The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

_______________________________

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RAO - RAZ

 

 

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]

 

 

 

RAP HALFPENNY REEL, THE. Irish (?), Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 64.

X:1

T:Rap Halfpenny Reel

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Howe1000 Jigs and Reels (c. 1867)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

d/c/ | B/G/F/G/ D/G/F/G/ | B/d/e/f/ g/e/d/c/ | B/G/A/G/ D/G/G | (3e/f/g/ d/B/ Ad/c/ |

B/G/F/G/ D/G/F/G/ | B/d/e/f/ ga/b/ | b/g/a/f/ g/e/f/d/ | (3e/f/g/ d/B/ A :: (3B/c/d |

tr”ee/d/ e/d/B/A/ | B/d/e/f/ g/e/d/c/ | B/G/F/G/ (D/F/G/B/) | (3e/f/g/ d/B/ AB/d/ |

ee/^d/ e/=d/B/A/ | B/d/e/f/ gg/a/ | b/g/a/f/ g/e/f/d/ | (3e/f/g/ d/B/ A :|

 

RAPP-KALLE'S VALTZ. Swedish, Waltz. D Major. Standard. AA'BB'CC'. Source for notated version: Matt Fichtenbaum, 3/1981. Private collection (circulated among contra-dance musicians).

 

RAQUETTEURS, LES (The Snowshoers). French-Canadian, Reel. B Flat Major ('A' part) & G Minor ('B' part). Standard. AA'B. Learned by French-Canadian fiddler Omer Marcoux from a record he found in Quebec. Miskoe & Paul (Omer Marcoux), 1994; pg. 4.

 

RÁSAÍ AN CHURRAIGH.  AKA and see “Curragh Races [1].”

 

RÁSAÍ AN MHUILLINN CHEARR. AKA and see "The Mullingar Races [1]."

 

RASAY HOUSE. Scottish, Slow Reel. E Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by Mr. McLeod of Rasay (Gow, 1817). The present Raasay House, home to Clan MacLeod of the Inner Hebredian Isle of Raasay, west of Skye, was begun in 1746 and is located on heights above the Sound of Raasay looking out to the mountains of Skye. The once-splendid walled garden and house can be seen today, although with an added Georgian style and sandstone frontage added in the 19th century. The structure which preceded it was burned along with nearly every other house on the island after the rebellion of 1745 in punishment for MacLeod support of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

***

The View from Raasay House

***

Dr. Johnson was entertained by the John MacLeod (d. 1786), the Laird of Raasay, at Raasay House in 1773, when, the carpets being rolled back, that worthy was persuaded to dance.

***

Gow (Complete Repository), Part 4, 1817; pg. 20.

X:1

T:Rasay House

M:C

L:1/8
R:Reel

N:”Slow”

S:Gow – 4th Repository  (1817)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E

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

c>B (c/d/e/)d/ (c/B/)(A/G/) (A/G/F/E/)|B,>CE>F {EF}GEE:|

a|{a}g/f/g/a/ b>g (a/g/f/e/) ed/c/|B>ce>g aff g/f/|e2 {d’}e’2 c’>bc’>e’|

~B>c~e>f geea|(g/f/g/a/) b>a g/f/g/a/ b>e|e’>b (c’/b/)(a/g/) gff>g|E2e2 cG B2|

~B>C E>F {EF}GEE||

 

RASAY’S FAVORITE. Scottish, Reel. A Minor. Standard tuning. AB. “Very Old,” states Gow (1817). “Communicated by Himself.” “May be played slow when not danced.” Gow (Complete Repository), Part 4, 1817; pg. 36.

X:1

T:Rasay’s Favorite

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Gow – 4th Repository   (1817)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C

e2 ee {f}e3d|c<c c>e d<d d2|{cd}e2 ee {f}e3d|c>AB>^G A<A A2|e2 ee {f}e3d|

c<c c>e d<d d2|{cd}e2 ee {f}e3d|c>A B>^G A<A A2||~c2 g>e e<e e2|

~c2 g>e ge d2|~c2 ge e<e e>^g|ac e>d cA ~A>B|~c2 ge e<e e2|~c2 ge e<e d>e|

c<c g>e e<e e>~^g|a>c {cd} e>d cA A2||

 


RASHES, THE. AKA and see "Playing Amang the Rashes," "Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation," "The Wee(, Wee) German Lairdie," "Wha the Deil Hae We Gotten for a King?" "The Boyne Water [1]," "The Cavalcade of the Boyne," "When the King Came o'er the (Boyne) Water(s)." Scottish, Air (4/4 time). E Minor. Standard tuning. AB. Gatherer (Gatherer’s Musical Museum), 1987; pg. 26. Wood, Songs of Scotland (1848‑49).

 

RASPBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES. AKA and see "Fraises et les Framboises."

 

RASTUS. AKA and see "Rufus Rastus."

 

RASUS CAS GWENT.  AKA and see “Doncaster Races.”

 

RAT CHEER.  American, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed in breakdown style by Vermont fiddler Pete Sutherland. Some fiddlers believe the title to be a rendering of “Right Here” in thick Southern drawl. Sutherland (Bareface), 1984; pg. 20. Rounder 0172, Bob Carlin – “Where Did You Get That Hat?” (1982).

 

RAT CHEESE UNDER THE HILL. AKA and see "Pike's Peak," "Prosperity Special." Old-Time, Breakdown. C Major. Standard tuning. AB. The title "Rat Cheese Under the Hill" is thought to be a corruption of "Natchez under the Hill" (AKA - "Turkey in the Straw") for which it has been occasionally used as an alternate title. The tune usually played as “Rat Cheese Under the Hill” is the same C major tune that West Virginia fiddler Clark Kessinger recorded as “Pike’s Peak.” The “Pike’s” tune was recorded by Ted Sharp (of Sharp, Hinman and Sharp) under the “Rat Cheese” title. Silberberg (Tunes I Learned at Tractor Tavern), 2002; pg. 127.

See also listing at:

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

                       

RAT IN THE THATCH, THE. AKA and see “James Byrne’s (Reel) [2],” “The Maids of Tullyknockbrine.” Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AA’B. Paul O'Shaughnessy and Paul McGrattan – “Within a Mile of Dublin.”

X:1
T:James Byrne's
T:Maids of Tullyknockbrine, The
T:Rat in the Thatch, The
R:reel
D:Paul McGrattan & Paul O'Shaughnessy: Within a Mile of Dublin
D:De Danann: Jacket of Batteries
Z:id:hn-reel-277
Z:transcribed by henrik.norbeck@mailbox.swipnet.se
M:C|
L:1/8
K:G
G2dG BdGB|dGBd ecAF|G2dG Bcde|1 dBcA BGAF:|2 dBcA BG~G2||
egfg egfe|d2fd Adfd|egfg efga|bgaf geed|
efga bge^c|defg afdB|~G3A Bcde|dBcA BGFA||

                       

RAT UP A DRAINPIPE. Irish, Hornpipe. Learned by Donegal fiddler Caoimhin Mac Aoidh from an in-law and good friend named Vincie McLaughlin of Ballymaguigan, Co

Derry.

                       

RATCATCHER'S DAUGHTER, THE. English, Reel. C Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 147.

                       

RATCATCHER'S REEL. AKA and see "Wide Awake Reel," "Evansville Reel," "Clem Titus Jig," "Peggy Whiffle's." American (?), Reel. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. See also the related “Young Arthur Daly.” Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 17. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg.

X:1

T:Ratcatcher’s Reel

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

E | .E(C/E/) A/c/e/c/ | f/c/e/c/ B/c/A/F/ | .E(F/G/) .A/.c/(3e/f/g/ | a/f/e/c/ B/c/A/F/ |

.E(c/E/) A/c/e/c/ | d/c/B/d/ c/A/F/A/ | .E(F/G/) .A/c/(3e/f/g/ | a/f/e/c/ A :|

|: (3e/f/g/ | a/g/a/b/ a/e/c/e/ | e/c/a/c/ e/a/c/a/ | a/g/a/b/ a/e/c/e/ | g/b/e/g/ b/e/f/g/ |

a/g/a/e/ f/a/e/c/ | d/B/c/A/ B/A/F/A/ | E(F/G/) .A/.c/(3e/f/g/ | a/f/e/c/ A :|

                       

RATCLIFT CROSS. English, (Old) Hornpipe (3/2 time). F Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC. The melody appears in Walsh’s third collection of Lancashire tunes (Lancashire Jiggs, Hornpipes, Joaks, etc.) published arount the year 1730.

X:1

T:Ratclift Cross

B:Walsh

M:3/2

L:1/8 

K:F

f2 c4 Bc A2 F2| d2 Bd GB DF E2 C2|DGBA GFED C2 c2| AFEF CFEG F4::\

cfaf bagf e2 c2| Bdgd gfed c2 B2| Acfc fedc B2 c2| AFEF CFEGF4::\

f2 c2 _egfe dBAB| g2 d2 fagf =ecBc| a2 e2 fagf edcB| AFEF CFDG F4::\

afcf Acfa d2 B2| bgdg Bdgb e2 c2| dBGB DFBd E2 c2| AFEF CFEG F4:\

                       

RATHA FAIR. Scottish, Reel. D Minor/Dorian. Standard. AB (Surenne): ABB (Carlin/Gow, Gow): AABB (Bremner). John Glen (1891) finds the earliest appearance of this tune in Robert Bremner's 1757 collection. Bremner (Scots Reels), 1757; pg. 1. Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 513. Gow (Complete Repository), Part 2, 1802; pg. 33. Surenne (Dance Music of Scotland), 1852; pg. 4.

X:1

T:Ratha Fair

M:C

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Gow – 2nd Repository  (1802)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D Minor

f/g/ | adaf ecge | adag adag | adaf ecge | afge d2 df/g/ | adaf ecge | adag adfa |

gbfa gceg|a>fg>e (d2d)||: e | (cAA>)c GAcG | (cAA>)=B c>ded | (cAA>)c GAcG|(A/=B/c) Ec D3:|

 

RATHAWAUN. AKA and see “The Hare in the Corn [6].” Irish, Double Jig. D Major. Standard. AABB. Sources for notated version: Planxty, Dennis Murphy and Julia Clifford (Co. Kerry) [Sullivan]. Sullivan (Session Tunes), vol. 3; No. 5, pg. 3.

 

RATHCROGHAN REEL. AKA and see “The Floating Crowbar.” Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard. AB. Source for notated version: Brendan Mulvihill (Baltimore, Md.) [Mulvihill]. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 80, pg. 21.

 

RATHER OLD WALTZ. Old‑Time, Waltz. USA. F Major. Standard. AB. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, vol. 2), 1984; pg. 150.

 

RATHKEALE HUNT. AKA and see "Boil the Kettle Early," "The Brown Red Girl," "The Connachtman's Rambles [1]," "The Kilfinane Reel," "Kitty got a clinking (coming from the races) [1]," "The Ladies Tight Dress," “Ladies Top Dress,” "The Lady on the Railroad," "The Listowel Lasses," "Love among the Roses," "Maureen Playboy," "McCaffrey's Reel," "Old Molly Ahern," "Piper's Lass," "Punch for the Ladies [2]," "The Railway Station," "Roll her on the banks," "Rolling on the Ryegrass," "Shannon Breeze [1]," "Sean‑Mhaire Ni Eachthighearn," "Strac an mhuc an Ieine," "The Telegraph," "What the Devil Ails You/Him?" Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard. AABC. A three-part rendering of the “Piper’s Lass”/”Rolling on the Ryegrass” tune family. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 23. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 49.

X:1

T:Rathkeale Hunt

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

(A/G/) | .F(A/F/) D/F/A/F/ | .G(B/G/) d/G/B/G/ | .F(A/F/) D/F/A/=c/ | B/G/F/>G/ ED |

.F(A/F/) D/F/A/F/ | .G(3B/A/G/ d/G/B/G/ | F/G/A/F/ D/F/A/c/ | B/G/F/>G/ ED ||

A/c/d/>e/ .f(f/a/) | g/e/{g}f/d/ e/d/B/d/ | A/c/d/>e/ {g}f/e/f/g/ | a/f/d/f/ ed |

A/c/d/>e/ {g}.f(f/a/) | g/e/{g}f/d/ e/d/B/d/ | A/c/d/>e/ {g}f/e/f/g/ | a/f/d/f/ ed || 

.A(A/c/) B/A/G/F/ | G/A/B/c/ d/B/A/G/ | F/A/A/c/ B/F/G/B/ | A/F/D/F/ ED |

F/A/A/c/ B/A/G/F/ | G/A/B/c/ d/B/A/G/ | F/G/A/c/ B/F/G/B/ | A/G/F/G/ ED ||

                          

RATHLIN ISLAND. Irish, Air. A Dorian. Standard. AABB. Rathlin Island, Antrim, is one of several islands between Ireland and Kintyre. It served as the refuge of Robert Bruce in 1306, and it is said that it was on Rathlin that he saw a spider rebuilding its web that suggested to him to consider trying again to struggle towards a successful rebellion against the English. Green Linnet GLCD 1128, Brendan Mulvihill & Donna Long - “The Morning Dew” (1993. Learned from a reel-to-reel recording of Sean McGuire given by Jack Brennan). Green Linnet SIF 3116, Sharon Shannon – “Each Little Thing.”

X:1

T:Rathlin Island

C:Peter Browne?

R:reel

S:J\"orgen Fischer

D:Sharon Shannon: Each Little Thing

D:Michael McGoldrick: Morning Rory

D:Dervish: Playing with Fire

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

M:C|

K:Ador

e2dB eA~A2|e2dA AGBd|e2dB eA~A2|d2Bd BA~A2:|

|:A2AB EGBG|~A3B de~e2|AGAB dGBd|eged BA~A2:|

"variations"

|:egdB eA~A2|eBdB GABd|e2dB eA~A2|dged BA~A2:|

|:~A3B EG~G2|AGAB dedB|AGAB dG (3Bcd|eged BA~A2:|

|:e2dg eA~A2|eged BA (3Bcd|e2dg eA~A2|1 dged BA (3Bcd:|2

dged BAGB||

|:AGAB EG~G2|AGAB dedB|AGAB ~E3d|1 eged BAGB:|2 eged

BA (3Bcd||

                       

RATHSALLAGH HORNPIPE. Irish, Hornpipe. D Major. Standard. AABB. Composed by Falmouth, Massachusetts, musician and writer Bill Black.

X: 1

T: Rathsallagh Hornpipe

M: 4/4

L: 1/8

C: © B. Black

N: “We were recently at a family wedding in Ireland that was held at a

N: place called Rathsallagh House in Co. Wicklow. Beautiful spot and

N: the folks in charge couldn't have been nicer. This hornpipe was

N: more or less the unofficial wedding tune - it sounded lovely in the

N: church (which overlooked the infamous Dunlavin Green, peaceful

N: enough now).”

R: hornpipe

K: D

D2 | FGAB AFDF | Addc B2 Bc | defd efdB | Addc BAFE |

FGAB AFDF | Addc d2 de | fagf edBG | Adce d2 :|

de | fedf edce | dcAG A2 AB | =cGEG cedB | AFEF D2 de |

fedf edce | defg a4 | bgaf (3efg dB | AFEF D2 :|

                       

RATS GONE TO REST. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Kentucky. G Major. From Kentucky fiddler George Lee Hawkins. Mark Wilson writes that Hawkins learned this Bath County, Ky., tune as a boy around 1915 from an African-American farm worker named Bill Trumbo. Hawkins was a good fiddler by all reports, and learned complicated hornpipe pieces from fiddlers in Ohio and Indiana. When naming the tune he always appended as an aside “…with D-Con” (a pesticide). Jeff Titon (2001) notes the low part is similar to Lowe Stokes’ “Citaco.” Source for notated version: George Hawkins (1904-1991, Bethel, Bath County, Ky., 1974) [Titon]. Titon (Old Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes), 2001; No. 134, pg. 161. Rounder CD 0376, George Hawkins (et al) – “Traditional Fiddle Music of Kentucky, Vol. 1: Up the Ohio and Licking Rivers” (1997). Rounder Heritage Series 1166-11592-2, George Hawkins (et al) – “The Art of Traditional Fiddle” (2001).

                       

RATS IN THE MEAL BARREL. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Mississippi. G Major. GDGD. AABB. Similar to another Alabama/Mississippi tune, "Wolves a Howlin'." The source for the tune, Tishomingo County, Mississippi, fiddler John Brown (b. circa 1872), learned the tune from his father in Itawamba County, Mississippi. The tune was also collected from another Tishomingo County fiddler, but, other than that, the title has not been reported, states Tom Rankin (1985). Mississippi Department of Archives and History AH‑002, John Alexander Brown ‑ "Great Big Yam Potatoes: Anglo‑American Fiddle Music from Mississippi" (1985. Originally recorded for the Library of Congress in 1939).

 

RATS QUADRILLES, THE. English, Quadrilles (2/4 time). Group of three dance figures, all in duple time.

1) D Major. ABACA.

2) L'Ete. D Major. AB

5) Finale. G Major. AABAA.

Trim (Thomas Hardy), 1990; No. 85.

 

RATTIGAN’S REEL [1]. AKA and see “Rags and Tatters,” “Redican’s (Reel) [2].” Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard. AABB. The title refers to Dublin born Irish-American musician Larry Redican (1908-1975). Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), vol. 1, No. 45. Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; No. 79, pg. 155.

 

RATTIGAN’S REEL [2]. AKA and see “Lafferty’s,” Irish, Reel. A Sean Ryan composition under the title “Lafferty’s.” Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), vol. 3, No. 3.

 

RATTIGAN’S REEL [3]. AKA and see “Micho Russell’s Favorite [1].” Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard. AB. Lesl Harker says she has the title “Rattigan’s” from flute player L.E. McCullough. Source for notated version: New Jersey flute player Mike Rafferty, born in Ballinakill, Co. Galway, in 1926 [Harker]. Harker (300 Tunes from Mike Rafferty), 2005; No. 110.

 

RATTLE DOWN THE ACORNS. See "Rattlin' Down the Acorns."

 

RATTLE THE BOTTLES [1]. AKA and see “Captain O’Neill,” “Lads and Lasses [2],” "Rowan Tree [1]," "Push About the Jorum [1]," "McClellantown Hornpipe" (Pennsylvania). Scottish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AB (Cole/Ryan): AABB (Kennedy). Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 48. Kennedy (Traditional Dance Music of Britain and Ireland: Reels and Rants), 1997; No. 167, pg. 39. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 75.

X:1

T:Rattle the Bottles [1]

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

e | dBAG FAAc | BGBd (ef/g/) (fe) | dBAG FAAc | BdAc BGGe | dBAG FAAc |

BGBd (ef/g/) (fe) | dBAG FAAc | BdAc BGG || d | g2 (fg) afdf | ggfg a2 (ga) |

bagf gfed | (eg)fa g2 gd | g2 (fg) afdf | ggfg a2(ga) | bagf gfed | (eg)fa g2g ||

 

RATTLE THE BOTTLES [2].  Scottish, Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AABBCCDD. Petrie (Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances), c. 1790; pg. 12.

X:1

T:Rattle the Bottles [2]

C:Trad., Irish

S:Petrie's Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances &c., 1790

Z:Steve Wyrick <sjwyrick'at'astound'dot'net>, 3/19/04

N:Petrie's First Collection, page 12

L:1/8

M:6/8

R:Jig

K:D

(A/B/4c/4)|d2d  cBA | BAG  FED | d>ed cBA | BAF ABc | dfd cec | {c}BAG TFEF |

D/D/DD D/D/DD | (TBAF)  E2 :: f | d2f a2f | b2g  afd | d2 f/g/ afa | cea  ecA |

d3/2(e/f/g/ a)fa | bgb  afa | gbf efd | ABc d2 :: A | FAD FAD | GBD GBD | FED AFD |

EFD ECA, | FAD FAD | GBD GBd | cba gfe | ddd d2 :: f/g/ | afd afd | bag fge | dfg agf |

edc BcA | FAd Ace | dfa  dgb | agf gfe | d/d/dd d2 :|

 

RATTLE THE CASH. American, Irish, English; Slide or Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The tune was used for a single step dance in the North‑West (England) morris dance tradition. Kerr identifies it as Irish. ‘Rattle the Cash’ was the name of at least one bay stud, bequeathed in the will of Frances Wren in 1808, late the resident of Wilkinson County, Mississippi Territory. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 77. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 2; No. 239, pg. 26. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 110. Wade (Mally’s North West Morris Book), 1988; pg. 25.

X:1

T:Rattle the Cash

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 2, No. 239

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

D | G2B BGB | c2c c2A | G2B BGB | A2A A2D | G2B BGB | c2c c2A | dBG cAF | G2G G2 :|

|: d | g2g gec | c2c c2c | a2a afd | d2d d2d | g2g gec | c2c c2c | BGB cAF | G2G G2 :|

 

RATTLE THE PEAS (Croith na Piseanna). Irish, Single Jig (12/8 time). D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: fiddler and uilleann piper Stephen Grier (Farnaght, Co. Leitrim), who wrote his manuscripts in the 1880's  [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ IV), 1996; No. 72, pg. 35.

 


RATTLE THE QUILT (TO PIECES) {Corraigh an Chuilt}. AKA and see "General White's Jig," "Kennedy's Jig," "The Misfortunate Rake," "(Next) Sunday is/was My Wedding Day," "An Piobaire Caoch," "The Shamrock (Reel) [1], "The Squint‑eyed Piper "The Unfortunate Rake [2]," "Apples in Winter [1]." Irish, Jig. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. “Apples in Winter” and “Katy is Waiting” are related tunes. Source for notated version: Kerry fiddler Denis Murphy [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ V), 1999; No. 53, pg. 26. Treoir, vol. 2, No. 3; pg. 12 (appears as “Tom Billy’s Jig [5]”). Whirling Discs WHRL001, Dervish – “Harmony Hill.”

 

RATTLER, THE. English, Reel. England, North‑West. D Major ('A' part) & B Minor/A Major ('B' part). Standard tuning. AABB. Knowles (Northern Frisk), 1988; No. 55.

 

RATTLER TREED A POSSUM. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Arkansas. ADad tuning. Copper Creek CCCD-0196, Tom, Brad & Alice – “We’ll Die in the Pig Pen Fighting.” County 519, Reaves White County Ramblers ‑ "Echoes of the Ozarks, vol. 2."

 

RATTLESNAKE. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA; Missouri, Arizona. A Major. AEae tuning. ABB. Kartchner identified the tune as "very old, from the South," and Mark Wilson says it “pops up occasionally in the repertory of older fiddlers elsewhere (i.e. other than Missouri) in the South.” It perhaps may have some association with the ‘Rattlesnake Jig’, a blackface minstrel step that was mentioned by Hans Nathan (Dan Emmett and Negro Minstrelsy, Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 1962, pg. 93).

***

While perhaps not directly related to the tune, it should perhaps be mentioned here that it has been a custom among some old-time fiddlers to keep the rattle from a rattlesnake inside their fiddle. No one seems to know exactly why this tradition began, although there have been numerous speculations. One fiddler from Texas said that it stemmed from the denunciation of a preacher, who complained that fiddlers were collecting the spare money from the community for playing dances on Saturday night, leaving the Sunday collection plates dry. This to him was a sign that "the devil's in the fiddle." Fiddlers responded by placing the rattle inside the instrument to scare the devil off. Another fiddler maintains that the custom derived from a time when fiddles were kept in old feed or grain sacks that were prone to attracting mice and rats; the rattlesnake rattles would repel the rodents and protect the instrument from gnawing. Others speculate that the rattles bring good luck, or that they serve the purpose of collecting dust as they roll around inside the fiddle, or that they are kept because of a desirable buzzing sound that emanates from the soundbox when the instrument is played.

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See also the related "Hangman's Reel [1]." Source for notated version: Arizona fiddler Kenner C. Kartchner [Phillips, Shumway]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), Vol. 1, 1994; pg. 194. Shumway (Frontier Fiddler), 1990; pg. 269. Okehdodee OK75003, Kenner Karchner – “The New Beehive Songster vol. 1: Early Recordings of Pioneer Folk Music.” Rounder CD 0432, Bob Holt – “Got a Little Home to Go to.” Rounder Heritage Series 1166-11592-2, Bob Holt (et al) – “The Art of Traditional Fiddle” (2001). Yodel-Ay-Hee 020, Rafe Stefanini & Bob Herring - "Old Paint."

 

RATTLESNAKE BIT THE BABY. AKA and see "Katy Did [2],” "Boston Boy," “Ladies in the Ballroom [2],” "Take Me Back to Georgia" (Lowe Stokes). Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA. C Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The title appears to be mandolinist Kenny Halls, but is better-known under the name Lowe Stokes recorded it, “Take Me Back to Georgia.” See also the related tunes "Pateroller (Song) [2]," "Pat the Budgie," "Rocky Pallet," "Wild John” and Gene Goforth’s “Black River." Source for notated version: Kenny Hall (California) [Kuntz].

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Rattlesnake Bit the Baby, foreign girls drive me crazy,

Rattlesnake Bit the Baby, ha, ha, ha, the baby.

***

Frankie shot Albert, Frankie shot Albert,

Frankie shot Albert, ha, ha, ha, Albert.

***

Tadly shot Homer, Tadly shot Homer,

Tadly shot Homer, ha, ha, ha, Homer.

***

Tadly smashed Homer, Tadly smashed Homer,

Tadly smashed Homer, ha, ha, ha, Homer.  (Kenny Hall)

***

Kuntz (Ragged but Right), 1987; pg. 355‑356. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 195. County 727, John Ashby and the Free State Ramblers – “Old Virginia Fiddling.” Marimac 9057,  Vesta Johnson – “Blue Flame” (1994). Voyager 328, "Kenny Hall and the Long Haul String Band" (Learned from Hank Bradley via Harry Liedstrand).

X:1

T:Rattlesnake Bit the Baby

L:1/8

M:2/4

B:Kuntz – Ragged but Right

K:C

[ee][ee] [c>e>][ce]|a(g g>)(B|B/)c/B/A/ G>G|d(c c>)e|[ee][ee] [c>e>][ce]|

a(g g>)(B|B/)c/B/A/ G>G|d(c c>)(e|e/)[d/e/][e/e/][d/e/] [c>e>][ce]|

a(g g<)(c’|c’/)a/g/e/ a/g/e|c>d c2||

CC/D/ E/C/D/E/|F/E/F/G/ A/c/B/A/|G/A/B/c/ d/c/B/d/|c/B/c/d/ c/A/G/E/|

C/B,/C/D/ E/C/D/E/|F/E/F/G/ A/c/B/A/|G/A/B/c/ d/c/B|1 [E>c>][Ec] [Ec](3G,A,B,:|2

[E>c>][Ed] [E2c2]||

                       

RATTLESNAKE DADDY. Old-Time, Breakdown. Played by the Mississippi band Ming’s Pep Steppers, led by fiddler Hoyt Ming. Ming’s son, Hoyt B. Ming, remembered that the band was asked to audition for a small part in the 1975 movie Ode to Billy Joe:

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In the movie, we played ‘Rattlesnake Daddy’ so it could

be copyrighted. When Dad heard the movie was going to

have nudity, he was very upset. He told me that he prayed

they would not show his scene. Dad was a Steward in the

Methodist Church, did not drink, and did not curse. He was

very straight. They cut out our scenes but left the tune. Anyway,

not only did the movie have partial nudity, but the nudity was

shown with our tune as background music. I saw the movie and

never told him. It seems that no one else told him as he never

mentioned it as long as he lived. (Old Time Herald, Spring 2001;vol.7, No. 7, pg. 3).

                       

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

 

RATTLIN' BOG, THE. AKA and see "The Bog Down in the Valley‑O." Irish, Polka: English, Morris Dance Tune (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. There are some similarities between this tune and the Scots melody “John McAlpin(e).” The tune is used for a polka step in the North‑West (England) morris dance tradition. Tubridy (Irish Traditional Music, vol. 1), 1999; pg. 10. Wade (Mally’s North West Morris Book), 1988; pg. 13.

X:1

T:Rattlin’ Bog

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Polka

K:D

d|:f2 fe|dB B2|Ad de|fe ed|f2 fe|dB B2|Aa af|1 ed de:|2 ed d>e||

|:fd ed/e/|fd ed/e/|fa af|ed e2|fd ed/e/|fd ed/e/|fa af|1 ed d2:|2 ed d2||

 


RATTLIN' DOWN THE ACORNS [1]. AKA and see "Flattening the Acres,” “Shaking Down the Acorns [1]." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Kentucky. D Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB'. Clyde Davenport (b. ) learned this tune from his father and is the sole source for the melody. The title was mentioned in a 1931 account of a LaFollette, northeast Tenn, fiddle contest and appears on the tune lists of the 1914 Berea, Kentucky, fiddle contest. The are similar sounding titles, however, leading to some confusion. “Shake Them Acorns Down,” for example is a title that also appears in the Berea tune lists, and “Shaking Down the Acorns” is a frequently played and recorded old-time title, but not necessarily the same tunes. “Rattlin’ Down the Acorns” [1] is not related to “Shaking Down the Acorns” as played by Burl Hammons, for example. Source for notated versions: Clyde Davenport (Monticello, Wayne County, Ky., 1990) [Phillips, Titon]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, vol. 1), 1994; pg. 195. Titon (Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes), 2001; No. 135, pg. 161. County 786, "Traditional Music From the Cumberland Plateau, vol. 1." Heritage XXXIII, Delbert Hughes (outside Charleston, W.Va. He was born and raised in Stearns, Ky.) ‑ "Visits" (1981).

 

RATTLE/RATTLIN' DOWN THE ACORNS [2]. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA; northeast Tenn., southeastern Ky. A Dorian.

 

RATTLING, ROARING WILLIE. AKA and see "Rantin' Roarin' Willy," “Roaring Willie’s Jig,” "Mr. Robertson of Ladykirk's Delight," "The Mitford Galloway," "Tom Nokes' Jig," "Come Open the Door, Sweet Betty". AKA – “Am Porst Crom” (The Curved Harbour). Scottish, English; Slip Jig. England, Northumberland. A Mixolydian (Gow, Hunter, Kerr): D Mixolydian (Alburger, Kennedy, Vickers): G Mixolydian (Martin, Neil, Stokoe & Bruce). Standard tuning. One part (Alburger, Martin, Neil): AB (Stokoe): AABB (Gow, Hunter, Kennedy, Kerr): AABBCC (Vickers).  The tune is old, appearing in the Blakie Manuscript (1692). It was supposed to have been composed by John Cowan, who, according to Robert Riddell (d. 1794) was : "a very noted performer on the Fiddle, at Newton Stewart in Galloway. He died (as I have been informed,) before the middle of the present Century, having obtained longevity in its plentitude. Old Peter MacNaughtan Fiddler at Monniehive [Moniave] told me he was taught by John Cowan about the year 1725, and he was then an old man" (Alburger, 1983). Directions for the dance to this tune were written down by John McGill in 1752, dancing master in Girvan, for his students. Robert Burns wrote the words for the tune which appear in Johnson's Scots Musical Museum and tell the tale of a protagonist who is claimed to be the same character who is the subject of the Border ballad entitled "Rattlin' Willie".  The air he collected is from Atkinson’s 1694 manuscript.

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Rattlin