Annotation:Burbank's Rattlesnake Jig
X:1 T:Burbank's Rattlesnake Jig M:2/4 L:1/8 R:Reel or Sand Jig B:Coes Album of Jigs and Reels, something new, for professional and amateur violinists, B:leaders of orchestras, quadrille bands, and clog, reel and jig dancers; consisting of a B:Grand Collection of entirely New and Original Clog-Hornpipes, Reels, jigs, B:Scotch Reels, Irish Reels and Jigs, Waltzes, Walk-Arounds, etc. (1876, p. 54) N:Coes performed with the San Francisco Minstrels in California from 1852 to 1859. Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:D DC/E/ DC/E/|DC/F/ {F}E/D/C/E/|DC/E/ D(3A/B/c/|d/c/d/B/ A/F/E/F/:| |:(3A/B/c/ d/B/ c/e/z/.c/|A/B/A/G/ F/A/z/B/|(3A/B/c/ d/B/ c/e/e/c/|A/c/e/f/ e/c/A| (3A/B/c/ d/B/ c/e/z/e/|A/B/A/G/ F/A/z/f/|g/e/f/e/ e/c/d/B/|c/A/B/G/ A/F/G/E/!D.C.!:|]
BURBANK'S RATTLESNAKE JIG. American, Reel or Sand Jig (2/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABAA. The title probably refers to blackface minstrel Otto (or Oscar) Burbank, of whom Edward Le Roy Rice mentions in his Monarchs of Minstrelsy (1911, p. 72):
Otto Burbank was one of the best jig dancers in the early minstrel days, likewise a good comedian. He was prominently identified with some of the best minstrel organizations, notably Collins' "Christy" Minstrels, in London, England, in 1862. He died at Peoria, Ill., February 13, 1882.
Burbank also travelled to California where he toured; reviewers at the time called him the best dancer in the state. In 1855 he sailed for Australia in the company of fellow minstrels Charles Backus, Jerry Bryant, and George H. Coes, however, they soon disbanded as they could not secure sufficient patronage.
The Rattlesnake Jig was a series of dance steps performed on the minstrel stage, with each performer showcasing his own variation. Burbank also was known as a tambourine man, positioned at one end of the minstrel lineup.
