X:1
T:Whoop from Arkansas, A
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:Reel
N:The reel is an early version of "Rye Straw [1]"
B:Coes Album of Jigs and Reels, something new, for professional and amateur violinists,
B:leaders of orchestras, quadrille bands, and clog, reel and jig dancers; consisting of a
B:Grand Collection of entirely New and Original Clog-Hornpipes, Reels, jigs,
B:Scotch Reels, Irish Reels and Jigs, Waltzes, Walk-Arounds, etc. (1876, p. 51)
N:Coes performed with the San Francisco Minstrels in California from 1852 to 1859.
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:D
.E(3.A/.A/.A/ F(3.A/.A/.A/|E(3.A/.A/.A/ (3.F/.D/.D/ (3.D/.D/.D/|E(3.A/.A/.A/ F(3.A/.A/.A/|1d/f/e/d/ {c}B/A/A/F/:|2 d/f/e/d/ {c}B/A/A:|
|:d/e/f/g/ aa/g/|f/a/g/e/ f/d/d/c/|d/e/f/g/ aa/f/|d/f/e/d/ {c}B/A/A:|
|:e4|d/f/e/d/ {g}f/e/e|e4|d/B/A/F/ {F}E/D/D:|]
WHOOP FROM ARKANSAS (A). American, Reel (2/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BBCC. The tune is an early version of the well-known and widespread (in the South and Midwest) "Rye Straw (1)" AKA - "The Dog in Difficulty", "Joke on the Puppy," "Unfortunate Pup" and other titles, usually scatological in origin and often regarding a canine in distress trying to pass various objects. "A Whoop from Arkansas" may be one more such title. George H. Coes, in whose 1876 collection this appears, was a blackface minstrel performer, musician and composer, and it is possible this tune was part of a minstrel skit, and that the meaning of the title would be a shared coyness with audience (who would be familiar with the 'joke'). It is also possible there was a vocalized or shouted "whoop", sung (or half-sung) on the 'e' half-notes in the third strain.
Additional notes
Printed sources : - George H. Coes (Coes Album of Jigs and Reels, something new, for professional and amateur violinists, leaders of orchestras, quadrille bands, and clog, reel and jig dancers; consisting of a Grand Collection of entirely New and Original Clog-Hornpipes, Reels, jigs, Scotch Reels, Irish Reels and Jigs, Waltzes, Walk-Arounds, etc.), 1876; p. 51.
