Belle of the Kitchen (1)

<abc float="left"> X:1 T:Belle of the Kitchen [1] M:6/8 L:1/8 R:Jig S:Ryan's Mammoth Collection (1883) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:G GBG EDE | GBd (e2d) | gBB B2A | GEE E2D | GBG EDE | GBd (e2d) | gBB B2A | BGG G2z :: GBd GBd | GBd ede | GBd efg | dcB AGA | GBd efg | dcB AGA | BGD D2d | BGG G2z :||

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BELLE OF THE KITCHEN [1]. AKA and see "Kitty of Coleraine," "New York Jig [3]," "Paddy's Resource [1]," "The Rover [2]." Irish, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Don Meade remarks the tune was printed by O'Neill as "Paddy's Resource," although it is best known now as the "New York Jig." It may be that the "Belles of the Kitchen" title of this tune was in some way associated with the comic play Belles of the Kitchen, performed in the United States at the Union Square Theatre in 1873 by the Vokes Family, three sisters and one brother, who were popular in pantomimes and burlesques in London during the late 1860's and throughout the 1870's. The Vokes had been a theater family for generations, and the celebrated Vokes siblings had been onstage since toddlerhood. The success of the play spawned a number of "Belles of the Kitchen" titles in 1870's popular music, including a galop, polka, and a schottische.

Printed sources: Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; p. 72. Ryan's Mammoth Collection, 1883; p. 102.

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