Annotation:Merry Jack

Find traditional instrumental music

Back to Merry Jack


MERRY JACK. English, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. A 'merry jack' is a children's toy, sometimes known as 'monkey-up-a-stick', although its connection with the title, if any, is unknown. This melody, like many in Charles and Samuel Thompson's 1757 collection, first appears in John Johnson's 200 Favourite Country Dances, vol. 7 (London, 1756).

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Thompson (Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, vol. 1), 1757; No. 90.

Recorded sources:




Back to Merry Jack