[COMMENT1] [COMMENT2] The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

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BAA - BAM

 

 

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]

 

 

 

B AND O RAILROAD, THE. American, Hornpipe. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. Bayard believes this to be a "recombined" tune, from other sources. Source for notated version: J. Morris (Greene County, Pa., 1930's) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 85, pgs. 52‑53.

                       

B AND O WALTZ. Old‑Time, Waltz. Tune mentioned in a 1931 account of a LaFollete, northeast Tenn. fiddlers contest.

           

B. C. CENTENIAL. Canadian, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by Ontario fiddler Ward Allen, who won contest after contest in the 1950’s and who carved out a successful career as a radio fiddler. The title honors the Canadian province of British Columbia.

X:1

T:B.C. Centennial

C:Ward Allen

M:2/4

L:1/16

R:Reel

K:D

d2|A,DCE DFEG|FAGB Adce|ddfd gfed|cABd AGFE|

A,DCE DFEG|FAGB Adce|ddfd gece|d2f2 d2:|

|:fg|abag fdef|geag fdfg|abag fdef|gece ddfg|

abag fdef|geag fdfg|abag fdef|gece d2:|

                                   

B FLAT HORNPIPE. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Missouri. B‑Flat. Standard. AABB. Source for notated version: Luther Caldwell (Mo.) [Christeson].  R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, Vol. 2), 1984; pg. 29.       

                       

B FLAT RAG. Old‑Time, Country Rag. USA, Kentucky. The Madisonville String Band was a group from Hopkins County, Kentucky, who recorded seven sides for Gennett in 1930. Guthrie Meade (1980) stylistically links them with Southwest bands of the era such as the East Texas Serenaders and Taylor's Louisiana Melody Makers because of the Madisonville's penchant for waltzes, rags and marches. Morning Star Records 45003, Madisonville String Band ‑ "Wink the Other Eye: Old Time Fiddle Band Music from Kentucky, Vol. 1" (1980).

                       

B-FUIL A TUILLE UAIT?  AKA and see "Do You Want Anymore?"

                       

BAALTIGH ABHRAN. AKA and see "Baltyoran."

                       

BAB AT THE BOWSTER. See "Babbity Bowster."

                       

BABA MO LEANABH. AKA and see "Ba‑ba, My Baby."

                       

BABA, MY BABY (Baba Mo Leanabh). Scottish, Slow Air (6/8 time). F Major. Standard. ABB. "The editor has often listened (to this charming lullaby) with delight to his father singing this air; it is so far preferable to the set of it now bandied over the country, as not to admit of the smallest comparison" (Fraser). Fraser (The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles), 1874; No. 79, pg. 29.

X:1

T:Ba-ba my Baby

T:Babà mo leanabh

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Slow Air

S:Fraser Collection  (1874)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D Minor

F/G/|A2d d>ef|A2G F2 z/F/4G/4|AAA fed|c<A~c d2 d/e/|f>ef g2B|

A>BG A<F z/F/4G/4|A>Bc B<Gc|A2F G2||

|:A|f>ef g2^g|a>b/a/^g/ a2 z/A/|

f>ef g2^g|a>b/a/^g/ a2 z/a/4=g/4|f>ef g2 z/B/|A>BA A<F z/F/4G/4|

A>Bc B<Gc|A2F G2:|

                       

BABBIT'S HORNPIPE. AKA and see “Smith’s Hornpipe [2].” American, Hornpipe. D Major. Standard. AABB. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 113. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 151.

X:1

T:Babbit’s Hornpipe

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

A | d/c/d/A/ B/c/d/f/ | g/f/e/d/ c/B/A/G/ | F/A/d/f/ g/f/e/d/ | c/e/d/B/ .A(B/c/) |

d/A/e/A/ f/A/g/A/ | g/f/e/d/ d/c/B/A/ | d/f/e/g/ f/a/e/g/ | fdd :: (f/g/) | a/g/f/e/ d/e/f/g/ |

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

a/f/d/A/ d/c/B/A/ | d/f/e/g/ f/a/e/g/ | fdd :|

                       


BABBITY BOWSTER/BOLSTER. AKA – “Bee-Ba-Babbity.” AKA and see "Country Bumpkin," "Who learned you to dance and a towdle." Scottish, Jig. This common Scottish melody (which Emmerson {1972} states is "yet on the lips of every Lowland child") first appears in the Skene Manuscript (1620) under the title "Who learned you to dance and a towdle," and later was printed by Stewart in his Reels (c. 1768) as "Country Bumpkin" and by Aird in Airs (1782) as "Bab at the Bowster." A tune by this title shows up as a fugue theme in Barsanti's overture in G, op. IV no. 9, c. 1750. Flett & Flett (1964) explain that "Babbity Bowster" is the name of a kissing dance once widely performed as the last dance at country dances in Scotland, though the name changed from region to region.  In the Borders and Aberdeenshire it was known as "Babbity Bowster," a corruption of "Bob at the Bolster," in Fife and Lanarkshire as "Bee Bo Bobbity," in the Highlands and the Isles under the Gaelic titles "Ruidhleadh nam Pog" (The Kissing Reel), "Dannsadh nam Pog" (The Kissing Dance), and also by the English names "Blue Bonnets," "The Bonnet Dance," "The Bonny Lad," "Pease Strae" and "The White Cockade." In Orkney (where it was danced as late as 1925) it was called the "Lang Reel," "The Swine's Reel", "The Reel of Barm" or as "Babbity Bowster." The dance began with a man displaying a twisted handkerchief who then selected a woman, spread the handkerchief on the floor and both knelt and kissed. Then it was her turn to join the dance and to select another from the audience to kiss and join the dance.  There were many variations of steps and endings, and in some regions it was customary for the man to escort the woman home whom he had chosen during the dance. A poetic description is given in Alexander Fordyce's piece A Country Wedding (1818):

***

...but custom is pressing

That Bob at'e Bowster be danced ere you go

We must close in the door, tho' constraint be distressing,

Bestman, let us see where the napkin you'll throw:

***

That's plenty o' capers, come, kiss and be done, Sir,

Another, another, and round, round you go

The circle increases; that squeak in the tune, Sir,

Is meant, by the fiddler, more kissing to show.

***

Flett & Flett make the connection of this dance with an earlier and  very similar dance called "The Cushion Dance" or "Joan Sanderson," which was danced at court at the time of the Restoration. The 'bolster' of the Scottish title was in fact the 'cushion' referred to in the English name, and refers to the small pillow that was used at one time before the handkerchief was substituted.

                       

BABBY’S FANCY. Scottish, Country Dance Tune. G Minor. Standard. AB. The tune was published in 1799 by Thomas Calvert, a musician from Kelso, Scotland. A note with the collection states that Calvert supplied “a variety of music and instruments, instruments lent out, tun’d and repaired.”

X: 1

T:Babby's Fancy

M:C

L:1/8

B:The Calvert Collection - Page 7

Z:Nigel Gatherer

K:GMinor

D|G>FG>A B2 Bd|cBAG AFFD|G>FG>A B2 dc|"tr" BGA^F G2 G||

d|g>^fg>a ~g2 d=e|"tr" f>=ef>d cAFA|g>^fg>a ~g2 dc|"tr" BGA^F G2 Gd|

g>^fg>a ~g2 d=e|~f>gf>d c/B/A/G/ FA|GBAc Bd {e}dc|"tr" BGA^F G2 G||

                       

BABE.  Old-time. E Flat Major: D Major. Standard. From the early 78 RPM group the East Texas Serenaders, originally played in the key of E flat (although often heard in modern times in D major).

 

BABES IN THE WOODS [1]. AKA and see “Girl with the Blue Dress On [1],” “Tony Lowe’s Polka [1].” English, Irish; Polka. G Major. Standard. AABB. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 6, pg. 17.

X:1

T:Babes in the Woods [1]

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Polka

K:G

de/d/ cA | BG G/D/G/B/ | AD F>G | AG GB/c/ | de/d/ cA | BG G/d/G/B/ |

AD D/E/F/G/ | AG G2 :: GB/d/ g>a | fe e2 | FA/c/ f>g | ed d/c/B/A/ |

GB/d/ gg | fe e2 | fe/f/ af | ag g2 :|

 

BABES IN THE WOODS [2]. Irish, Polka. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: fiddler Adam McConnell with McConnell’s Four Leaf Shamrocks, who recorded the tune in 1924 [Miller & Perron]. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 2nd Edition, 2006; pg. 125. Green Linnet GLCD 3092, Bernard O’Sullivan & Tommy MacMahon – “Clare Concertinas” (appears as one of “Stack Ryan’s Polkas,” named for the musician from whom it was learned). Old Hat Music OH!02, "The Old Hat Dance Band" (1992. Learned from Kerry fiddle player Julia Clifford, who has lived in Norfolk for some years). Topic TSCD 602, McConnell’s Four Leaf Shamrocks – “Irish Dance Music” (1995. A reissue of the 1924 original).

X:1

T:Babes in the Woods  [2]

M:2/4

L:1/16

Q:125

S:Castle Ceili Band

R:polka

Z:by m euritt

K:D

A2BA F2A2| d2e2f4|g4 f2e2|d2f2A4|

A2BA F2A2| d2e2f4|g4 f2e2|d4d4:|

e4e2d2|c2e2a4|e4e2f2|g2e2 c2A2|

e4e2d2|c2e2a4|g4 f2e2|d4d4:|

X:2

T:Babes in the Woods

M:2/4

D:Beginish

K:D

B2|: ABAG F2A2 | d2e2 f2ef | g2 gg f2e2 | d2f2 A2B2 |

ABAG F2A2 | d2e2 f2ef | g2 gg f2e2 |1 d6 B2 :|2 d6 cd ||

c2d2 e2f2 | g2gg g2g2 | f2ff f2a2 | e4 e2d2 |

c2d2 e2f2 | g2gg g2g2 | f2a2 g2e2 |1 d2dd d2cd :|2 d6 ||

 

BABES IN THE WOODS [3]. AKA and see “Peter Street [1] [1],” “Timour the Tarter.” Scottish, Country Dance Tune (2/4 time). A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; No. 4, pg. 22.

X:1

T:Babes in the Wood [3]

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Country Dance

B:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 1, pg. 22  (c. 1880’s)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

A>c e/c/A/c/|eagf|e>c e/c/A/c/|BdcB|A>c e/c/A/c/|

eagf|e>c ac|B2A2::E>G B/G/E/G/|BdcB|

A>c e/c/A/c/|eagf|e>ca>f|ee/c/ a>f|e>cac|B2A2:|

 

BABES IN THE WOODS SCHOTTISCHE [4]. American, Schottische. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. Source for notated version: Strosnider (1930's). A version of this tune, with the same name, was sung in southwestern Pennsylvannia, beginning:

***

My dears, do you know, a long time ago,

Two little children whose names I don't know

Went out for to play one fine summer's day,

And were lost in the woods, so I've heard people say.   (Bayard)

***

Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 400, pg. 381.

 

BABES IN THE WOODS [5]. Old‑Time, Fiddle Tune. May be the same as versions #1 or #2. The tune was recorded in the Ozark Mountains in the early 1940's for the Library of Congress by musicologist Vance Randolph.

         

BABY BEN. American, Schottische. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. From the repertoire of Alabama fiddler James Bryan.

X:1

T:Baby Ben

M:C

L:1/8

Q:160

S:James Bryan – Festival of Fiddle Tunes, 1995

Z:From a transcription by Dave Barton

K:G

z4 (.B2.c2) |: [G,3D3d3] (e dc) BA | G2G,2A,2G,2 | ({D}E4) ({D}E3F) | E4 (.A2.B2.) |

{B}[D3c3] (d cB) AG |1 F2D2 (ED) C2 | ({A,}B,4) ({A,}B3C) | B,4 (.B2.c2) :|2

F2D2E2F2 | G4 (G3A) | [B,4G4] (.B,2C2) |: [B,4D4] [B,3(D4] | [B,2D2)] Bc B(A GF) |

[C4E4] (E3F) | ({E/F/}E4) .A2.B2 | ({B}[D3c3)] (d cB) AG |1 F2D2 (ED) (CA,) |

({A,}B,4) ({A,}B3C) | B,4 (.B,2C.2) :|2 F2D2E2F2 | ({F}G4) ({F}G3A) | [B,4G4] (.B2.c2) ||

         

BABY GAVIN.  AKA and see “Burke's [1],” “Charlie Mulvihill’s (Jig) [1],” “Connie O’Connell’s Jig [2],” “Coughlan’s,” “Gallagher’s [2],” “Lad O’Beirne’s (Jig),” “Matt Molloy’s (Jig),” “The Short Road,” “The Silver Vale.” Irish, Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Printed under this title by New Jersey accordion player Luke O’Malley, once a student of John McGrath, who obtained the tune from the Gavin family of Ballina. O’Malley (Luke O’Malley’s Collection of Irish Music, vol. 1), 1976; No. 103, pg. 52.

                   

BABY-O. See “Whatcha Gonna Do with the Baby?

                   

BACACH. AKA and see "Drunken Hiccups [1]." Irish. The Irish word means lame or cripple.

                   

BACACH NA CLEITHE. AKA and see "An Ghaoth Aniar Andeas," "Connie the Soldier," "Coffee and Tea [2]," "Jimmy the Tailor," "Aineens Double," "The Cherry Grove," "Banish Misfortune (or Mary of Inistuick)[2]."

                   

BACAGH OF THE WATTLE, THE. Irish, Jig. Published under this title by Petrie, collected from Galway piper Paddy Coneely in 1840. It is a version of “Banish Misfortune” [2] and “Connie the Soldier.

                   

BACCA PIPES JIG (GREENSLEEVES). AKA and see "Greensleeves [1]." English, Morris Dance. A Dorian (Bacon {Bampton, Hinton}, Karpeles, Raven): G Major (Bacon {Ascot‑Under‑Wychwood}). Standard tuning. AB (Bacon {Ascot}): AAB (Bacon {Hinton}): AABB (Karpeles, Raven): ABA'B'A''B''A'''B'''(Bacon {Headington}). From the Ascot‑under‑Wychwood, Bampton, and Headington areas of England's Cotswolds. 'Bacca' pipes refers to the long‑stemmed clay tobacco pipes (sometimes called ‘churchwarden’ pipes), which were crossed and placed on the ground (in the manner of some sword dances) whilst a solo jig was danced between them. Although not related to the tune it is interesting to note that the term ‘bacca-pipes’ in lower class English slang of the early 19th century referred to whiskers curled in small close ringlets. Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pgs. 26, 197, & 204. Karpeles & Schofield (A Selection of 100 English Folk Dance Airs), 1951; pg. 36. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 74. EFDSS CD03, William Kimber – “Absolutely Classic: The Music of William Kimber.” Topic 12T249, William Kimber – “The Art of William Kimber” (William Kimber played the anglo concertina for Headington Quarry Morris on Boxing Day, 1899, when Cecil Sharp first encountered them, which led to a morris dance revival).

X:1

T:Bacca Pipes Jig (Greensleeves)

M:6/8

L:1/8

K:A Dorian

c3 c2e|d2c B3|c2B A3|B2A G3|(c3 c2)e|d2c B3|c2A B2G|A3 A3||

g2f g2e|d2B G3|g2f g2e|a2f d3|g2f g2e|d2c B3|c2d e2d|A3 A3||

                   

BACA(C)H BUIDHE, AN (Lame Yellow Beggar). AKA and see "Bacach Buidhe Na Leige" (The Yellow Beggar of the League), "The Lame Yellow Beggar," "The Wild Geese," "Johnnie Armstrong," "