Lyr Add: Jacky Tar - fine old hornpipe

Subject: Lyr Add: Jacky Tar - fine old hornpipe
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 06 May 17 - 02:31 AM

Fine old hornpipe Jacky Tar - with words!!

http://intheboatshed.net/2017/05/05/fine-old-hornpipe-jacky-tar/

A variant of the even older and better known Cuckoo's Nest, the fabulous hornpipe Jacky Tar (sometimes Tarr) is actually the tune of an old song Jacky Tar Come Ashore with your Trousers On – a sweet little piece that is as charming as its title. Why trousers on?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jacky Tar - fine old hornpipe
From: leeneia
Date: 06 May 17 - 10:44 AM

Thanks for the link, CJB. I enjoyed the music.

Re: Trousers. It may mean 'Come ashore in your civvies.'

I'm going to tell my husband about the free boat plans on that site.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jacky Tar - fine old hornpipe
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 May 17 - 01:26 PM

It's just a typical piece of filler similar to 'with me navvy boots on' or 'with me kettlesmock on'. There's no significant meaning. There are plenty of broadsides of the song. It's a typical Dibdinesque piece of about 1779. The first verse is given in The Roxburghe Ballads Vol 8, p436. Ebsworth gives the date as 1779.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jacky Tar - fine old hornpipe
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 07 May 17 - 04:22 AM

It was sung in Scotland too. There's a version in "Ord's Bothy Ballads" under the title "Jacky Tar" [ air : Jack Tar hornpipe ].
The only version of this I've ever heard was by Tony Cuffe [ RIP ], who I don't think ever recorded it, but a live recording I made at Stonehaven Folk Club 30 years ago can be heard on the "Rare Tunes" website.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jacky Tar - fine old hornpipe
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 07 May 17 - 04:41 AM

The A music is of course used for several little rude ditties which can be easily found on Mudcat. 'Do your balls/ears hang low' in America is sung to 'Turkey in the Straw' but over here we use the Jacky Tar tune. Also' Tiddlywink old man'.

The tune has been kept in our consciousness thanks to the kids' TV programme 'Blue Peter' and it's always played at military/naval tattoos like the Edinburgh when the Navy come down.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jacky Tar - fine old hornpipe
From: TheSnail
Date: 07 May 17 - 05:15 AM

I can't find a satisfactory reference but I have heard that, in the 18th century, sailors would have been wearing trousers while landlubbers would have been wearing breeches.

Steve Gardham, I think you are confusing Jacky Tar with Jack's The Lad (Jack Off the Green, College Hp).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jacky Tar - fine old hornpipe
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 07 May 17 - 06:38 PM

Isn't Jacky Tar Hornpipe the same as College Hornpipe?

The Jacky Tar in Ord certainly fits the A music of the tune I know.
I'll have a listen to the link tomorrow.