The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2007 Andrew Kuntz

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[COMMENT1] [COMMENT2] 

BI - BILE

[COMMENT3] 

 

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 concertina.net’s incredibly handy “ABC Convert-A-Matic” at

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

 

[COMMENT4] 

BÍ AG BUAIDREAD, NA. AKA and see "Don't Be Teasing."

 

BÍ AG TREABHADH LEAT. AKA and see "Speed the Plow/Plough [1]."

           

BI FALBH ANNS A MHIONAID (Go Immediately). AKA and see “Weary We Have Been.” Canadian, Scottish; Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. A variant of the Cape Breton version of the tune is published by the Scots Guards under the title “Weary We Have Been.” Shears’ setting is from the music manuscript of Captain Angus J. MacNeil of Gillis Point, Cape Breton, compiled in 1915. According to Shears (1986) MacNeil was an officer-piper with the 94th Regiment, Victoria Battalion, organized for home defense during World War I. His unit had the distinction of being the only British Empire unit with over 80% of its officers and enlisted being Gaelic speakers! Shears (Gathering of the Clans Collection, vol. 1), 1986; pg. 48 (pipe setting).

                       

BIADANAI, AN (The Cabin Hunter). AKA and see “The Cabin Hunter.”

 

BIB COUNTY HOEDOWN. AKA – “Bibb County Breakdown.” Old-Time, Breakdown. C Major. Standard. AB. In the repertoire of Seven Foot Dilly and His Dill Pickles (A.A. Gray, fiddle), north Georgia, who recorded it in 1930. Bibb County is in Georgia, created in 1822 and named after William Wyatt Bibb (1790-1820), a United States Senator and Governor of the Territory of Alabama. Macon is the county seat. Source for notated version: Greg Canote [Silberberg]. Silberberg (Tunes I Learned at Tractor Tavern), 2002; pg. 8 (appears as “Bibb County Breakdown”).

           

BIBY, LA.  French, Country Dance (2/4 time). C Major (‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘D’ parts) & C Minor (‘C’ part). 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. 5.

X:1

T:Biby, La

M:2/4

L:1/8

S:Daubat – Cent Contredanses en Rond (1757), No. 5

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C

c>d | c>Gc>d | {d}e2 g>a | g>fe>d | {f}(e/d/c) c>d | c>Gc>d | {d}e2 g>a |

g>fe>d | c2 :: G>A | G>gg>f | “tr”f2 G>A | G>ff>e | “tr”e2 c>d | c>aa>g |

g2 {f}ed/c/ | BcGB| {d} c2 :|

K:C Minor

(e/d/c) | cG (e/d/c) | c2 G>A | G>FE>D | (E/D/C) (e/d/)c | cG e/d/c | c G>A |

G>FE>D | {D}C2 :|

K:C

G>B | B2 G>g | “tr” g2 G>A | G>g {g}f>e | {e}d2 c>d | c>aa>g | {a}g2 {f}ed/c/ |

BcGB | {d}c2 :|

                       

BICYCLE [1], THE. Irish, Slide. Ireland, Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border. E Dorian. Standard. AB. A kind of slip-slide local to Sliabh Luachra, often performed for dancing by Johnny O’Leary. O’Leary remarks that the tune is “kind of slip slide, if you like”--similarities to a slip jig and a slide. He remembers that the associated dance had a double wheel at the end:

***

If they were slow dancers they wouldn’t be able to do it then,

do you see. They’d be falling around the house. They couldn’t

get the double wheel at all. They’d be hitting against each

other. The one that could double could do it now, you could

do the double, swinging easy, like. But the one that couldn’t

do that is caught in that slide, if you play it fast.    (Moylan)

***

O’Leary associates the tune with a particular figure of the Sliabh Luachra set, and usually reserves it for the fifth figure and regards only fairly competent dancers can cope with it. Source for notated version: recorded February, 1973, in Ballydesmond from the playing of accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Sliabh Luachra), who had the tune from Mickin Dálaigh [Moylan]. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary) 1994; No. 15, pg. 10.

X:1

T:The Bicycle

M:12/8

L:1/8

Q:160

R:slide

D:Johnny O'Leary of Sliabh Luachra

D:Brendan Begley, "We Won't Go Home Till Morning"

Z:Lorna LaVerne

K:E Aeolian

|:”Em”B2 E E2 F G2 E E3| B2 E E2 F “D”A3 F2 A |

“Em”B2 E E2 F G2 E E2 A | B2 A “Bm”d2 B “Am”A3 “D”F2 A:|

|:”Em”B2e e2d “Bm”B2A “D”F2A|”Em”Bee e2f “Bm”d3 B2A|

“Em”Bee e^de “Bm”B2A “D”=d2B|A^GA “Bm”D2F “Am”A3 “D”F2A:|

"variation, bars 7 and 8"| Bee efe B2A d2B|ABA D2F A3 A2F|

 

BICYCLE [2], THE. Irish, Reel. Ireland, Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border. E Dorian. Standard. AABB. A reel-time version of “The Bicycle” [1]. Source for notated version: fiddler Denis Murphy (Sliabh Luachra); after Johnny O’Leary played the slide version of “The Bicycle [1]," Denis Murphy, in attendance at the same 1973 Ballydesmond session, demonstrated the reel version [Moylan]. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary), 1994; No. 16, pg. 11.

 

BIDDLESTONE HORNPIPE, THE.  English, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard. AABB. Composed by Northumbrian piper Billy Pigg (1902-1968). Biddlestone is a hamlet in Coquetdale, Northumberland, where Pigg lived for a time. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 275, pg. 165. Northumbrian Pipers’ Second Tune Book, 1981. Pauline Cato – “New Tyne Bridge.” Topic 12TS445, The High Level Ranters – “Four in a Bar” (1979).

 

BIDDY BARRY. Irish, Schottische. G Major. Standard. AB. Roche Collection, 1982; vol. 3, No. 158, pg. 53.

 

BIDDY CROWLEY’S BALL. AKA and see “Art O’Keeffe’s [2],” “Johnny Mick Dinny’s,” “Mo Ghrasa Ar Maidin,” “My Love in the Morning.”

 


BIDDY EARLY (Brigidin Ni Maelmoceirige). Irish, Hornpipe. A Dorian. Standard. AABB. Early in the 20th century Irish immigrants from County Clare were called (somewhat derisively) ‘Biddy Early’s’. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 946, pg. 162.

X:1

T:Billy Early

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 946

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Dorian

(3GAB|c2 cB cdeg|dedB GABd|cA (3AAA ecAc|edBA GABd|

c2 cA cdeg|dedB GABd|cBAg edcB|c2A2A2:|

|:ef|gfga gedc|BcdB GABd|agab agea|gede cdef|

geaf gedB|cBAB cdea|gfge dfed|c2A2A2:|

 

BIDDY FROM LIMERICK (Brigidin ua Luimnaig). Irish, Slip Jig. D Major/Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AABB. O'Neill (Krassen); pg. 85. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1161, pg. 219.

X:1

T:Biddy From Limerick

M:9/8

L:1/8

R:Slip Jig

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 1161

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

F2D A2F def | F2D A2F GFE | F2D A2F def | g2f e2d cBA :|

|: ABA d2A def | ABA d2A GFE | ABA d2A def | g2f e2d cBA :|

           

BIDDY FROM MUCKCROSS. Irish, Reel. Ireland, County Donegal. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. The tune is associated with the KIilcar region of County Donegal, explains piper Brian McNamara, who says ‘Biddy’ was a lilter from the headland of Muckross, near Kilcar. She lilted at dances when there were no fiddles available [see also Caoimhin Mac Aoidh, Between the Jigs and the Reels]. Drumlin Records BMNCD2, Brian McNamara – “Fort of the Jewels” (2004). Larraga Records, MMR112000, Mike & Mary Rafferty – “The Road to Ballinakill” (2001).

X:1
T:Biddy from Muckcross
C:from Robbie Hannan
O:Donegal
R:reel
B:J. Schiefner "Queen of Diamonds) p. 21
Z:id:js_638
M:4/4
K:D
BGB|ADDE FAAc|d2fd BGBd|ADDE FAed|BdAG FDDB|
ADDE FAAc|dgfd BGBd|ADDE FAed|BdAG FDDf||
a{b}afd Adfg|ad (3.g.f.d cdef|a{b}afa gfed|BdAG FDDf|
a{b}afd Adfg|adfd cdef|gbaf gece|dBAG FDDF|]

           

BIDDY FROM SLIGO. AKA and see “Biddy of Sligo.”

 

BIDDY, I'M NOT JESTING. Irish (originally), New England; March (4/4 or 2/4 time). G Major (O’Neill, Reiner & Anick): A Flat Major (Stanford/Petrie). Standard tuning. AB (Stanford/Petrie): AABB (O'Neill): AA'BB'AB (Reiner & Ancik). Sources for notated versions: piper Paddy Coneely (Galway) [Stanford/Petrie]; Adirondack, New York, fiddler and former lumberjack Larry Older via Rodney Miller (Antrim, N.H.) [Reiner & Anick]. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1817, pg. 341. O’Neill (Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody), 1922; No. 67. Reiner & Anick (Old Time Fiddling Across America), 1989; pg. 47. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; No. 307, pg. 77.

X:1

T:Biddy I'm Not Jesting

M:4/4

L:1/8

S:Capt. F. O'Neill

Z:Paul Kinder

K:G

D2|DEGA B2 AG|AGAB d2 BG|E2 DB, DEGA|B2 A>A A2 D2|

DEGA B2 AG|AGAB d2 BG|E2 DB, DEGA|B2 G>G G2:|

|:D2|GABd e2 ge|dBGE c2 Bc|dBGE DEGA|B2 A>A A2 D2|

DEGA B2 AG|AGAB d2 BG|E2 DB, DEGA|B2 G>G G2:||

 

BIDDY IS MY DARLING. Irish, Air (6/8 time). G Major. Standard. AA'BB. The unrelated, but similarly-titled slide “Biddy the Darling” is below. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 564, pg. 99.

X:1

T:Biddy is My Darling

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Cheerfully”

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 564

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

d|BzG czA|BdB Gzd|ezc ezf|{z}gfe d2f|gfe dcB|edc BAG|1

FGA ABc BcB A2:|2 FGA ABA|G3 G2||

|:d|gzd Bcd|efg dzd|gzf efg|age dzd|gaz bag|efg d2c|BAG FGA|G3 G2:|

 

BIDDY MALONEY (Brigidin Ni Maoldomnaig). AKA and see “Malowney's/Maloney’s Wife.” Irish, Double Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AABBCCDDEEFFGG. Source for notated version: from the manuscript collection of retired businessman and Irish music enthusiast John Gillan, collected from musicians in his home county of Longford and the adjoining Leitrim [O’Neill]. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1010, pg. 188. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 224, pg. 51.

X:1

T:Biddy Maloney

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 224

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

A/G/|FGA AFA|AFA AFA|BGG AGF|BGE EGE|

FGA AFA|AFA d2A|B/c/dB Afd|AFD D2:|

|:c/d/|ecA AcA|ecA d2A|GBG FGA|BGE E2 c/d/|ecA dfa|gfe d2A|dcB AFd|AFD D2:|

|:f/g/|a3g3|fed cBA|GBG FGA|BGE E2 f/g/|agf gbg|fed cBA|dcB AFd|AFD D2:|

|:f/g/|af/g/a/f/ dfg|af/g/a/f/ dga|bg/a/b/g/ ega|bg/a/b/g/ efg|af/g/a/f/ bgg|af/g/a/f/ d2A|

B/c/dB AFd|AFD D2:|

|:A|d/e/dc dAF|d/e/dc dAF|GBG FGA|BGE E2A|d/e/dc dAF|d/e/dc dAF|dcd efg|fdd d2:|

|:g|f/g/ab afd|fdf/g/ afd|g2e f2d|efe efg|f/g/ab afd|f/d/fg afd|gfg eag|fdd d2:|

|:g|fdf ece|dcB AGF|GBG FGA|BGE E2g|fdf ece|dcB AGF|B/c/dB AFd|AFD D2:|

X:2

T:Biddy Maloney

R:jig

Z:id:hn-jig-243

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

M:6/8

L:1/8

K:D

F2A AFA|ABA FED|GBG FGA|BGE EAG|

F2A AFA|AFA d2A|Bcd edB|1 AFD D2E:|2 AFD D2d||

|:ecA Bcd|ecA AGF|GBG FGA|BGE E2d|

ecA Bcd|ecA d2A|Bcd edB|1 AFD D2d:|2 AFD D2f||

|:~g3 ~f3|gfe def|~g3 fga|bge e2f|

~g3 ~f3|gfe d2A|Bcd edB|1 AFD D2f:|2 AFD D2E||

 

BIDDY MARTIN (Bidí Mháirtín). AKA and see "(Hi) Betty Martin," "Tip Toe Fine." Irish, Polka. D Major. Standard tuning. AB (Breathnach): AABB (Mallinson). Breathnach (1985) said his source, Leahy, told him this tune was much referred to in dancing schools as the steps of the reel set to it were easy for youngsters.

***

Hie, Biddy Martin, tip toe, tip toe,

Hie, Biddy Martin, tip toe, tie.

***

Source for notated version: accordion player Tim Leahy, 1968 (Listowel, Co. Kerry, Ireland) [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRE II), 1976; No. 111, pg. 62. Mallinson (100 Polkas), 1997; No. 39, pg. 15. Green Linnet GLCD 3009, Kevin Burke - "If the Cap Fits" (1978. Learned from accordion player Jackie Daly).

                       

BIDDY MICKEY’S. AKA and see “The Humours of Tuamgraney,” “Tuamgraney Castle.” Outlet OAS 3002, Paddy Cronin - "Kerry's Own Paddy Cronin" (1977),

                       

BIDDY OATS. American, Quickstep (2/4 time). D Major. Standard. AABB. In 1862 Bruce and Emmett’s Drummers’ and Fifers’ Guide was published to help codify and train the hordes of new musicians in Union Army service early in the American Civil War. George Bruce was a drum major in the New York National Guard, 7th Regiment, and had served in the United States Army as principal drum instructor at the installation at Governor’s Island in New York harbor. Emmett was none-other than Daniel Decatur Emmett, a principal figure in the mid-19th century minstrel craze and composer of “Dixie” (ironically turned into a Confederate anthem during the war) and “Old Dan Tucker,” among other favorites. Emmett had been a fifer for the 6th U.S. Infantry in the mid-1850’s. Bruce & Emmett’s Drummers’ and Fifers’ Guide, 1862; pg. 56. Sweet (Fifer’s Delight), 1964; pg. 54.

X:1

T:Biddy Oats

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Quickstep March

S:Bruce & Emmett’s Drummers’ & Fifers’ Guide  (1862)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

(3A/B/c/ | df/d/ Ad/A/ | FA/F/ DA | d/c/B/A/ g/f/e/d/ | d/f/c/e/ d/c/B/A/ |

df/d/ Ad/A/ | FA/F/ De/f/ | g/e/f/d/ e/c/d/B/ | A/d/A/F/ D :: f/e/ | dF/G/ Ag/f/ |

eE/F/ Gf/e/ | d/A/F/A/ g/f/e/d/ | c/e/d/B/ Af/e/ | d/A/B/c/ d/A/g/f/ |

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

                       

BIDDY OF BARNES.. Irish, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard. AABB. McGuire & Keegan (Irish Tunes by the 100), 1975; No. 74, pg. 20.

                       


BIDDY OF SLIGO. AKA and see “Biddy from Sligo,” "Kitty O'Lynn." Irish, Double Jig. D Major. Standard. AABB (Jarman, Kennedy, Kerr): AA’BB’ (Songer). As “Biddy from Sligo” it is a popular jig in County Donegal. Source for notated version: Sean Smyth (Ireland) via Dan Compton (Portland, Oregon) [Songer]. Jarman, Old Time Fiddlin' Tunes; No. or pg. 18. Kennedy (Fiddlers Tune Book), vol. 2; No. 37. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; No. 6, pg. 36. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; pg. 28 (appears as “Biddy from Sligo”). Bellbridge Records, Bobby Casey – “Casey in the Cowhouse” (1992. Originally recorded 1959). Sean Smyth - “The Blue Fiddle” (appears under the title “Soweto Slide”).

                       

BIDDY ROWAN. Irish, Air (4/4 time). E Minor. Standard. One part. "From a MS. lent by Denny Lane of Cork" (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 777, pg. 380.

X:1

T:Biddy Rowan

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

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

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E Minor

.e.e.e.e e3d | e3f g3e | edBA G2 EF | G3A G2 zA | BBBA Bgfg | e3f d2 BA | G2 BE E3E | E6F2 |

GFED E3F | G3F EFGA | .B.BBA G3A | B3A G3A | BBBA Bgfg | e3fd2BA | GB E2 E3E | E6 z2 ||

 

BIDDY THE BOWL WIFE. AKA – “Biddy the Boul Wife.” English, Irish; Jig. A Major. Standard. AABB. Kennedy, Vol. 2, 1954; pg. 34. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; No. 15, pg. 37. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 110.

X:1

T:Biddy the Boul Wife

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

K:G

DGB d2 e|dBG g2e|dBG DGB|cAA A2d|DGB d2 e|dBG g2e|dBG DEF|AGG G3:|

|:ded g2f|agf efg|dBG DGB|cAA A3|ded g2f|agf efg|dBG DEF|AGG G3:|

 

BIDDY THE DARLING (Bidí an Muirnín).  Irish, Single Jig (12/8 time). D Major. Standard. AA’BB’. See also the related “Rosie Finn’s Favourite,” recorded by the Bothy Band. Source for notated version: fiddler Tom Barrett (Listowel, County Kerry) [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ V), 1999; No. 68, pg. 35. Howe (500 Irish Melodies, Ancient and Modern), c. 1870.

 

BIDDY'S WEDDING (Posad Brigidin). Irish, Double Jig. C Major. Standard. AABB. O'Neill (Krassen); pg. 56. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 985, pg. 183. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 201, pg. 47.

X:1

T:Biddy’s Wedding

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 201

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C

c>dc c2c|ceg gec|c>dc c2c|B>cd dBG|c>dc c2c|ceg gec|faf ege|B>cd dBG:|

|:c>dc g2c|e2c g2c|c>dc g2c|B>cd dBG|c>dc bge|edc gec|faf ege|B>cd dBG:|

 

BIDE YE YET [1]. Scottish, Jig. C Major ('A' part) & A Minor ('B' part). Standard. AAB. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 164, pg. 97.

 

BIDE YE YET [2]??? Scottish. AKA and see "Crowdie," "Three Times Crowdie in One Day," "The Wayward Wife," "O That I Had Ne'er Been Married." See notes for "Lost Indian [7]" (G Major). Bayard thinks the 'A' strain resembles the 'A' strain in his "Lost Indian [7].”

 

BIDE YE YET [3]. Scottish, Jig. G Major. Standard. AABB. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 2, pg. 32.

 

BIDFORD TOWN MORRIS. English, Morris Dance Tune (6/8 time). C Major. Standard. AABB. A 'morris on' tune. Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pg. 61.

 

BIDH CLANN ULAIDH (Men of Ulster). Irish, Air. A Gaelic lullaby which tells the baby that pipes will be played, wine drunk and the children of kings will be present at his wedding. Culburnie CUL 113D, Alasdair Fraser & Tony MacManus – “Return to Kintail” (1999).

 

BIDÍ A’ MHUC ROS [1]. Irish, Slip Jig. One of the tunes learned from two fairy fiddlers by Bidi a’ Mhuc Ros, a Donegal lilter who lived at Muckros Head near Kilcar. See also note for “Bean a’ Tigh ar Lar [1].”

 

BIDÍ A’ MHUC ROS [2]. Irish, March. One of the tunes learned from two fairy fiddlers by Bidi a’ Mhuc Ros, a Donegal lilter who lived at Muckros Head near Kilcar.

 

BIDÍ A’ MHUC ROS [3]. Irish, Hornpipe. One of the tunes learned from two fairy fiddlers by Bidi a’ Mhuc Ros, a Donegal lilter who lived at Muckros Head near Kilcar.

 

BIDÍ AN MUIRNÍN.  AKA and see “Biddy the Darling.”

 

BIDÍ MHÁIRTÍN. AKA and see "Biddy Martin."

           

BIELBIE’S HORNPIPE.  AKA and see “Curlew Hills (Polka).” English, Hornpipe. From the playing of Borders musicians Willie Taylor and Joe Hutton. The tune is a member of a large tune family that, in Northumberland, goes by the name “Beilby’s Hornpipe,” or “Bielbie’s Hornpipe.” The name is used in the early 18th century slang term “Beilby’s Ball,” referring to a hanging: “He will dance at Beilby’s ball, where the sheriff plays the music” (A Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1811). It is perhaps possible that ‘to dance Beilby’s hornpipe’ meant the same thing. At any rate, no one knows who Beilby/Bielbie was, although Noel Jackson notes that one of the musical associates of Northumbrian musician Bewick the Younger was named Bielbie. See also the related “Linehope Lope.” Also, “The Original Schottische” in the Thomas Hardy manuscripts, and “The Original Schottische Polka” in Michael Turner’s manuscript copybooks are close variants. MWM 1031, Joe Hutton – “Music from Northumberland and the Border Country” (1983. Paired with “Mrs. Anne Jamieson’s Favourite”).

X:1

T:Bielbie’s Hornpipe

C:(Curlew or Green Bay Hornpipe)

Q:1/4=140

I:abc2nwc

M:4/4

L:1/8

Z:Lewes Favourites Download (http://members.aol.com/lewesarmsfolk/LFTunes.html)

K:G

D2|:G3/2A/2 B3/2c/2 d3/2g/2 f3/2a/2|g2B2d2-d3/2B/2|\

c3/2e/2 A3/2B/2 c2c2|B3/2d/2 G3/2A/2 B3/2c/2 B3/2A/2|

G3/2A/2 B3/2c/2 d3/2g/2 f3/2a/2|g2B2d2-d3/2B/2|\

c3/2e/2 A3/2B2 c3/2B/2 c3/2A/2|\

[1G2B2G2D2:|[2G2B2G3/2A/2 B3/2c/2

|:d2b2c2a2|B2g3/2f/2 g3/2d/2 B3/2G/2|F3/2G/2 A3/2B/2 c3/2A/2 F3/2D/2|\

G3/2F/2 G3/2A/2 B3/2A/2 B3/2c/2|

d2b2c2a2|B2g3/2f/2 g3/2d/2 B3/2G/2|F3/2G/2 A3/2B/2 c3/2A/2 F3/2A/2|\

[1A3/2G/2 G3/2F/2 G3/2A/2 B3/2c/2:|\

[2A3/2G/2 G3/2F/2 G4|]

 

BIEN AIMÉE, LA.  French, Country Dance (2/4 time). A Major. Standard. AABB. 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. 39.

X:1

T:Bien Aimée, La

M:2/4

L:1/8

S:Daubat – Cent Contredanses en Rond (1757), No. 39

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

eaec | cecA | BE (B/c/d) | caec | cecA | (Bd) (EG) | A2 A,2 :|

|: (.B.c.B.A) | (GBG).E | .e(fed) | .c(ecA) | {b}aeec | fdcB | (ce) (EG) | A2 A,2 :|

 

BIG ALEC’S JIG. Canadian, Jig. Canada, Cape Breton. F Major. Standard. AABB’. Composed by fiddler Jerry Holland (Invernes, Cape Breton). Cranford (Jerry Holland’s), 1995; No. 256, pg. 74.

 


BIG BALL IN TOWN. "Roll On the Ground." Old‑Time, Song Tune. The title composition was the result of The Skillet Licker's marrying of the tune "Roll(ing) on the Ground" with new words. The tune was recorded by J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers, and by West Virginia string band duo the Cumberland Mountain Entertainers (Sam Caplinger & fiddler Andy Patterson {1893‑1950}) in 1928 for Brunswick‑Vocalion (Later the duo moved to Akron, Ohio, and formed the Dixie Harmonizers, who recorded for Gennett). Heritage 048, "Georgia Fiddle Bands" {Brandywine, 1982} (1983).

 

BIG BARNEY(‘S JIG) {Port Bhriain Mhóir}. Scottish, Irish; Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB. Breathnach (CRÉ IV), 1996; No. 7, pg. 4 (appears as “Port Bhriain Mhóir”). Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 3, No. 255, pg. 28.

X:1

T:Big Barney

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 3, No. 255 (c. 1880’s)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

GBd gfe|dec B2c|dBG G2A|BGE E2F|GBd gfe|

dec B2c|dBG ABc|BGG G2||:d|gfg efg|dec BAG|

gfg efg|fdd d2d|efg gfe|dec B2c|dBG ABc|BGG G2:|

 

BIG BEN HORNPIPE. English, Hornpipe. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 61.

X:1

T:Big Ben Hornpipe

M:4/4

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

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

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:B_

F2 | B2 (FB) (3dcB (3AGF | E2g2g2 f>e | d>f d>B c>e c>A | B2 (3dfb A2 (3ceg |

B2 (FB) (3dcB (3AGF | E2g2g2f>e | (3dba (3gfe (3ded (3cBA | B2d2B2 :: F2 |

B>d f>b (b>a) (b>a) | g>^f g>f g2 c>B | A>B c>d e>g f>e | d>^c d>c d2 d>c |

B>d f>b (b>a) (b>a) | F>A c>e g2 f>e | (3dfd B>d (3cec A>c | B2b2B2 :|

           

BIG BEND GALS. Old-Time, Song & Breakdown. From Virginia’s Shelor Family (lyrics courtesy Carl Baron).

***

There’s no use in talking ‘bout the Big Bend Gal,

That lives on the county line;

For Betsy Jane from the prairie plain

Just leaves them way behind.

You never would see such a likely woman,

If you searched out all creation;

She beats the gals from the flat creek bottom,

She’s the queen of the whole plantation.

***

She totes herself like a flying squirrel    [Carl Baron – “probably a reference to a motorcycle”]

And the men folk all come around;

And lord how the dewdrops get off the grass

When she puts her feet upon the ground.

She’s just as ripe as an apple on a tree,

And she looks so pretty and snug;

And her mouth’s just as sweet as a corncob stopper

That comes out of a molasses jug.

***

The calf comes a-loping when the old cow calls,

And the possum dog comes to the horn;

And the grape vine climbs up the tall oak tree,

And the morning glory wraps around the corn.

And a fellow will turn around and come pretty quick,

When he hears that pretty gal laugh;

She hangs on his arm like a bird on a tree

As they both go walking up the path.

***

Her eyes give light like a foxfire chunk,

And her teeth are white as snow;

And the fellers in the cotton patch keep looking back

When they see her come chopping down the row.

She’s gone crowd the hands where the crabgrass grows,

And kill the weeds as she goes;

She skippers up the furrow in a cloud of dust,

As she busts them clods with a hoe.

***

Blue Ridge Institute BRI 005, The Shelor Family – “Virginia Traditions: Blue Ridge Piano Syles.”  RCA – LPV 552, “Early Rural String Bands.”

 

BIG BOTTOM RAG