Annotation:Sword Dancers' Song (The)
X:1 T:Sword Dancers' Song, The M:C L:1/8 R:Air S:Bruce & Stokoe – Northumbrian Minstrelsy (1882) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion Q:"Adantino" K:G d2|e2c2d2B2|G6 G2|B2d2=f2f2|c6B2|c3d eg3|d6B2|G2B2c2A2|G6||
SWORD DANCER'S SONG, THE. English, Air (4/4 time). England, Northumberland. G Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). One part. "The sword dancers' song and interlude is virtually a drama, which Brand supposed to be a composition made up of the gleaning of several obsolete customs anciently followed in England and other countries. Sir Cuthbert Sharp, in The Bishoprick Garland, gives a version of the drama, but the action and speeches have varied from time to time; and even at this day parties of from six to ten pitmen decorated with ribbons, and each having a sword make their appearance about Christmas time, and perform this descriptive play, which one of the party chants to the tune above. At the termination of the play the whole party dance the sword dance to the following tune, commonly called 'Kitty Bo Bo'" (Bruce & Stokoe).
There is at least one other, different, tune from northeast England called "Kitty Bo-Bo," in 3/4 time.
