Annotation:Blackamoor's Jig (The)
X:1 T:Blackmoor’s Jigg, The M:6/8 L:1/8 R:Jig B:Robert Ross – Choice Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances B:& Strathspeys (Edinburgh, 1780, p. 35) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:Dmin A|d>^cd D2E|F>GA f>gf|e3 c2 f/g/|a>ba g>fe| f>ga A>d^c|d3 D2::E|F>GA c>=BA|GEc C2D| E3 A,2E|F>ED G>FE|F>GA A>d^c|d3 D2:|]
BLACKAMOORE'S JIG, THE. AKA - "Blackmoore's Jigg." Scottish, Jig (6/8 time). 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, p. 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 Cunningham.
