Origins: Why are they called 'Rants'

Subject: Origins: Why are they called 'Rants'
From: Kudzuman
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 09:09 AM

I checked the database with several different words/phrases and came up with nothing on this, so pardon if its already been flogged to death. I know that such tunes as Oldham Rant and Morpeth Rant are dance tunes, but why are they called "Rants"? Thanks any and all in advance.

Kudzuman

Subject: RE: Origins: Why are they called 'Rants'
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 10:17 AM

According to Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary, "A country dance of Scotland and Northern England related to the jig. The rant is in duple meter and binary form. Surviving examples are dated from the 17th and 18th centuries."

According to the Scots glossary here at Mudcat:
rant = romp+ sing a tune+ fuss+ complain
rant = to rollick

So.... it's about the feel and tempo of the tune, and about what the listeners will do, upon hearing it?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Origins: Why are they called 'Rants'
From: GUEST,Animaterra- gotta get my cookie!
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 10:30 AM

There's also a clogging step called a rant.

Allison

Subject: RE: Origins: Why are they called 'Rants'
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 10:34 AM

Dance Technique:   Rant Step

Subject: RE: Origins: Why are they called 'Rants'
From: GUEST,tom guest
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 10:59 AM

sae wantonly and sae dauntedly/and sae rantingly gaed he/he played a tune and he danced aroon /below the gallows tree.
If I remember McPherson's lament correctly