Annotation:Five Fingered Joe

Back to Five Fingered Joe

X:1 T:Five Fingered Joe M:2/4 L:1/8 R:Contra Dance Tune B:Elias Howe – Musician’s Omnibus No. 1 (1863, p. 46) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:D F/G/|A2 (B/A/)F/G/|Af d2|ef/e/ Bc|d/c/d/e/ fF/G/| A2 (B/A/)F/G/|Af d2|ef/e/ Bc/d/|dfd:| |:aA/A/ Aa|fd/d/ df|{^g}aA/A/ Aa|(f2 df)| {^g}aA/A/ Aa|fd/d/ df|{^g}aA/A/ Aa|d2 z:||

FIVE FINGERED JOE. American, Polka (2/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The term 'five-fingers' has had a few different meanings in the history of slang. Several hundred years ago it referred to the five of trumps in the game of don or five-card, and more lately, in underworld usage, to a five year prison sentence. The most modern meaning denotes o a thief, one who obtains a 'five-fingered discount' by shoplifting.

Additional notes

Source for notated version: -

Printed sources : - Howe (Musician's Omnibus, No. 1), c. 1863; p. 46. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; p. 81.

Recorded sources: -

Back to Five Fingered Joe