At present I don't know a whole lot about this tune, only that it is a fun
and somewhat challenging tune because of the string changing involved on the
fiddle.
I had thought of changing it to the key of D to make it pipe friendly (as I
often play with a piper with small pipes in D), however, it has a two octave
range so that wouldn't have worked too well anyway. So I left it in the key
of A, which I've heard it most often played in (at Ceilidh dances), and also
the key I learned it in. This tune is challenging but a lot of fun.
The second measure (and only the first three beats) sort of reminds me of a TV song, maybe the Mayberry RFD or is it one of the Andy Griffith show theme songs or was it the Gomer Pyle theme? Hmmm, -- that's what's coming to mind at this moment. Hmm, fuzzy memory -- I do recall it being one of those shows from the 1660s. If you hear that too and can remember which theme song it is, do e-mail.
Here it is in MIDI --
I've done the midi file at quarter note=110 on the metronome. It should probably be slower, but too slow and it kind of loses it's bounce. Of course you don't want to play it too fast either or you might injur a dancer -- this tune is a fine accompaniment to a Gay Gordons, which with all those forward and backwards steps, the twirl and this could be quite treacherous, especially after a few drams! ;)
You could mix this in a set with Scotland the Brave (transcription coming soon) as well as a tune called Gay Gordons (also forthcoming), or if you're at a really modern ceilidh, I'm told that Van McCoy's "The Hustle" (yes the disco hit) will even fit!
Gay Gordons is a popular Scottish Ceilidh dance that's been around since the late 1800s and is not actually a Scottish dance at all. It orignated in Europe and was written around the time of the Military Two Step and Canadian Barn Dance. .Be that as it may, it is has grown to be one of the most popular dances at a Scottish Ceilidh dance and it is believed by some that it name was actually refers to The Gordon Highlanders. (See Celtic Roots link below and click on history) and may have been inspired by their attire.
Couples form a circle around the room facing counter clockwise -- ladies on
the right.
The man holds his partner's right hand behind her right shoulder and holds her
left hand in his left hand in front of her waist (Allemande hold).
Starting with the right foot, walk forward for 4 steps turning on the fourth
without letting go.
Change the arms so that the left arm is now high and the right one low and walk
backwards for another 4 steps turning on the fourth.
Walk forward for 4 turning on the fourth. Change arms so that the right arm
is high again and walk backwards for 4 steps.
Face partner. Men walk forward turning their partner under their right arm for
4 beats.
Then adopt a ballroom hold and polka for 4 beats.
Repeat until musicians get tired or until dancers fall down... (just kidding). ;)
For some more Ceilidh Dance instructions visit:
Scottish Dance.net
http://www.scottishdance.net/ceilidh/dances.html
Animated Gay Gordons from the BBC
Celtic Roots web site.
You'll need a Real Player plug-in to view (link on their website).