Annotation:Jinny in the Lowlands (1)

|Tune properties and standard notation

 JINNY IN THE LOWLANDS [1]. American, Breakdown. USA, western Pennsylvania. C Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. "This is the air known elsewhere in western Pennsylvania and in southern regions as "Billy in the Lowground (1)" (or "Billy in the Low Lands"). Mr. Martin's version resembles one recorded in Kentucky (Jean Thomas, Devil's Ditties, p. 130), but differs from all known to the editor in its lack of division into two equal parts. Its slight rhythmic irregularity (the bar in 6/4 time) is probably due to corruption. Such irregularities are fairly frequent in versions played by western Pennsylvania folk musicians... Both in the South and in western Pennsylvania the fiddlers give this name to another tune, which may possibly be cognate, but has distinct features of its own (See Bayard, Hill Country Tunes, 1944; No. 5) {Bayard, 1944}.  The tune Bayard refers to is also given here, an untitled reel from another southwestern Pennsylvania source, although it is clearly a version of "Billy in the Lowground (1)." A regional distinction was made between the 'Billy' and 'Jinny' tunes, and they were considered separate, although the similarity in title and the melodic material of the first several bars made for some confusion. Bayard does not conclude the tunes are cognate, and considers that the resemblance may or may not be fortuitous.  Source for notated version: Emery Martin (Dunbar, Pennsylvania, 1943; learned from his father) [Bayard, 1944]; Irvin Yaugher (Fayette County, Pa., 1946; learned from his great-uncle Uriah) [Bayard, 1981].  Printed sources: Bayard (Hill Country Tunes), 1944; No. 4. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 234B, p. 193.  Recorded sources:

|Tune properties and standard notation