Region 1: Southwest Virginia/East Tennessee/North Carolina – 11 callers, 23 recordings
Dashes (----) indicate approximate beats of music between the calls.
Caller 1: Unknown
Mississippi Sawyer (129 bpm)
July 1924 (OKeh 7005)
Henry Whitter's Virginia Breakdowners (Grayson Co. VA):
fiddle, banjo, guitar
Form: four-couple square
Calling: random, shouted calls (as if read from a script)
Figures: Grand Right and Left, Promenade, Circle Four, Bird in the Cage, Ladies Back-to-Back, Gents Around, Circle
---------------- partners to their places -------- right and left -------------------- swing your partner and don't get left -------------------------------- promenade home ------------------------ first couple out ------------------------ second couple out ---------------- third couple out ------------------------ fourth couple out ------------------------ promenade your partner ---------------- circle left ---------------- bird in the cage, three hands around -------------------------------- on the next set, ladies to center, gents to the left ------------------------ promenade partner and swing ------------------------ everybody dance, join hands and circle around ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sourwood Mountain (129 bpm)
July 1924 (OKeh 7005)
Henry Whitter's Virginia Breakdowners (Grayson Co. VA):
fiddle, banjo, guitar
Form: four-couple square
Calling: random, shouted calls
Figures: identical to those on Mississippi Sawyer
-------------------------------- partners to their places -------- right and left -------- swing your partner and don't get left ---------------- promenade home ------------------------ first couple out -------- second couple out ------------------------ third couple out ---------------- fourth couple out ------------------------ promenade your partner ---------------- circle left ------------------------ bird in the cage, three hands around ------------------------ on to the next set, ladies to center, gents circle to left ------------------------ promenade partner and swing -------------------------------- everybody dance, join hands and circle around ------------------------------------------------ right and left ----------------------------------------
Caller 2: Al Hopkins
Watauga County, NC (b. 1889)
Walking in the Parlor (137 bpm)
October 1926 (Vocalion 5024)
The Hillbillies: Tony Alderman & Fred Roe (fiddles), Charlie Bowman (banjo), Henry Roe (guitar), John Hopkins (uke), Al Hopkins (piano)
Form: four-couple square (?)
Calling: random, shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Swing Ma, Swing Pa, Promenade
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- swing ma, swing pa -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- everybody swing ------------------------------------------------------------- pull that gal and promenade all
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boatin' Up Sandy (132 bpm)
May 1927 (Brunswick 182)
The Buckle Busters: two fiddles (Charlie Bowman, Elvis Alderman), banjo, guitar, uke
Form: four-couple square (?)
Calling: random calls, not pitched, one phrase sung
Figures: Circle, Promenade, Circle Four, Right-Hands Across, Swing Ma, Swing Pa
---------------------------------------------------------- all join hands and circle to the right ---- half-way and back --------------------------------- break and swing partner----- promenade all -------------------------------- first couple lead out four hands around ------------ right-hands across ---- left back ---- opposite lady ------ don't forget your partner --------------------------------- swing Ma, swing Pa, swing that gal from Arkansas take her to the back and promenade all swing that calico from the wall, all night long, same old lady swing [sung] ------------------------------------------- break and swing your partner ---- promenade all ------------------------ first couple lead out four-hands across ------------------------------------------------
Bug in the Taters (Ragtime Annie) (119 bpm)
May 1927 (Brunswick 182)
The Buckle Busters: Charlie Bowman (fiddle), banjo, guitar, uke
Form: four-couple square
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle, Ladies Right-Hands Across, Star Promenade, Gents Fall Back,Promenade, Circle Four, Basket, Grand Right and Left
------------------------------------ circle to the right -------- half and back --------- ladies to the center ----- gents chase -------- fall back one ----- swing --------- back two ---- swing -------- back three ---- swing ------- back four ---- swing ---------- everybody swing your partner --------------- promenade --------- chain ----------- swing -------------------- first couple lead out, four hands around -------- ladies bow ------- gents the same ----------- on to the next ----------------- circle to the right ---------- half and back -------- ladies to the center ------ gents chase -------- fall back one ------ swing -------- back two ------ swing ------ back three ----- swing ------ back four ------ swing --------------- everybody swing your partner at home --------------- promenade ------- chain ---------- everybody swing ------------------------
Caller 3: G. H. “Hub” Mahaffey
Kingsport, TN, Sullivan Co. (b. Wise Co. VA)
Cotton-Eyed Joe (136 bpm)
March 1927 (Brunswick 120)
Dyke's Magic City Trio: John Dykes (fiddle), guitar, autoharp
Form: four-couple square
Calling: rhythmic, non-pitched calls
Figures: Right-Hands Across, Circle, Swing Ma and Pa, Bird in the Cage, Promenade
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- let’s have a dance now -------- partners to your places, ---------------- next couple follow ---------------- right-hands across and circle to the left ---------------------------------------- left and back -------------------------------- eight hands up and circle to the left ------------------------ swing Grandma and then Grandpa and meet that girl from Arkansas ------------------------ cage the bird ---------------- bird fly out, the crow fly in, hold your horses, gone again ---------------- promenade ----------------
Tennessee Girls (136 bpm)
March 1927 (Brunswick 120)
Dyke's Magic City Trio: John Dykes (fiddle), guitar, autoharp
Form: four-couple square
Calling: rhythmic, non-pitched calls
Figures: Circle, Promenade, Figure Eight, Swing Ma and Pa
-------------------------------- partners to your places like horses to their traces --------------------------------------------------- join hands and circle to the left ---------------------------- break and swing your opposite partner ------------- and then your own ----------------------------- everybody promenade home -------------------------------------- first couple cut the figure eight ----------------------------- swing your opposite partner -------------- swing that calico from the wall ---------------------------- promenade ------------------------- stop at home ---------------------------- join hands and circle to the left ------------------------------------ swing Grandma and then Grandpa and meet that girl from Arkansas --------------------
Shortenin' Bread (130 bpm)
March 1927 (Brunswick 125)
Dyke's Magic City Trio: John Dykes (fiddle), guitar, autoharp
Form: four-couple square
Calling: rhythmic, non-pitched calls
Figures: Right-Hands Across, Circle
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let’s have a dance now. ---- Get your partners for the next set. -------------- first couple on the floor --------- next couple follow ---------- right-hands across and circle to the left ------------- left and back --------------- break and swing your opposite partner ------------------
Huckleberry Blues (East Tennessee Blues) (117 bpm)
March 1927 (Brunswick 129)
Dyke's Magic City Trio: John Dykes (fiddle), guitar, autoharp
Form: four-couple square
Calling: rhythmic, non-pitched calls
Figures: Right-Hands Across, Promenade
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ partners to their places -------------------------------- first couple on the floor -------------------------------- right-hands across and circle to the left -------------------------------- break and swing your opposite partner -------------------------------- then your own ---------------- everybody promenade home -------------------------------- stop at home -------------------------------- swing -----------------------------------------------
Callahan's Reel (136 bpm)
December 1927 (Vocalion 5181)
Dyke's Magic City Trio: John Dykes (fiddle), guitar, autoharp
Form: four-couple square
Calling: rhythmic, non-pitched calls
Figures: Right-Hands Across, Promenade, Circle, Ladies Back-to-Back, Gents Around
-------------------------------- partners to your places ---------------- first couple on the floor ------------------------ next couple follow ------------------------ right-hands across and circle to the left -------------------------------- left and back -------------------------------- break and swing and don’t get lost ------------------------ promenade ---------------- swing your opposite partner ---------------- and your own ---------------- join hands and circle to the left -------- stop at home -------- right-hands across and circle to the left -------------------------------- ladies to the center and the gents all around ------------------------------------------------
Red Steer (144 bpm)
March 1927 (Vocalion 5181)
Dyke's Magic City Trio: John Dykes (fiddle), guitar, autoharp
Form: four-couple square
Calling: rhythmic, non-pitched calls
Figures: Right-Hands Across, Promenade, Bird in the Cage
------------------------------------------ Get your partners now boys; let’s have a dance ------------- wait a minute you’ve got mine, here ------------------ now let’s go ------- first couple on the floor ----------------------------------------------------------- next couple follow ---------------------- right-hands across and circle to the left -------------------------------------- break and swing your opposite partner ------------- then your own ---------------- everybody promenade home ------------------------------------ cage the bird -------------- then the buzzard ----------------------- bird fly out, the crow fly in, hold your horse and gone again ---------- Let’s go boy, that’s right. Let’s go. --------- Don’t swing her too hard, though ------------- promenade ---------------- swing your opposite partner -----------------
Caller 4: Ben Jarrell
Surry County, NC
John Brown's Dream (150 bpm)
May 1927 (Gennett 6220)
Da Costa Woltz's Southern Broadcasters: Ben Jarrell (fiddle), Da Costa Woltz (banjo)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle, Promenade, Adam and Eve, Ladies Right-Hands Across, Star Promenade, Gents Fall Back, Ladies Back-to-Back, Gents Around
--------------------------------------- hands up and circle to the left ----- break and swing, promenade ----- when you meet her don't forget to swing ------------------------------------- first couple out and swing old Adam, -- Swing Eve -- Swing old Adam before you leave -- your partner -- on to the next ----------------------------------------- ladies to the center with a right-hands across --- left back ---- right-hand to your partner ---- fall back one ---- fall back two ---- fall back three ---- fall back four ---- break and swing and swing on the corner ------------------- gents to the center with a right-hand across ----- left back -- right-hand to your partner -------- fall back one --- fall back two ---- three ---- four ---- break and swing and swing on the corner -------------------------------------------- ladies to the center with their backs together ------- swing your partner --- pass her one time and swing ----- pass her two times and swing ----------- pass her three times and swing ---------- pass her four times and swing ------------------------
Richmond Cotillion (130 bpm)
May 1927 (Gennett 6220)
Da Costa Woltz's Southern Broadcasters: Ben Jarrell (fiddle); Frank Jenkins (banjo), Da Costa Woltz (banjo)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle, Promenade, Swing Three, Ladies Right-Hands Across, Star Promenade, Gents Fall Back, Ladies Back-to-Back, Gents Around
-------------- hands up and circle to the left ----- break and swing ---- promenade ---------------------------------------------------- first lady swing to the right --- swing your partner --- on to the next and gent follow ---------------------------------------------------- ladies to the center with a right-hand across ---- left back -- right hand to your partner ----- fall back one ----- fall back two ----- fall back three ------ fall back four --- break and swing and swing on the corner -------------------------------------------------------- gents to the center with a right-hand across ----- left back ----- right hand to your partner ------- break and swing and swing on the corner --------------------------------------------------- ladies to the center with their backs together ------- swing your partner ------ pass her one time and swing ----------------------------
Caller 5: Eck Dunford
Alex “Uncle Eck” Dunford
Carroll County, VA (born c. 1880)
Old Time Corn Shuckin’ - Part 2 (Ship That Never Returned) (123 bpm)
July 1927 (Victor 20835)
Ernest Stoneman & The Blue Ridge Corn Shuckers (fiddle, banjo, guitar)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle, Balance, Promenade, Grand Right and Left
------------- everybody out on the floor ------- all hands up and circle to the left ------------ first couple balance ---------- swing your partner ------ promenade all --------- right hand to your partner ------ right and left --------- second couple balance --------- swing ----- promenade all --------- right hand to your partner ------ right and left ---- when you meet your partner, don’t forget to swing her all the way around ------ third couple balance ----- everybody dance ------------------- first circle left, left away
Caller 6: Unknown
Tennessee Breakdown (Sally Goodin) (141 bpm)
September 1927 (OKeh 45151)
Vance’s Tennessee Breakdowners (Sullivan County, TN): Dudley Vance (fiddle), guitar
Form: four-couple square
Calling: monotone
Figures: Swing Three, Balance, Promenade, Circle Four, Circle
---------------------- partners on the floor --------- ladies on the right and gents on the left ----------- swing three ------ swing all around ----------------------- swing that gal in the red dress on ----------------------- first lady balance to the right ----------- gent the same ----------------- swing your gal and promenade ---------------------------- hands up three ----- join all around ---------------------------- first couple swing four ----- second follow ------- swing all around ------------------- swing your partner and promenade -------------------------------------- first couple dance around ---------------------- hands up four ---------- hands up eight ----- balance back ------- break and balance all ----------- swing your partner and promenade -----------------------------
Caller 7: Leonard Porter
Russell County, VA (b. 1898)
Old Virginia Reel – Part 2 (Cumberland Gap/Flop-Eared Mule) (128 bpm)
September 1927 (Okeh 45154)
Fiddlin’ Powers & Family: Cowan Powers (fiddle), guitar, mandolin, banjo, uke
Form: four-couple square
Calling: random, shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Right-Hands Across, Basket, Circle, Do-si-do (circular), Promenade, Ladies Back-to-Back, Gents Around, Swing Ma and Pa
All right boys, everybody to their places like the horses to their traces. Let’s go boys, now when the music starts. Everybody set? ----------- four hands across ---------- and back ----------- ladies bow -------- gents bow-wow --------- break and swing your partner ------------- all hands up and the next couple dance -------------- ladies do-si ------------- gents counter dance -------------- break and swing your corner --------- drop that partner swing ------- promenade -- promenade one, promenade all, everybody dance with Sally --------- ladies to the center and gents take a walk ------- swing your partners when you get around ------------ place them back and on around, get the next when you come around -------- everybody swing, swing Ma, swing Pa, swing that girl from Arkansas -- watch Henry ----- all hands up and circle to the left ----- all the way around and halfway back --- take your sweet and (?) -- watch Henry ---------- ladies do-si -------- gents you know how --------- break and swing your corner --------- drop that partner swing ---- promenade -------- break and swing right and left ----------- everybody dance ----- swing Ma, swing Pa, swing that girl from Arkansas ------------- gents to the center and the ladies take a walk ------ all the way around and halfway back --------- get your partners when you come around ---- swing and promenade ------------
Caller 8: Unknown
Swing Your Partner (135 bpm)
September 1927 (Okeh 45181)
Four Virginians (Danville, VA): fiddle, two guitars, tiple
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Promenade, Right-Hands Across
------ swing ------- promenade all ----------------- first couple out --------- right-hands across ------------- left back ----------- break and swing ------------ swing your partner -------------- on you go -------------- right-hands across ------------- left back ---------- break and swing ----------- swing your partner ------------- on you go ------------ right-hands across --------------- left back---------break and swing -------------- swing your partner ---------------- on you go --------------- right-hands across --------------- left back, --------------- break and swing ------------- swing your partner ----------- on you go ---------------- right-hands across -------------- left back ---------------- break and swing ------------ right-hands across -------------------------- left back ---------------------- break and swing--------------------------
New Coon in Town (134 bpm)
September 1927 (Okeh 45181)
Four Virginians (Danville, VA): fiddle, two guitars, tiple
Form: big ring (eight couples)
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Balance, Promenade, Ladies Back-to-Back, Gents Around
---------------- balance all ---------------- promenade --------------------------------------------- ladies to the center and gents walk round ------------------------------------------ swing your partner ----------------------------- fall back one ------------------------------ fall back two ------------------------------- fall back three ---------------------------- fall back four ------------------------------------ fall back five ------------------------------ fall back six -------------------------- fall back seven ---------------------------- fall back eight ---------------- head for home --------------
Promenade All (Bill Bailey) (133 bpm)
September 1927 (Okeh 45201)
Four Virginians (Danville, VA): fiddle, two guitars, tiple
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Promenade, Circle Four
--------- swing ----------- promenade all --------------------------------- first couple out ---------------------- four-hands around ----------------------------- break and swing -------------- swing your partner --------------------- on you go ------------------ four hands around ----------------- break and swing ------------------ swing your partner --------------- on you go ----------------- four hands around -------------------- break and swing ---------------------- swing your partner -------------------- on you go ------------ four hands around ---------------------------- break and swing -------------- swing your partner-------------------- on you go ------------------ promenade all -----------------------------------------
Caller 9: G. B. Grayson
Ashe County, North Carolina (b. 1887)
Old Jimmie Sutton (133 bpm)
February 1928 (Gennett 6436)
G. B. Grayson (fiddle) and Henry Whitter (guitar)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Right-Hands Across, Single File, Figure Eight, Circle, Promenade
---------------------------------------- right-hands across and left back there --------------- swing --------------- c’mon Joe, you’re gettin’ behind there -------------------------------------------------------------- break and honor your partner ------------------- ladies back ------ gents follow ------------ arm left, figure eight ------------------------------------------ swing her there, buddy ------------------- halfway around and back again ----------------------------------- promenade eight and all keep straight -------------------------------------------------------
Caller 10: Ernest Stoneman
Carroll County, VA (b. 1893)
A Serenade in the Mountains - Part 2 (Molly Put the Kettle On, Love Somebody) (122 bpm)
February 1928 (Victor 21518)
Ernest Stoneman & The Blue Ridge Corn Shuckers (fiddle, banjo, guitar)
Form: big ring, verse-chorus
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle
--------------- everybody get your partners -------------- first couple out -------------- all hands up and circle to the left ------------- Jinx you and Sal dance over there ----------------- circle now ---------- everybody dance -------------------------------------------------------------
I’m Gonna Marry That Pretty Little Girl (132 bpm)
July 1928 (Unissued)
Sweet Brothers (Herbert and Earl) with Ernest Stoneman (fiddle, banjo, guitar)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle, Promenade, Balance
---------------------------------------- everybody get your partners ------------------ all hands up, circle to the left ----------------------------- halfway around, promenade all ------------------------------ first couple balance ---------------------------- swing your partner --------------------- next couple balance ---------------- swing your partner ----------------------------- next couple balance -------------------- swing your partner ----------------------- next couple balance --------------- swing your partner------------------- next couple balance------------------- everybody dance ----------- all the way around, promenade (?) --------------------------
Caller 11: Unknown
Johnny Lover (133 bpm)
October 1929 (OKeh 45423)
Roanoke (VA) Jug Band (fiddle, banjo, guitar, banjo-mandolin)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Balance, Circle, Circle Four, Right-Hands Across, Grand Right and Left, Ladies Back-to-Back, Gents Around
------------------------- get your partner ----------------------- balance four ------------------------ balance again -------------- swing your corner ------------------------ hands around ----------------------- swing your partners to their places ---------------------- balance all --------------- balance four --------------- swing right across, opposite lady --------------------- ladies change -------------------------------- right and left ---------------- ladies to the center with their faces out, gents around -------------------- swing your partner --------------------- fall back one ---------------- fall back two ---------------- fall back three ------------- fall back four ----------- balance all -------------------------------------------------------------------