Annotation:Whirly Gigg (The)
X: 1 T:Whirly Gigg. PFD3.198, The B:Playford, Dancing Master Vol 3, 2nd Ed, c1726 Z:vmp.Ruairidh Greig 2015 www.village-music-project.org.uk M:6/8 L:1/8 Q:1/4=100 K:Bb B,2B B>cB|A2GF2c|c2d e>dc|B,2B B>cB| A2GF2f|=egef3|B,2B B>cB|A2GF2c| c2d edc|b2a gag|=efgc2f|f2=ef3|| c2B ABc|F2A Bcd|B2AG2g|f2ed2c| BcdG2c|c2Bc2d|edc dcB|cBA BAG| AGF GFE|FED EDC|DCDB,2B|B2AB3|] W:Each strain twice W:The first Cu. cross over and turn, then change over at top and lead outsides.| And Back to W:back-sides and turn, the first Cu. being all at bottom:| Then Hands round at top, then Right- W:hands and Left quite round at top.| Then the first Man Heys at top and the Wo. at the bottom, W:and turn it out:|
WHIRLY GIGG, THE. English, Country Dance Tune and Slip Jig (9/8 time). B Flat Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. "Whirly Gigg" was printed in London by Playford successor John Young in his Third Volume of the Dancing Master, 2nd edition (c. 1726). John Playford printed a tune with the same title (different spelling), "Whirligig (2)" in the very first edition of the English Dancing Master (1651). A "whirly gig" or whirligig is something that whirls or revolves, but can also denote a whirling motion or course: "the whirligig of fashion." Colloquially it has been used to describe a giddy or flighty person, and it is another name for a merry-go-round or carrousel. Considering its use in a country dance book, it may also describe vigorous dance figures.
