Annotation:Headington Morris Reel

Find traditional instrumental music

Back to Headington Morris Reel


HEADINGTON MORRIS REEL. AKA and see "Morris Reel (2)." English, Morris Dance Tune (4/4 or 2/2 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB (x4), A. From the village of Headington, in England's Cotswolds. A dance and tune collected from dancers in the village of Headington (Oxfordshire), in England's Cotswolds. Collector Cecil Sharp met anglo-concertina player William Kimber (1872-1961) the day after Christmas (Boxing Day), in 1899, playing for the Headington Quarry Morris Dancers. Kimber called "The Morris Reel (1)" by the title "Bold Huzzar (The)", although at times he also used a version of "Soldier's Joy" for the dance (recorded on HMV B.9672 in 1948.

Headington Quarry morris dancers, c. 1895 [1]

Sharp's visit helped trigger his interest in English folk dance, which in turn led to a revival of traditional tunes and dances. Kimber was still playing when he was recorded in 1946 and 1948 in the studio by Douglas Kennedy, and later (in the 1950's) by Peter Kennedy.

William Kimber



Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; p. 189. Mallinson (Mally's Cotswold Morris Book), 1988; No. 49, p. 30.

Recorded sources:




Back to Headington Morris Reel