Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Thursday, July 12, 2012

HOEDOWN!!!

The Rogue Speaks:

Time to lay your HOE down!!


When I was a little girl, my grandparents lived on a farm.  It wasn't a working farm per se--my grandfather was retired as a civil engineer, and the farm was his relaxation.  He did have a corn field, with a mule and a plow, and he hired someone to plow the field.  He had a couple of pigs, and some wonderful goats, and a few laying hens that lived in his barn.

That barn was a fascination to me.  Usually the cars were parked there, along with the animals,  but about once a year, everything would get cleaned out, and my grandparents would have a barndance for all their friends.  They had some fiddlers, and a caller, and the entire barn was decorated with crepe paper.

 This is NOT our barn!

I was pretty little--maybe four years old--the last time they had a barndance.  My grandfather died the following year, when I was five.  But I will never forget that last big barndance, because the caller called a HOEDOWN.



Many people think that a hoedown is a party, but it is actually a kind of dance competition at the barndance.  The dance is fast--usually 2/4 time--and is related to a jig, or a reel (many times The Virginia Reel was used for the competition), or a clog dance.  Each dancer tries to outdance the last.  The caller uses "patter call,"  which is a call that is spoken or chanted, rather than sung.



I will always remember that last barndance at my grandparents' farm, and the wonderful hoedowns that I witnessed that night!  Now head on over to Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday and read some of the other lessons the students have prepared for Jenny's class!



19 comments:

Susan Anderson said...

What a great memory, Judie. Thanks for sharing it!

=)

anitamombanita said...

It never occurred to me what the origin of Hoe-Down was. Fun fun post!

Robin said...

Thanks for sharing that information. I think many people, myself included, thought that a hoedown referred to the party/dance in general, and not to one dance in specific. Just goes to show that unless you have actually been to a barn dance you don't know what you're missing! Sounds like fun!!!

Monica said...

What a great memory - that sounds like so much fun!

Lmkazmierczak said...

Great H word....learned something new too♫♪

Ames said...

That sounds like so much fun! Good thing you witnessed such a fest! Some things were better in the past. I think? I can do the jig. But it takes a few jiggers before I can get up and make a fool out of myself! Ha!~Ames

21 Wits said...

You've been watching Hee-Haw too haven't you?! This was such a treat to read about your lovely memories! Such fun and great photos too! Now I feel like dancing!

Pondside said...

You're so lucky to have such memories despite the young age at which you lost your grandfather. The barn dances really made an impression on you! I've only ever been to one barn dance and that was in Denmark - it was fun, but a bit odd, given that I'd been raised on images from Hee Haw.

Lola said...

Such fun - wish we could go to a barn dance. Nothing like that here! Sigh! :-(

XOXO Lola & Nora:)

Jo said...

what a beautiful memory to hold dear!

JJ said...

Before we moved to NH in 1987, we lived in Vermont, and barn dances were still popular. Sawdust on the ground and nothing but fun. I hope everyone gets to enjoy one at least once.

C said...

Yee-Hah! I am never disappointed when I visit your blog.
Hope all is well with you.

Namaste............cj

cj Schlottman said...

Yee-Hah! I am never disappointed when I visit your blog.
Hope all is well with you.

Namaste............cj

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

It is amazing what a young child can remember, and this is a beautiful memory, Judie!

bluzdude said...

That's what I expect to hear when there's sniper fire in the Red Light District...

"There's a HOEDOWN!"

Annesphamily said...

Judie your memory is beautiful! I was just reminiscing with my hubby about being in the 3rd grade and learning to "square dance"! I am picturing this barn dance and hoedown! What a delight!

Splendid Little Stars said...

I didn't realize that a hoedown is really a competition. I've seen that term used for what you would call a barn dance.
When my friends got married--on their farm--last Summer, they had a barn dance--outside!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

What fun! Wouldn't it have been awesome to have a movie (video) of some of the barndances and hoedowns held by your grandparents!

Blessings & Aloha!
(still catching up on H posts :o) Hope you get a chance to stop by)....and ever since our family events in March, April and May, I have still been behind on blog visiting! Hope your move is going well!

Jenny said...

What wonderful memories, Judie!

We love square dances. Our oldest daughter had a square dance caller at her wedding and it was fabulous!

I didn't realize that hoedown meant this! I'll remember it for the next time I plan one!

See you Sunday!

Thanks for linking.

A+