8. Rose of Tennessee / Don’t Be Teasing / Whiskey Jig

Rose of Tennessee represents a style of jig melody that is quite widespread in the Canadian Maritimes; my source both for this one and the last tune in this set is Stephen Toole of Green Road, Prince Edward Island. Don’t be Teasing is widely played on PEI; it’s of Irish origin but does not seem to be widely known in the contemporary Irish music scene. Whiskey Jig is played in the Canadian Maritimes and has appeared on Cape Breton recordings under the titles, “Marie’s Family Jig,” and “Harbor Lights Jig.” The last two “turns” of this 3-part tune derive from “The Irish Jaunting Car,” a song whose melody was also tapped by South Carolina secessionists for the Confederate anthem, “Bonny Blue Flag.” Another variant that was stretched out to cut time and dubbed “Coleman’s March” is frequently played in the contemporary American old-time music scene. (Keys: G/D/G)