29 Jun
2013
29 Jun
'13
12:10 a.m.
On Fri, 28 Jun 2013 16:05:58 -0700, Alan Winston wrote:
The Bishop (gypsy is historically questionable)
(If your fiddler doesn't like any of those tunes - and I hear "the
Bishop" can be a bear to play - it would be period practice to use
the figures with a different tune.)
It's not just the gypsy - the whole modern reconstruction is
historically questionable! The original wording is:
The 1st Gent cast off and turn the 3rd Lady.
1st Lady cast off and turn the 3d Gent.
Lead thro' the top and cast off.
Hands 6 quite round.
I believe gates are a 20th century invention (along with double figure
eight and draw poussette), and as you can see it's a full circle
rather than two half circles punctuated by other moves.
I imagine Alan is referring to "Miss Dolland's Delight" - the tune set
to it by the reconstructors - with the syncopation. The original tune
is a lively jig reminiscent of "Daisy Bell", so maybe your fiddler
would prefer that and it would be historically accurate.
Colin Hume
Email colin(a)colinhume.com Web site http://www.colinhume.com