Howe's # 15

Comment by Wes Merchant on February 15, 2014 at 7:22am

I've usually seen this called Life on the Ocean Wave, though I had not played that third part until I saw it in this book. It sounds like maybe a little dance interlude between verses. Thank's Tim.

Comment by Wes Merchant on February 15, 2014 at 9:01am

I did a bit more poking around and it appears that Life on the Ocean Wave is the original song circa 1838, it was adapted for the minstrel stage as Life by the Galley Fire. The song tunes are pretty much as they appear in Howe's book. It seems the third part was dropped when the tune became a dance tune. I've heard it as a singing square dance call as well.

Comment by Al Smitley on February 15, 2014 at 9:05am

Thanks for the date on "Life on the Ocean Wave".  I had wondered about it.

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