English Country Dances

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Kathleen Blackwell-Plank performs Jenny Pluck Pears. The music is coupled with her nature photography.

Contents

Green Sleeves and Yellow Lace
Goddesses
Jenny Pluck Pears

Note from the arranger

The country dance genre emerged during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558 – 1603). The style of dancing appears to be a combination of Continental courtly dance brought to the English court by Italian dancing masters and the dances done by English country folk. John Playford (1623-1686/7) was a London bookseller, publisher, musician, and dance enthusiast. During the late 19th and early 20th century many countries undertook efforts to preserve and revive disappearing language, music, and culture. It was during this time of nationalistic interest that Cecil Sharp was instrumental in re-discovering and promoting English country dancing.

“Green Sleeves and Yellow Lace “is a variation of the ubiquitous Greensleeves. The verse of Greensleeves utilizes the chord progression passamezzo antico and in the chorus the chord progression romanesca is used. Kathleen Blackwell-Plank’s arrangement utilizes a variation of these patterns utilizing Em in place of E and occasionally using the VI or F chord. In this arrangement the melody of the chorus has been slightly altered to avoid a lever change to F-natural. The rhythm is changed slightly and the note A is substituted in place of the F-natural. Two F-sharps are set at the beginning of the piece and no lever changes are required. This arrangement uses rolled chords, glissandi, and arpeggios. “Goddesses” was first published in the first edition of The English Dancing Master in 1651. “Jenny Pluck Pears” is in AAB song form. The “A” section is in 6/8 meter and the “B” section in 3/4 time. In this fast dance, the dotted quarter note of the “A” section equals the dotted half note in the “B” section. Jenny is a common name for a rustic sweetheart. All three pieces are in A minor. Chord symbols are provided on all pieces.