The University Museum

JUST FOR FUN - MUSIC FOR DANCING

Professor McIntosh collected folk songs performed in a variety of situations, including those sung by children while playing games, and music used by all ages for dancing. He published his findings in several volumes, including

• Singing Games and Songs from Southern Illinois (1941),
• Southern Illinois Singing Games and Songs (1946),
• Sing and Swing from Southern Illinois (1948),
• Singing Games and Dances (1957),
• and his largest and final volume Folk Songs and Singing Games of the Illinois Ozarks (1974).

Based on information from his 1974 publication, this recording is a traditional square dance where the music is provided by instrumentalists, rather than by the dancers making their own accompaniment by singing. It was collected by Professor McIntosh in the McLeansboro, Illinois home of Mr. Bob Tucker on April 26, 1953. In this recording, the square dance call is provided by Uncle Bill Hargraves, and the musicians include Uncle Bob Tucker (banjo), Robert Tucker (violin), and (the apparently recently-married) Madge Tucker Tate (guitar). Listen closely, and the sound of stomping feet can be heard. It is obvious that these people were out to have a good time!

Listen to this song in one of three formats.