On Fri, 28 Jun 2013 16:05:58 -0700, Alan Winston wrote: > The Bishop (gypsy is historically questionable) > > (If your fiddler doesn't like any of those tunes - and I hear "the > Bishop" can be a bear to play - it would be period practice to use > the figures with a different tune.)
It's not just the gypsy - the whole modern reconstruction is historically questionable! The original wording is: The 1st Gent cast off and turn the 3rd Lady. 1st Lady cast off and turn the 3d Gent. Lead thro' the top and cast off. Hands 6 quite round. I believe gates are a 20th century invention (along with double figure eight and draw poussette), and as you can see it's a full circle rather than two half circles punctuated by other moves. I imagine Alan is referring to "Miss Dolland's Delight" - the tune set to it by the reconstructors - with the syncopation. The original tune is a lively jig reminiscent of "Daisy Bell", so maybe your fiddler would prefer that and it would be historically accurate. Colin Hume Email [email protected] Web site http://www.colinhume.com
