The Haymakers Jig was a dance that was very popular with the dancers in the halcyon days of the Ceili Dances, and indeed I danced it and played for it many times. I seem to remember it was seven women opposite seven men. A selection of any double jigs were played for the dance. However I also play a jig which I learnt many moons ago called the Haymakers Jig, so the answer is yes to both your questions.
The tune called the Haymaker's Jig that I play is the one shown in the 'folktunefinder' courtesy of 'cathycook' It's also the same tune which is called The Haymaker's Jig as published in The Irish Pianist Bk 2
SineadE
Five facing five was probably the recommended number for the dance but when a hall is packed to capacity, and believe me, in the fifties the ceili dances were packed to capacity, we often danced it seven facing seven
I have to admit that there have been a few occasions where there's been more than 5 facing 5 - mostly because there wasn't enough to add a whole extra set so the spares have joined others. 5 is the right number to fit the music and not have to wait around for a few bars before starting the next move though.
Haymakers Jig
Haymakers Jig
Is the Haymakers Jig a tune? Or does it refer to the dance set to whatever jig you want?
# Posted on June 10th 2010 by pastrings
Re: Haymakers Jig
The Haymakers Jig was a dance that was very popular with the dancers in the halcyon days of the Ceili Dances, and indeed I danced it and played for it many times. I seem to remember it was seven women opposite seven men. A selection of any double jigs were played for the dance. However I also play a jig which I learnt many moons ago called the Haymakers Jig, so the answer is yes to both your questions.
# Posted on June 10th 2010 by Free Reed
Re: Haymakers Jig
It's an old dance, probably nicked from the Scottish Virginia reel. It's danced to any set of jigs.
# Posted on June 10th 2010 by ElaineT
Re: Haymakers Jig
I always knew the Haymakers Jig as five facing five rather than 7.
# Posted on June 10th 2010 by SineadE
Re: Haymakers Jig
There is a tune in the tune section here called the haymaker's jig, http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/4898 but it's not the one I know, which can be found here, http://www.folktunefinder.com/tune/163664/
neither of these tunes is commonly used for the dance, as far as I know.
# Posted on June 10th 2010 by cathycook
Re: Haymakers Jig
In Volume 1 of his Dance Music Of Ireland, Matt Cunningham uses these tunes for the Haymakers Jig dance:
Old Joe's
The Connaughtman's Rambles
Delaney's Drummers
Old Man Dillon
The Returned Yank
Jimmy Ward's
The Old Favourite
They're all in the Tunes section here.
# Posted on June 10th 2010 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Haymakers Jig
The tune called the Haymaker's Jig that I play is the one shown in the 'folktunefinder' courtesy of 'cathycook' It's also the same tune which is called The Haymaker's Jig as published in The Irish Pianist Bk 2
SineadE
Five facing five was probably the recommended number for the dance but when a hall is packed to capacity, and believe me, in the fifties the ceili dances were packed to capacity, we often danced it seven facing seven
# Posted on June 11th 2010 by Free Reed
Re: Haymakers Jig
The folktunefinder one is by James Oswald and was first published in his lifetime in London. So it's an English tune by a Scot.
# Posted on June 11th 2010 by Jack Campin
Re: Haymakers Jig
I have to admit that there have been a few occasions where there's been more than 5 facing 5 - mostly because there wasn't enough to add a whole extra set so the spares have joined others. 5 is the right number to fit the music and not have to wait around for a few bars before starting the next move though.
# Posted on June 11th 2010 by SineadE
Re: Haymakers Jig
I agree with cathycook in that neither of the tunes named "Haymakers' Jig" is commonly used for the dance of that name.
Any jig would do - with the caveat that a single jig would suit fit the dance better than a double jig.
# Posted on June 11th 2010 by Mix O'Lydian
"The Haymakers Jig"
A 5-part jig like "Doctor O'Neill's" fits this dance perfectly, when well timed ~
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display.php/1304
# Posted on June 11th 2010 by ceolachan
Re: Haymakers Jig
Haymaker's has a rising step, which is a double-jig move. Single jigs should really be avoided for Haymaker's.
# Posted on June 12th 2010 by ElaineT
Re: Haymakers Jig
Ok... thanks for the info.
# Posted on July 7th 2010 by pastrings