Blackamoor's Jig (The)

X:1 T:Blackamoore's Jig, The M:6/8 L:1/8 R:Jig B:McGlashan - Collection of Scots Measures (c. 1780) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:Dmin f|d^cd D2E|F>GA fgf|e3 c2e|f>ga gfe|f>ga Ad^c|d3 D2f|d^cd D2E| FGA fgf|e3 c2g|a>ba gfe|f>ga Ad^c|d3 D2||E|F>G/A/=B/ cBA| Gec C2D|E3 A,2 E|FED GFE|FED Ad^c|d3 D2:||

 BLACKAMOORE'S JIG, THE. Scottish (?), Jig. D Minor. Standard tuning (fiddle). ABB. In the olden days travellers were acquainted with two types of Africans, the tawny-colored people of North Africa, the Moors, and the black natives of the interior, whom they called 'blackamoors'. The Blackamoor was a not uncommon inn sign in old Britain (Hackwood, 1985). The following is from John Galt's Sir Andrew Wiley of that ilk (1877, pg. 213):

" Oh, naething," replied Andrew, " but that I'll get Miss Mary another partner, which will leave me free to dance the Scotch measure or the Blackamoor's jig wi' you, Miss Mizy. Eh ! what a wonder it will be to a' the company to see you and me louping and flinging like the witches in Alloway Kirk ! " And after these words he scudded from them through the crowd towards a young nobleman with whom he was acquainted, equally remarkable for the beauty of his person, his self-conceit, and shallow understanding, and inquired if he would dance with Miss Cun- ningham. Printed source: McGlashan (Collection of Scots Measures), c. 1780; p. 22. Ross (Choice Selection of Scots, Reels,Country Dances & Strathspeys), 1780; p. 35 (appears as "Blackmoor's Jig"). __NORICHEDITOR__