X: 254	% 237 in WaS ed.1
T: Turkey in the Straw
O: John McFadden
R: reel
%S: s:4x2 b:16(4+4+4+4)x2
B: Francis O'Neill: "Waifs and Strays" ed.2 p.135 #254
S: hathitrust.org
F: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044040672529&view=1up&seq=150&skin=2021 (ed.2 1922) [2022-08-28]
Z: 2022 John Chambers <jc:trillian.mit.edu>
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: Reel
K: G
% = = = = = = = = = =
V:1 staves=2
(BA) |\
GE2F EDB,C | DEDB, DEGA | T(BA)Bc dBGA | BA2G AcBA ||
GE2F EDB,C | DEDB, DEGA | Bd2e dBGA | BGAF G2 |]|
GA |\
Bd2e dBGA | Bdde dcBA | Bdef gfed | BA (3Bcd e2ef ||
Tgfge dged | BdAG E2GA | BdAG EDB,D | EG2A G2 |]
% = = = = = = = = = =
V:2 clef=bass middle=d
z2 |\
[g2G2][g2b2] B2g2 | G2[gb]z B2[d2g2] | G2[g2b2] d2[g2b2] | [d2D2][f2a2] d2[f2a2] ||
[g2G2][g2b2] B2g2 | G2[gb]z d2[g2b2] | G2[g2b2] d2[g2b2] | [D2d2][F2f2] [G2g2] |]| z2 |\
G2[g2b2] d2[g2b2] | G2[b2d'2] g2[b2d'2] | G2[e2c'2] c2[g2c'2] | G2[g2b2] [e2c'2]z2 ||
c2[e2c'2] G2[g2c'2] | G2[e2c'2] [e2c'2]z2 | D2[f2c'2] c2[g2b2] | [G2g2][g2b2] [g2b2] |]
% = = = = = = = = = =
%
% "Turkey in the Straw", or "Old Zip Coon", as played nowadays may
% suit the rapid movements of buckdancers, but the frenzied rhythm
% is ruinous to the melody. Rendered after the manner of the famous=
% Dan Emmett of Bryant's Minstrels, in slow reel time, this popular tune
% acquires a much enhanced appeal. Emmett, it will be remembered,=
% was the author of the immortal "Dixie", and it was his version of=
% "Turkey in the Straw" which we obtained from John McFadden of
% the Chicago Irish Music Club , that is here presented.
% The origin of this favorite of our fathers is wrapped in even deeper=
% mystery than that of "Yankee Doodle". Under the title "Old Zip
% Coon" the tune appeared in Howe's Collections about the middle
% of the 19th Century, and possibly earlier. The first gleam of light on
% the question of how the old title eventually yielded to the popularity
% of the new name, came through a chance conversation while fishing
% in 1920 with a northern tourist at Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The=
% latter confidently informed me that Alderman Silas Leachman of=
% Chicago, a native of Kentucky, was the author of "Turkey in the
% "Straw" - both words and music !  The melody I knew was older than=
% the Alderman's grandfather, yet here was a lead worth investigating,
% for it was his melodious voice that first brought him to prominence.
% An interview with the talented official at Chicago a month later
% confirmed the statement that he was indeed the author of one song
% of that name, the best of several others on the same theme. One=
% question was  settled. The popularity of the modern song relegated
% to obscurity the the named of the ancient tune. The pioneers or early
% settlers of West Virigina, Kentucky and Tennessee were largely of
% Irish ancestry, and obviously their music or tunes more or less varied
% by fancy, and defective memorizing from one generation to another,
% were of Irish origin. Fiddling and dancing being inseparable from all=
% festivities and important events, the tunes became much more
% diversified, but the swing and spirit of the Gael however was always=
% discernable in their reels and quadrilles, and so continues to the
% present day.
% For the convenience of musical antiquaries who may be interested=
% in the subject, an old Irish March, or Jig, "The Kinnegad Slashers"
% to which is sung "The Land of Sweet Erin", is herewith submitted
% as a tune from which "Old Zip Coon" or "Turkey in the Straw"=
% could have been derived or evolved. A third part added later by
% musicians is not essential in this illustration. [SEE TUNE #237B]=