Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!

Subject: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 02:01 PM

I've been fascinated by jig puppets (limberjacks in the US) for many years. So, for my Christmas present in 2009, I decided to get one for myself. I'm no woodworker so, after trawling through the net, found a great site for Chris Harvey in Woodbridge in Suffolk, and chose a dancing cockerel...

Rocky the dancing cockerel (click on the video link to see Rocky dance).

He arrived today - I gave him a brief workout before Mrs. Fly claimed him and put him away for Christmas Day. I'm looking forward to dancing him at the local session on the last Sunday in December (the Bull in Ditchling) - and I think "The Soldier's Joy" would be a good backing track.

Chris painted him in my colours of choice: a Buff Sussex Cockerel - so I can say to all my friends that I have a buff Sussex cock...

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 03:54 PM

Those puppets look quite brilliant Will. Love all the interesting characters he's made.

I'll leave all the 'getting your cock out' & related jokes, for those that attend the local session - you're never going to hear the end of them I imagine..

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 03:57 PM

Yes CS - my Old Git's corner in the Plough this evening had quite a laugh at the idea of a wooden cock. One of the company asked if it was made in Oakhampton. Oh well, you cast your bread upon the waters...

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 04:19 PM

The Hairy Gentleman looks a right fine chap too! I'd rather like him.
(no intended rude joke there, but it's impossible now not to think of one)

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Tig
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 07:46 PM

Lucky you - what a great pressie to choose. I well remember Rennie Pickles making his dance. He had a great collection which his wife now proudly looks after.

He wrote a fascinating book about Jig Dolls. Worth trying to get hold of a copy.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 07:57 PM

returning from a long look at the site all I can say is WOW!

I especially love the Morris series - current & (almost) past performers!

sandra

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 10:01 PM

Gawddamn Will.....that's GREAT!!! I'm AMerican and don't recall ever seeing anything like that ina limberjack here. The possibilities for "patter" are so great, you could do a 15 minute lurid and wonderfully lewd intro (in the right place of course).

I can hear Mrs. Fly talking to friends, "Will's getting old and I wanted him to have something he really wanted for Christmas so I got him a new Cock. I can't wait to see it between his legs and dancing around.......its probably half a meter long or so. Should be a lot of fun and bring some real pleasure too!"


Spaw

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 11:35 PM

A suitable tune would be "Cock of the North'!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 09:29 AM

LOL! Great suggestions - all to be incorporated into the script! :-)

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 04:59 AM

I've been so pleased with Beaky - my jig doll made by Chris Harvey over two years ago - that I got the urge to have another one made for me by Chris.

Looking over his website, I saw that he had a Scottish doll type, with kilt, and also a Jake the Peg type - with three legs (a la Rolf Harris). So, having a warped and perverted mind, I thought that to order a Scots doll - but with a "third leg" would be a great idea. After all, what else does a Scotsman have under the kilt?

Chris made him for me some time ago and I thought I ought to demonstrate his prowess on video. I've named him Wee Willie and, if you look carefully, you'll see why...

Wee Willie dances

The music - with kind permission of Greg Stephens and his Boat Band - is "My Love She's But A Lassie Yet" and "Whitehaven Volunteers", from their wonderful album A Trip To The Lakes.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 05:26 AM

Jim Eldon has a lovely variant of the jig-doll...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIhqfB0QAbk

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 05:44 AM

Many thanks for that link - what a great doll, and a lovely performance from Jim!

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: davyr
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 07:12 AM

I loved "Wee Willie", but was waiting expectantly for a third-leg-revealing somersault that never came...

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 09:29 AM

The third leg makes several quick appearances - just very discreetly...

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: JohnB
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 07:01 PM

I too have a dancing cock, no I mean a Limber Cock, no I mean a cock that dances when you bash it on a board.
Well I do have one, I bought it at a War of 1812 re-enactment in Ontario Canada. It is quite a detailed carving which was made in somwhere like India (not sure) and the guy who made them added the moveable legs and wings.
I also have a friend with a Limber Beaver, which I have played with on occasion. HE had it especially made for his CD release and I played it sat on the front edge of the stage.
Ok that is probably enough, JohnB.

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 10:02 PM

I like this clip of Elwood Donnelly working with several limberjacks while Aubrey Atwater plays banjo and does seated clogging. Wait for the finale.

Did I mention they live in RI?

Subject: RE: Folklore: My Christmas present's a jig puppet!
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 10:04 PM

Grr. Did it again. Here's the link, and go to full screen. http://www.nodepression.com/video/atwaterdonnelly-at-cafe