Although often considered Irish, perhaps because it is about a potato, this tune was actually composed by Nova Scotia fiddler Colin J. Boyd. The tune was written in Boston between 1911 and 1916, while the composer was studying music there. It was based on an old Scottish jig that reached the author via Cape Breton.
Grumbling Old Man, Growling Old Woman - D Major / A MinorReeli
:
A
G
A
EA
A
G
Am
EmAm
:
:
Am
G
Am
GAm
Am
G
Am
GAm
:
Tune Information
Author: Traditional
Origin: Canada - Quebec
This is a Québec reel popularized by Maritime radio and TV fiddler Don Messer. It was taken up by revival fiddlers in the early 1970's, became a staple of New England contra dance repertoire, and has since become widely disseminated. It is also known as Growling Old Man and Cackling Old Woman, La Marmotteuse, La Chicaneuse, La Disputeuse, and by other names.