X: 1
T: 58. THE SNOUTS AND EARS OF AMERICA
B: Sam Bayard, "Hill Country Tunes" 1944 #58
S: Played by Mrs Sarah Armstrong, (near) Derry, PA, Nov 5, 1943.
N: The title of this fine, spirited tune may not be a corruption, but as it stands it is
N: incomprehensible. The editor knows of no other version; but it is not impossible that
N: the air is a derivative of the familiar "Irish Washerwoman" tune, recase in 4/4 time,
N: and with the order of parts reversed. If so, it makes a distinct improvement on the
N: original melody.
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
Z: 2010 John Chambers <jc:trillian.mit.edu>
F:http://www.john-chambers.us/~jc/music/book/HillCountryTunes/58_SnoutsAndEarsOfAmerica_D.abc
K: D
A2 |\
d2D2 D2D2 | F2A2 d2ed | c2A2 ABcd e2A2 A2Bc |
dcBA G2F2 | E2[A2D2] ABAG | F2D2 E2DE | F2D2 D2 :: D2 |
F2D2 D2D2 | F2D2 [A2D2]BA | G2[E2A,2] [E2A,2][E2A,2] | A2d2 d2AG |
F2D2 D2D2 | F2A2 A2BA | G2E2 A3G | F2D2 D2 :|
SNOUTS AND EARS OF AMERICA, THE. American, Quickmarch or Reel (whole time). USA, Pennsylvania. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Bayard (1944) knew of only this version of the tune but noted that it was possible it was a derivative of the familiar jig "Irish Washerwoman (1)" recast in 4/4 time, and with the order of parts reversed. Editorializing, he thought it made a distinct improvement on the suspected original melody. Breathnach (1976) also noted the similarity. The similarity is most noticeable in the second strain, however the tunes are not cognate and do not seem (to me) to be particularly derivative. Mrs. Sarah Armstrong However, "Snouts and Ears" seems to be more directly derivative of the 18th century Scottish country dance "East Neuk of Fife."
Additional notes Source for notated version : - Mrs. Sarah Armstrong, 1943 (Derry, Pennsylvania) [Bayard].
