The Irish Jig: or, The Night Ramble
| TYPE | 3 - Complex Melody |
| TOPIC | Bawdry |
| TUNE STRUCTURE | 8 bars |
| VERSE STRUCTURE | 6v 4l |
| TIME SIGNATURE | 64 |
| TONAL CENTRE | C |
| INCIPIT | GAB♭BCBGAB♭B♭B♭A |
| GENRE | Ballad |
| TEXT SOURCE | 'The Irish Jig: or, The Night Ramble' (London, c.1710) British Library H.1601.(331.) |
| TUNE SOURCE | as above |
| FIRST LINE | One night in my ramble I chanc'd to see |
| NOTATED INCIPIT | |
| This song uses the same tune as ‘My Bonny my shonny’ (1683) and is used as the tune ‘Irish Trot’ in The Beggar’s Opera (1728). It was later reprinted in Wit and Mirth or Pills to Purge Melancholy, 6 vols (London, 1719-20), V pp.108-9; The lark. Containing a collection of above four hundred and seventy celebrated English and Scotch songs (London, 1740), pp.83-4 (text only); and The aviary: or, magazine of British melody. Consisting of a collection of one thousand four hundred and seventeen songs (London, [1750?]; 2nd ed.), p.369. | |
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The Irish Jig: Or, The Night Ramble1.One Night in my ramble I chanc’d to see,a thing like a Spirit it frighned me.I Cock’d up my Hat and resolv’d to look big,And straight fell a tuning the Irish Jigg.2.The Devil drew nearer and nearer in short,I found it was one of the Petticoat sort,My Fears being over I car’d not a Fig,But still I kept tuning the Irish Jig.3.And then I went to her, resolving to try her,I put her a gig of a longing desire,I told her I’d give her a Whip for her Gig,And a Scourge to the Tune of the Irish Jig.4.Then nothing but Dancing our Fancy could pleaseWe lay on the Grass and Danc’d at our ease,I down with my Breeches and off with my WigAnd we fell a Dancing the Irish Jig.5.I thank you kind Sir, for your kindness said she,The Scholar’s as wise as the Master can be,For if you should chance to get me with Kid,I’ll lay the poor Brat to the Irish Jig.6.The Dance being ended as you may see,We rose by Consent and we both went away,I put on my Cloaths and left her to grow big,And so I went roaring the Irish Jig.