Annotation:Step and Fetch Her (1)
X:1 T:Step and Fetch Her [1] M:4/4 L:1/8 S:Arnold Woodley (Bampton, Oxfordshire) K:G A|:B2B2 cBcA|G2e2 egfe|d2 Bd cBcA|G2B2 G4:|| A3c B2d2|A3c B2d2|A3c B2d2|dcBA B2G2| A2Ac B2d2|A2 Ac B2d2|A2 Ac B2d2|dcBA G3|| A|B2 Bc d2 cB|A2 AB c2A2|B2 Bc d2g2|dcBA G3A| B2 Bc d2 cB|A2 AB c2A2|B2 Bc d2g2|fdef g4||
STEP AND FETCH HER [1]. English, Morris Dance Tune (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABC (x3). This version of "Step and Fetch Her (1)" is from the playing of Arnold Woodley, who let one of the sides for Bampton (in-the-Bush) in the mid-20th century. The Bampton morris tradition has been continuous for as long as can be remembered or has been recorded (save for a break) during World Wars, a claim unique to all English morris villages. The morris was danced in the village on Whit-Monday (AKA May Bank Holiday). Part of the morris dance tradition included stock characters who accompanied the dance; in Bampton the dancers were accompanied by a Ragman (carrying clothes, etc.), a Treasurer (collecting money) and a Sword Bearer carrying a cake. The cake was sliced and distributed to the audience and was meant to represent the spirit of the Morris. Another added feature was a posy of flowers placed on the tip of the sword.
Folklorist Cecil Sharp came to Bampton in the first decade of the 20th century, and between the years 1908 and 1914 he collected information about the music and dance from Jinky Wells, musician for the side who sometimes accompanied the side as the Fool. However, around 1924 the team split in two, and by the mid-20th century there were teams under Francis Shergold and another under Arnold Woodley.
The Abington morris side calls this tune “Sally Luker,” according to Chris Bartram.
