Annotation:New Figary (The)

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NEW FIGARY, THE. AKA and see "Lady Caseltons Delight," "New Vagary (The)." English, Country Dance Tune (2/2 time, 'A' and 'B' parts; 6/8 time, 'C' and 'D' parts). B Flat Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). ABCD. A 'new figary', like 'new vagary' was a euphemism for a 'new idea' or a 'new fad', as illustrated in this passage from Louisa May Alcott's book Rose in Bloom:

She made light of the cause of Rose's displeasure, considering her extremely foolish and straitlaced, "for all young men of any spirit had their little vices, and came out well enough when the wild oats were sowed." So she indulged Charlie in his new vagary, as she had in all his others, and treated him like an ill-used being, which was neither an inspiring nor helpful course on her part.

The tune and dance ("Longways for as many as will") was first published in John Playford's Dancing Master, supplement to the 3rd edition, 1665, as "#47," with "The New Figgary" given as an alternate title. Thereafter, the Playfords (John and son, Henry) printed it as "New Vagarie (The)/New Vagary (The)" [1]. In Playford's Apollo's Banquet (1670) the title is given as "The New Vagary, or Lady Caseltons Delight."

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Barlow (The Complete Country Dance Tunes from Playford's Dancing Master), 1985; No. 184, p. 50. Sharp (Country Dance Tunes), 1909; p. 38.

Recorded sources:

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