Annotation:Cock and Hen (1) (The)
X:1 T:Cock and Hen [1], The M:6/8 L:1/8 R:Air Q:"Playfully" S:O'Neill - Music of Ireland (1903), No. 567 Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:G d/c/|BAB GAB|cBc d2g|cAA BGG|cAA A2 d/c/| BAB GAB|cBc d2g|fdd c2A|BGG G2|| B/A/|GBd gfg|agf g2e|ddc BAB|cAA A2 d/c/| BAB GAB|cBc d2g|fdd c2A|BGG G2||
COCK AND HEN [1], THE (An Coileac agus an Cearc). Irish, Air (6/8 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. While it may have no connection with the title of this tune, the 18th century was famous for its clubs among all classes in England (and no reason not to believe Ireland as well). Some of these clubs were called "Cock and Hen" or "Chair" clubs, according to Liza Picard (Dr. Johnson's London, 2000), who describes:
At each end of a long table was a chair, one for a young man, the other for a girl. The evening began at eight, and wore on with drinking, smoking, swearing and singing 'flash songs'. 'The boys and girls paired off by degrees till by twelve none remained. (p. 131)
