Herr Smith

Most folks know this tune as "Herr Schmidt." Harvey "Pappy" Taylor used to play it at the Midway Tavern outside of Effingham, IL. The folks in there loved to dance and everyone knew the dance that went with the tune. The 1st part has couples facing each other with joined hands. With the music they hop in a manner like the heel & toe polka. The second part is a polka, and the couple does polka steps. Then repeat. I forget if the partners change. Chubby Wise recorded this tune on "Chubby Wise Plays Polkas," Stoneway Records STY-118, LP (1972). One of the earlier recordings that I came across is by Freddie "Schnikelfritz" Fisher & His Orchestra, Decca 45067 (64280) released in 1938. This record may be heard at the Internet Archive.