Annotation:Boatman's Dance (2)
X:1 T:Boatman's Dance [2] M:C L:1/8 R:Sand Jig S:Kerr - Merry Melodies, vol. 2, No. 400 (c. 1880's) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:G D2|G>FG>B d2d2|e2e2 d4|e2d2B2G2|B2A2 (3fed (3cBA| G>FG>B d2d2|e2e2d4|e2d2 gdBG|B2A2G2:| |:d2|g2f2e2d2|e2d2B4|e2d2 cBAG|FAag (3fed (3cBA| G>FG>B d2d2|e2e2 d4|e2d2 gdBG|B2A2G2:||
BOATMAN'S DANCE [2]. AKA and see "Polka (29)," "Rosa Lee." American, "Sand Jig" (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Despite its appearance in a Scottish publication, the tune's provenance is probably American. A 'sand jig' is a type of duple-rhythm tune meant as a vehicle for a solo stage dance like a clog or step dance. The stage would be sanded to facilitate one's shoe sliding for the steps. Researcher Conor Ward finds the tune to be the air of the minstrel song "Rosa Lee," and also finds a version as an untitled polka (see "Polka (29)") in the 1883 music manuscript collection of Country Leitrim musician biography:Stephen Grier.
