Czar of Russia's Favorite

 CZAR OF RUSSIA'S FAVORITE. AKA and see "West's Hornpipe." American, Hornpipe. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The Czar of Russia just prior to the tunes publication in 1883 by Boston publisher Elias Howe (Ryan's Mammoth Collection) was Alexander II (1818–81), who sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. After his assassination he was succeeded by his son, Alexander III (1845–94). The hornpipe perhaps commemorates one or the other. However, the melody is printed in Kerr's Merry Melodies vol. 1 as "West's Hornpipe," a title N.Y. musician and researcher Don Meade suggests may refer to the dancing partner of American variety stage performer Johnnie Queen (who toured Britain in the 1880's). Charles Gore dates "Wests" to a c. 1790 publication, so perhaps there is an ancestral tune and title to be found, with both "Czar of Russia" and "West's" titles becoming attached much later. Source for notated version: James Bryan (Ala.) [Phillips]. Printed sources: Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; p. 114. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; p. 189. Ryan's Mammoth Collection, 1883; p. 151. Recorded source: Rounder 0175, James Bryan - "Lookout Blues" (1983).

X:1 T:Czar of Russian's Favorite M:C| L:1/8 R:Hornipe S:Ryan's Mammoth Collection (1883) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:F [A2f2] AB cAcA | [A2f2]AB cAcA | dcBA G2(ga) | bgaf fedc | [A2f2]AB cAcA | [A2f2]AB cAcA | dcBA G2(ga) | bgfe f2z2 :: a2 fa fafa | gee g egeg | a2 fa fafa | gfed {d}c2 cd | fdfd ecec | fdfd ecec | fagf edc=B |1 cGEG Cefg :|2 cGEG Cgfe ||

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