Annotation:High Betty Martin

Back to 

 HIGH, BETTY MARTIN. AKA and see "Tip Toe Pretty Betty Martin," "Betty Martin," "Old Mother Gofour," "Fire on the Mountain (1)," Fire in the Mountain (1)," "Hog Eye (1)" "Granny Will Your Dog Bite? (1)" Old-Time, New England; Reel. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. "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)".  Source for notated version: Cassius Radford (Pembroke, N.H.) [Linscott].  Printed sources: Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; p. 58 (appears as "Tip Toe, Pretty Betty Martin"). Linscott (Folk Songs of Old New England), 1939; p. 85.  Recorded sources:

Back to