Annotation:High Betty Martin
X: 1 T:Tip Toe, Pretty Betty Martin M:2/4 L:1/8 B:Ford - Traditional Music in America (1940) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:A AA A,/C/E/C/|DF E2|FD/F/ EC/A,/|DF E2|AA A,/C/E/C/|DF E2|A/A/A/A/ c/A/B/A/|EG A2:| |:e/f/e/d/ cd|ea cd|e/f/e/d/ cA|.B.E A2|e/f/e/d/ cd|ea cd|g/f/e/d/ cA|.B.E A2:|
HIGH, BETTY MARTIN. AKA and see "Tip Toe Pretty Betty Martin," "Betty Martin," "I Pretty Martin," "Old Mother Gofour," "Tip Toe Fine," "Tip Toe Pretty Betty Martin," "Fire on the Mountain (1)," Fire in the Mountain (1)," "Hog Eye (1)" "Granny Will Your Dog Bite? (1)" American, Air and Reel (2/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The title is one of a widespread song and dance tune that has numerous musical and title variants (the song is indexed as Roud #15418), probably dating to the first half of the 19th century. It is also remembered as a play-party and a playground ditty. "The tune and words are traditional and fitted for a sort of jig that finished off a quadrille. It is a lively reminder to [source Cassius] Radford of the days when he was a champion fiddler travelling all over New England. He remembers this tune and jig as one that was indulged in by those who felt the need of cutting an extra flourish and was executed with steps similar to the Highland Fling" (Linscott, 1939).
High, Betty Martin, tip toe, tip toe,
High, Betty Martin, tip toe fine;
Never found a man to suit her fancy,
Never found a man to suit her mind.
See also the closely related Scottish tune "Johnny Get Your Gun (1)".
