The Humours of Bandon (Set Dance)
Posted in Set Dances on Jun 28th, 2011 No Comments »
This is an old piping tune that was one of a collection taken down and published from Piper Jackson in the second half of the 18th Century. Sean Donnelly points out that it is related to the antique tune 'The Black Joke' (after the song, 'joke' deriving from 'joak', a defunct and extremely bawdy slang word for... something very fundamental to our human existence and nature...)
No mortal sure can blame ye man, Who prompted by Nature will act as he can / With a black joke, and belly so white: For he ye Platonist must gain say, that will not Human Nature obey, in working a joke, as will lather like soap, and ye hair of her joke, will draw more ye on a rope, with a black joke, and belly so white.
It's one of a number of set dances in jig time. This version is based on Seamus Ennis' playing of it.
Regards,
Harry.
