Region 5: North Georgia/Western North Carolina – 15 callers, 25 recordings
Dashes (----) indicate approximate beats of music between the calls.
Caller 1: Samantha Bumgarner
Jackson County, NC (b. 1880)
Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss (130 bpm)
April 23, 1924 (Columbia 146)
Samantha Bumgarner (banjo)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle, Circle Four, Do-si-do (circular), Right-Hands Across, Bird in the Cage
-------------------------------- big ring up and circle to your right --------- left back -------- break and lead off ------- swing your opposite ------ then your own ------- swing your partner and leave mine alone --------------- first couple out and circle four ----------- lady do-si-do -------- gents you know -------- swing your opposite ------- then your own ---------- swing your partner and leave mine alone --------- on to the next ------ circle four ------- lady do-si-do ------- gents your know ------------ next couple out and circle four ------------ right hands across -------- left back -------- swing your opposite ------- then your own ----- swing your partner and leave mine alone -------------- next couple out and circle four ----------- bird in the cage -------- bird dance out and the hoot owl in --------- swing your opposite ------- then your own ---------- swing your partner and leave mine alone ----------------------------- on to the next ----- circle four ------- bird in the cage ----------- bird dance out and the hoot owl in ----------- swing your opposite ------- then your own ------ swing your partner and leave mine alone ------
Shout Lou (130 bpm)
April 23, 1924 (Columbia 146)
Samantha Bumgarner (banjo)
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Form: big ring
Figures: Circle, Circle Four, Do-si-do (circular), Right-Hands Across, Bird in the Cage
---------------- big ring up and circle to your right -------- left back --------- right hand to your partner -------- break and lead off -------- swing your opposite ----- then your own ---- swing your partner and leave mine alone ------------ first couple out and circle four -------- lady do-si-do ---- gents you know ---------- swing your opposite ---- then your own ----- swing your partner and leave mine alone ---------- on to the next ---- circle four ---- lady do-si-do ------ gents you know -------- swing your opposite ---- then your own -------- next couple out ---- circle four -------- right hands across ---------- left back ------ swing your opposite -------- then your own ------ swing your partner and leave mine alone ---------- on to the next ---- circle four ---------- bird in the cage -------- bird dance out and the hoot owl in -------- swing your opposite --------- then your own -------- swing your partner and leave mine alone -------- on to the next ---- circle four ---- bird in the cage ------ bird dance out and the hoot owl in ---------- swing your opposite -------- then your own -------- swing your partner and leave mine alone ------------------------
Caller 2: Unknown (possibly Ernest Helton)
Buncombe County, NC
Buckin’ Mule (126 bpm)
November or December, 1924 (Broadway 1963)
J.D. (Dedrick) Harris (fiddle), Ernest Helton (banjo)
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Form: big ring
Figures: Balance, Circle
------------------------------------------------------------------------- all balance -------------- Circle to left --- (?) ----------------------------------------------------------------- (?) ---------- (?) ------------------------------------------------------------- circle to the right --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whip The Devil Round The Stump (Boogerman) (125 bpm)
November or December, 1924 (Broadway 1964)
J.D. (Dedrick) Harris (fiddle), Ernest Helton (banjo)
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Form: big ring
Figures: Circle, Ladies Circle Left in Center, Balance, Promenade, Circle Four, Bird in the Cage, Shoo-fly Swing
-------------- all hands up --------- circle to the left ------- half round -- back again ------- ladies -- to the center ----- center swing left ----- turn your partner ------------- balance to the next ----- circle right ----------- circle to the right -------- ladies swing out -------- gents swing in ------------ now you swing your partner ----------- promenade to home --------- first couple to the left ------ hands up four ------- now the bird fly in the cage ------- circle to the right -------- half back ------------------ bird swing out ---- hoot owl in ------- circle to the right ------ half back -------- break and swing your opposite ------------- then your own -------- promenade ------------ balance all ---- shoo-fly swing ------------- gents turn your partner to the center ---------- gents around ----------- forward and back ---- gents you know how ---------------------- circle to the right ---------
Caller 3: Webb Phillips
Gwinnett County, GA
Chickens Don’t Roost Too High For Me (120 bpm)
June 1925 (Paramount 33160)
Dixie String Band: Earl Johnson (fiddle), Arthur Tanner (tenor banjo), guitar
Calling: shouted calls
Form: big ring
Figures: Circle, Do-si-do (circular), Circle Four, Promenade
-------------------------------- hands up, circle to the left ------ all the way around, half way back ---------------- first couple out ------ do-si the lady ---- swing your opposite ---- hands up and circle four ---- next couple out ---- do-si the lady ---- swing your opposite ---- circle four ------------------------------------ next couple out -------- swing your opposite -------- circle four -------- next couple go ---- do-si the lady -------- swing four ------------ next couple out ---- do-si the lady ---- swing four ------------ next couple out -------- do-si the lady ---- swing four -------------------- next couple out -------- swing your opposite -------- partner, too -------- hands up for a promenade ---- lead your partner home, partners for the next dance.
Caller 4: John Carson
Fannin County, GA (b. 1868)
Cotton-Eyed Joe (129 bpm)
March 1927 (OKeh 45122)
John Carson and His Virginia Reelers: John Carson fiddle), fiddle; guitar, tenor banjo
Calling: calls shouted and sung
Form: big ring
Figures: Circle, Do-si-do (circular), Circle Four, Balance, Promenade
---------------------------------------------------------------- get your partners for the first dance -------- hands around all -------- swing ‘em around, around, and around ---------------------------------------- first couple to the right -------- swing four halfway, ladies do-si ---------------------------------------- next couple out -------- swing four halfway -------- swing 'em around, around, and around ------------------------------------------------ all balance, swing your partner ---- corner swing ---- promenade all ----------------------------------------
Caller 5: Ted (Ezra) Hawkins
Gwinnett County, GA
Fiddlers’ Convention in Georgia, Part 2 (Bile Em Cabbage Down) (132 bpm)
April 1927 (Columbia 15140)
Gid Tanner & His Skillet Lickers: Clayton McMichen (fiddle), Gid Tanner (fiddle), Bert Layne (fiddle), Riley Puckett (guitar), Fate Norris (tenor banjo)
Calling: shouted calls
Form: big ring
Figures: Balance, Circle, Do-si-do (circular), Lady Round the Lady and the Gent Also
---- all balance with your partners and swing, hands up and circle to the left -------- ladies do-si-do -------- lady ‘round the gent and the gent don’t go ---- swing that gal with the red dress on
Caller 6: Unknown
Scottdale (Dekalb County), Georgia
Chinese Breakdown (128 bpm)
March 1927 (OKeh 45103)
Scottdale String Band: (mandolin, two guitars)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Promenade, Ladies divide
------------------------------------- partners to your places like horses to their traces -----------------------------promenade -------------------------------- divide ladies, divide ------------------------------ shake that thing ----------------------------- first couple out ------------- now your own -------------- let’s go back -------------------------------- you get mine, I’ll get yours ----------------------------- oh, gladly --------------- shake that thing ------------------------------------------------ divide ladies, divide ---------------------------- next couple lead now -------------------- promenade -----
In The Shade of the Parasol (122 bpm)
March 1927 (Okeh 45103)
Scottdale String Band: (mandolin, two guitars)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Promenade, Ladies divide
------------------------------- all right let’s go ---------------- partners to your places ------------------------ first couple out ---------------------- step on it ---------------- swing your partner ----------------------------------------- circle four ----------------------- divide ladies, divide ---------------------------- next couple out ------------------------------- hop light ladies ---------- now your own -------------------------------------- next couple out ----------------------------- step on it -------------------------------- divide ladies, divide ---------------- let’s go back ------------
Hiawatha Breakdown (118 bpm)
October 1927 (OKeh 45158)
Scottdale String Band: (mandolin, two guitars)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Promenade, Ladies divide, Do-si-do (circular)
------------------------------------------------- partners to your places --------------- promenade around -------------- first couple out ---------------------- circle back -------------- swing your partner ---------------------- shake it boys, shake it ------------------------------ hop high ladies ------------------------------ left hand swing --------------- ladies do-si --------------- gents do-si --------------- divide ladies, divide ---------------------------------------- go to places, do things -------------------- now you’re home ------ swing your partner ------- drop back one ---------- shake it baby, shake it ----------- (?) ------
Hop Light Ladies (129 bpm)
October 1927 (OKeh 45158)
Scottdale String Band: (mandolin, two guitars)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: promenade, Right-Hands Across
------------------------------------------------- get your partners, let’s go back ------------ right hand up ----- circle left ------- promenade ---------------- break and swing your opposite --------------------- now your own --------------- first couple out ----------------------- shake it boys, shake it -------------- next couple out ------------------------------- swing your partner --------------- honor your partner, lady on the left ------------------------------------------------------ shake that thing, sister -------------------------------------- get your partner and promenade ---------------------------------------- shake partner, we’re finished ----------------
Old Folks Better Go To Bed (Soldier’s Joy) (128 bpm)
October 1927 (OKeh 45173)
Scottdale String Band: (mandolin, two guitars)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle
----------------------------------------------------------------- partners on floor --------------------------------------------- join hands and circle ----------------------------------------------- break hands and swing your own ----------------------------- now your own -------------------------------- first couple out ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- lady through ------------- gents back --------- shake that thing --------- let’s go back ------------
Caller 7: Bill Chitwood
Gordon County, GA (b. 1891)
Kitty Hill (127 bpm)
October 1927 (OKeh 45162)
Bill Chitwood & His Georgia Mountaineers (fiddle, two guitars)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: calls shouted and sung
Figures: Circle, Single File, Right-Hands Across, Circle Four
All right folks, we’re going to give you an old-fashioned North Georgia square dance, just like our forefathers used to shake 'em ---------------------------------------- honor your partner, lady on the right, gent on the left, eight hands up and circle to the left ---------------- break loose and walk home ---------------- first gent out, swing the girl on your right ---------------- left back ---------------- four hands ---------------- take your partner and on you go ----- all right, get right boys --------------------- swing Sal, swing Sue, swing that gal with the run-down shoe ---------------- next gent out, stay all night -------- swing and chain again --------------------------------------------------------
Caller 8: Unknown
Atlanta (Fulton County), GA
Liberty (143 bpm)
February 1928 (Victor 40070)
Hershal Brown’s Washboard Band (fiddle, guitar, washboard)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls
Figures: Circle Four, Right-Hands Across, Do-si-do (circular)
---------------- make a ring of fours for the dance ----- (?) Tanner calling ------ put your partner on your right ---- join hands, circle south ---------------- your corner swing ---------------- don’t forget that partner -------------------------------------- first couple lead out, right hands across ------------------------ couple up four ---- do-si -------------------------------- get that partner and on to the next ------------------------ couple up four -------- do-si ------------------------ swing your partner and on to the next ---------------------------------------- couple up four ---------------- do-si ------------------------ swing your partner and on to the next ------------------------ couple up four ----------------
Caller 9: Unknown
Atlanta (Fulton County), Georgia
Bob Murphy (131 bpm)
February 1928 (Victor 21405)
Watkin’s Band (tenor banjo, mandolin, two guitars)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: spoken calls
Figures: Circle, Single File, Do-si-do (circular)
----------------- everybody join hands and go to the left -------- break it loose and walk back ------------------------------------ first couple out to the left, pick up the next ---- four hands around ------ do-si the lady round -------- now your partner -------- now swing my gal -------------------------------- everybody swing and have a good time ---------------------------------------------------------------- everybody circle round to the left -------- now back ---- swing your corner gal ---------- first couple stop and the second lady go by, third lady (?) finger (?) in the fourth lady’s eye, bet it don’t hurt ---------------------------------------------------------------- join hands and go to the left --------
Gideon (131 bpm)
February 1928 (Victor 21405)
Watkin’s Band (tenor banjo, mandolin, two guitars)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: spoken calls
Figures: Circle, Single File, Do-si-do (circular)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- everybody join hands and circle to the left ---- break loose and dance back, don’t walk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ swing that corner lady ---------------- now your partner ---------------- do-si the lady round ---------------- now your partner ---------------- sashay and swing that lady on the end, the one with the red dress on ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caller 10: Unknown
Scottdale (Dekalb County), GA
Share ‘em Come Be (125 bpm)
August 1928 (OKeh 45256)
Scottdale String Band (mandolin, two guitars)
Form: big ring,
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle, Promenade, Circle Four, Do-si-do (circular)
---------------- All right you boys get a partner over there, let’s dance some -------- Everybody on the floor ---------------- everybody now, honor your partner ---- lady left, join hands, circle to the left ---- all the way around ---------------- swing corner now, partner too ---- promenade that swing -------- all the way -------- first couple out, four hands around ------------ do-si the lady ---- swing opposite ---- partner too ---- four hands again ---- on to the next couple -------- four hands ---- do-si the lady ---- swing on the left ---- swing your partner ---- “Hey, wait a minute. Hey, you boys over there. Turn that girl loose. Don’t swing and hold her all night. You gents stand back over there and let these folks dance.” everybody now, four hands around ---- do-si the lady ---- on the left, swing her ---- swing your partner ---- on to the next couple ---- four hands ---- do-si the lady ---- on the left, swing her ---- don’t forget your partner ---- swing and on to the next couple ---- honor all the way around ---- now everybody listen, swing your corner ---- swing your partner ---- promenade that swing, go home
Green Mountain Poker (Flop Eared Mule) (128 bpm)
August 1928 (OKeh 45279)
Scottdale String Band (mandolin, two guitars)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls, not pitched
Figures: Circle, Right-Hands Across
------------------------------------- everybody get a partner, let’s dance some ---------- everybody on the floor ---------------- honor your partner now ---- lady left --- join hands, circle to the left -------- all the way around ------------------- swing corner now ------- partner too ----------- first couple out -------- right hands across ---- left back ------ on the left, swing the lady ----- don’t forget your partner --------- on to the next couple -------- right hands across ------ left back ------- on the left, swing ---- swing your partner ------------ on to the next ------ right hands across ----- left back --------- on the left, swing the lady ----------- swing your partner ----------- on to the next -------- right hands across ---- left back ------- on the left, swing the lady ------- wait a minute, hey you guy over there, don’t muss that girl up too much, let her dance -- everybody now, right hands across --------- left back ------- on the left, swing the lady ---------- swing partner ---------- last couple out, right hands across -------- left back -------- swing opposite ---- partner, too ----------- swing corners everybody ------------- swing partner --- run away with that swing ---
Caller 11: Jim Baxter
Calhoun (Gordon County), GA
Georgia Stomp (103 bpm)
October 1928 (Victor 38002)
Andrew Baxter (fiddle), Jim Baxter (guitar)
Form: four-couple square
Calling: spoken calls
Figures: Circle, Single File, Grand Right and Left
------------------------ now this is the old Georgia Stomp ------------------------ now honor your opposite ------------ also your partner -------------------- all hands up eight and circle ------------------------ now break loose and walk back ------------------------ now take your time -------------------- swing your corner -------------------- now swing your partner ------------ join your partner’s right hand ---------------- now rights and lefts all the way through ------------------------ turn your corners now ------------------------
Caller 12: Unknown
Hall County, GA
Alabama Square Dance Pt. 1 (Black Eyed Susie) (132 bpm)
March 1929 (Broadway 8234)
Howard Coker (fiddle), Hoke Rice (guitar), Archie Lee Chumbler (banjo/mandolin)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted, not pitched
Figures: Promenade, Circle, Grand Right and Left
------- boys get your partner and let’s go ---- promenade the hall ---------------- big ring and circle left --------------- swing that good looking girl ------------------------------------------------- big ring and circle left --- rights and lefts ------------- get that good looking girl out and (?) ----------------------------------- promenade ------------------------------ swing that good looking girl in red calico ------------------------- rights and lefts -----------------
Alabama Square Dance Pt. 2 (Rayburn Gap) (132 bpm)
March 1929 (Broadway 8234)
Howard Coker (fiddle), Hoke Rice (guitar), Archie Lee Chumbler (banjo/mandolin)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted, not pitched
Figures: Promenade, Circle, Grand Right and Left
---- swing your partners boys, get your partners, let’s go --------- promenade the hall ------------------------------- swing that good looking girl, rights and lefts -------------------------------------- swing ‘em all around ----------------------- left and right ---------------------------------------------------- swing that girl in red calico ----- all around and back, promenade home ---
Caller 13: John Dilleshaw
Paulding County, GA (b. 1896)
Square Dance Fight on Ball Top Mountain Pt. 1 (Soldier’s Joy) (117 bpm)
March 1930 (Vocalion 5419)
Seven Foot Dilly and His Dill Pickles: A. A. Gray (fiddle), John Dilleshaw (guitar), tenor banjo, bass
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls
Figures: Circle, Single File, Lady Round the Lady and the Gent Also, Circle Four, Do-si-do (circular)
Ladies on the right and gents on the left ---- hands up and circle to the left ---------- all the way around -------------- break loose and walk back -------------- first couple off to the right, dance lady round the lady ------------------ round the gent, the gent also --------------------- four hands round, ladies do-si ------------------------------- next couple out, dance lady round the lady ---------- four halfway and ladies do-si -------------------------------------------- on with the next, lady round the lady ------------------- four half round, ladies do-si ------------------------------------------------- [music interrupted by obnoxious drunk] ----------- lady round the lady, gent solo, lady round the gent, gent don’t go -----
Square Dance Fight on Ball Top Mountain Pt. 2 (Liberty) (118 bpm)
March 1930 (Vocalion 5419)
Seven Foot Dilly and His Dill Pickles: A. A. Gray (fiddle), John Dilleshaw (guitar), tenor banjo, bass
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls
Figures: Circle, Balance, Promenade, Circle Four, Lady Round the Lady and the Gent Also, Right-Hands Across
Get your partner set for this last half ---------------- hands up and circle --------- all the way around ---------- balance to the center -------- once more --------- swing your partner and promenade ------------ first couple off ----- balance four ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- on to the next, lady round the lady --------- left back ---------- swing on the right and on the wrong ------------------------------- [fight breaks out] Grab your partner boys. On with the dance. --------------- right hands across --------- left back ----- swing on the right and on the wrong --------------- All right watch me now, watch me ----------- look out for your double corner ------ swing your partner now ----------- swing your partner and take her home -----------
Caller 14: Unknown
north Georgia
Hog-Trough Reel (McMichen’s Reel) (136 bpm)
August 1932 (Gennett 7011)
Clayton McMichen’s Georgia Wildcats (fiddle, tenor banjo, guitar)
Form: big ring
Calling: random shouted calls
Figures: Circle, Grand Right and Left, Promenade
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- now partners to your places like the horses to their traces, lady on the right, gent on the left, swing left and circle to the left, lady round the lady, promenade, lady round the lady and the gent also, lady round the gent and the gent don’t go, swing that opposite lady and right on to the next ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ partner round and on to the next, do that ocean wave, swing that opposite lady, now do the bird in the cage, bird fly in, hawk fly out, hawk fly back in, the bird get out, swing that opposite lady, soo-ee --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caller 15: Clayton McMichen
Bartow County, GA (b. 1900)
Arkansas Traveler (134 bpm)
August 1932 (Gennett 7011)
Clayton McMichen’s Georgia Wildcats (fiddle, tenor banjo, guitar)
Form: big ring
Calling: shouted calls
Figures: Circle, Bird in the Cage, Lady Round the Lady and the Gent Also, Promenade, Ocean Wave, Bird in the Cage
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- now partners to your places like the horses to their traces, lady on the right, gent on the left, swing left and circle to the left, lady round the lady, promenade, lady round the lady and the gent also, lady round the gent and the gent don’t go, swing that opposite lady and right on to the next ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ partner round and on to the next, do that ocean wave, swing that opposite lady, now do the bird in the cage, bird fly in, hawk fly out, hawk fly back in, the bird get out, swing that opposite lady, soo-ee --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------