The Horse Called Rover
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Standard Notation
ABC Notation
Banjo Tablature
Mandolin Tablature
Violin Tablature
traditional
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Transcription: by Darryl D. Bush
"The Horse Called Rover", also known as "Rooster in the Strawpile" or "Cotton Eyed<br> Joe" is an old-time breakdown known in southwestern Pa. in G Major.<br> The parts are played ABB.<br> This is a composite tune, perhaps fashioned in America. Bayard believed the A<br> part to be quite old, going back to the 16th century and appearing as "Malt's Come<br> Down" (included in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book arranged by William Byrd).<br> The 'B' part is a common strain which can be found in collections from European<br> countries and in the chorus of the American minstrel ditty "Jim Along Josey" (1840).<br> A version of the tune is found in Ira Ford's Traditional Music of America (1940)<br> as "Cotton Eyed Joe", while the oldest set Bayard found was in Aird's Selections,<br> vol. 1 (1782) as "The Virginian".<br> The tune was collected in Pennsylvania with these words:<br> Had a little horse and I called him Rover,<br> When he lived, he lived in clover,<br> And when he died, he died all over.<br> The notated version was collected from Hiram White (an elderly fiddler from Greene<br> County, Pa., 1930's) by Samuel Bayard.<br> The banjo arrangement is by John Letscher. He doubles the B part.<br> It was recorded by Tamsula and Withers on Up in the Batten House (2011).<br> It was printed in Bayard's Dance to the Fiddle (1981).<br>
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