SQUARE DANCE TUNE ORIGINS CROSS-REFERENCE 

 

Square dancing is done to many different genres of music. Some of the most popular square dance tunes have been derived from tunes that are lesser known outside of square dancing, (which makes it hard to find details such as original lyrics or how the original song sounded). Sometimes different names have been used for the square dance tune than was originally used.

 

It can be really useful for callers to hear how the tune was performed in the real world of music. Not only to understand the words better, but to also understand other factors such as the emotion that was originally intended by the various performancers. Also by researching the origins of a tune you can find out a bit of the history of the tune and performers that did it. It can help you make a presentation of a tune that is unique and add enterntainment value.

 

During my research I have even found two square dance tunes, with different names, and different arrangements of both lyrics and music, that sound  so completely different - that they must have come from two different original tunes. But on closer examination they were actually found to come from a common original tune. {I'm getting good at missing you (Rhythm) / Solitaire (Ranch House)}.

 

I have attempted to build a cross-reference to many of the tunes that have been used for square dancing. But I still have a few gaps and need help to fill these gaps. If you can help me fill in the gaps please send  me information. I have included links to the master spreadsheet and a secondary spreedsheet with a summary of missing information. Both spreadsheets allow you to make changes.