Annotation:Maid in the Pump Room (1)

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MAID IN THE PUMP-ROOM. New England, Hornpipe or Reel. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. "In England the room or building at a spa or mineral spring where water was dispensed for drinking was called a pump room. In the New England home, the pump room was the 'cool pantry', later known as the 'butt'ry', and was often used for dairy purposes. It was not uncommon on the New England farm to have the water conveniently brought to the shelter of the house ell, where the well or spring water could be pumped for general use" (Linscott, 1939). The title could still be a double-entendre. Burchenal (1918) prints a country dance by the same name along with the tune.

Source for notated version: Dennis McClure (Willimantic, Conn.) [Linscott].

Printed sources: Burchenal (American Country Dances, vol. 1), 1918; p. 24. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; p. 108. Linscott (Folk Songs of Old New England), 1939; p. 95. Ryan's Mammoth Collection, 1883; p. 144.

Recorded sources:

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