLIVER’S (WALTZ).  English(?), Waltz. G Major (‘A’ and ‘B’ parts) & C Major (‘C’ part). Standard. AABBCC. Kennedy (Fiddler’s Tune-Book: Slip Jigs and Waltzes), 1999; No. 153, pg. 40.

           

OLIVE’S HORNPIPE.  American, Hornpipe. A Major. Standard. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 51.

X:1

T:Olive’s Hornpipe

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:Howe – 1000 Jigs and Reels (c. 1867)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

E | AA/c/ ec/e/ | f/g/a/g/ f/e/c/e/ | e/d/B/d/ d/c/A/c/ | c/B/d/c/ B/A/F/E/ |

AA/c/ ec/e/ | f/g/a/g/ f/e/c/e/ | e/d/B/d/ d/c/A/c/ | c/A/B/G/ A :|

|: e | a/g/a/b/ c’/a/e/c/ | f/e/f/g/ a/e/c/A/ | a/g/a/b/ c’/a/e/c/ | f/a/g/b/ ag |

a/g/a/b/ c’/a/e/c/ | f/e/f/g/ a/e/c/A/ | A/c/e/a/ c’/a/e/c/ | f/a/g/b/ a :|

                       

OLLEFJORD JACK. Shetland, Shetland Reel. In the repertory of Shetland fiddle band, and therefore widely known.

                       

OLLISTRUM’S MARCH. AKA and see “Allistrum’s March [1],” “MacAlisdrum’s March,” “MacDonnell’s March.”

                       

OLLISTRUM JIG (Port Allistair). AKA and see “Mairseáil Alasdruim.” Irish, Double Jig. D Major ('A' part) & D Mixolydian ('B' part). Standard tuning. AABB. An interesting mixed-tonality jig. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 326, pg. 68.

X:1

T:Ollistrum Jig

L:1/8

M:6/8

R:Jig

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 326

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

E/F/GE FDD|FDd cAG|E/F/GE FDD|FDd A2G|E/F/GE FDD|

FDd cde|fed efg|fed cAG:|

K:D Mix

Ecc Add|Acc cAG|Ecc Add|edc A2G|Ecc Add|Acc cAG|Ecc efg|edc A2G:|

                       

O'LOUGHLIN, THE. Irish?, Reel. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Unusual is the 10 bar second part, rather than the usual eight bars for reels. Hardings All Round Collection, 1905; No. 109, pg. 34.

X:1

T:O’Loughlin, The

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

B:Harding’s All-Round Collection, No. 109  (1905)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:B Flat

F|BB B/d/c/e/|dd d/f/e/g/|f/b/a/g/ f/e/d/c/|Bd BF|

BB B/d/c/e/|Dd d/f/e/g/|f/b/a/g/ f/e/d/c/|BdB::B|

d/f/f f/b/a/g/|ff fd/e/ |f/d/B/d/ f/d/B/d/|e/c/A/c/ e/c/A/c/|

d/B/F/B/ d/B/F/B/|cc c/e/d/c/|BB B/e/c/e/|dd d/f/e/g/|f/b/a/g/ f/e/d/c/|BdB:|

                       

O'LOUGHLIN'S REEL. AKA and see "Miss Thornton's {Reel}," "The Boat Street Lasses," "The Maid of the Forest," "Lady Ann Hope [1]," "Thro the Fields [2]," "Coming Through the Field(s)," "The Creeping Mouse," "Down the Street," "Spike Island Lasses [2]," "Salamanca [2]."

                       

OLYMPIC HORNPIPE [1]. American, Hornpipe. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AABB. "Can be used as a Clog" (Cole). Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 105. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 142.

X:1

T:Olympic Hornpipe [1]

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:Bb

(FE) | D>BF>d B>fd>b | a>gf>g e>cA>c | (3BdB F>B G>ec>A | B>Ac>A F2 (DE) |

F>BF>d B>fd>b | a>gf>g e>cA>c | e>fg>a b>fg>e | d>f (3ABc B2 :|

|: (cB) | A>Fc>F B>Fd>F | c>Fe>c(3BdB (3FGA | B>AG>F E>DC>B, | A,>CF>=E F2 (f_e) |

d>cB>A E2 (gf) | e>f (3ABc F2b2 | (3.a.g.f (3.e.d.c (3B.A.G (3.E.E.C | B,2b2B,2 :|

 

OLYMPIC HORNPIPE [2]. Scottish (?), Hornpipe. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Honeyman (Strathspey, Reel and Hornpipe Tutor), 1898; pg. 52. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 60.

X:1

T:Olympic Hornpipe [2]

M:C

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:Honeyman – Strathspey, Reel and Hornpipe Tutor (1898)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:Bb

d>e|f>=ef>g f>_ed>c|d>cd>e d>cB>A|B>AB>c B>df>d|c>=Bc>d c>de>f|

g>^fg>a g>=fe>d|e>de>f e>dc>B|A>gf>e d>cB>A|c2 (B2 B2):|

|:c>B|A<f f2 a<f f2|d>fg>a b>ag>a|b>ag>f a>gf>=e|(3fag (3fed c2 c>B|

A<f f2 a<f f2|d>fg>a b>ag>a|b>ag>f a>gf>=e|f>=ef>g f2:|

                       

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