A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hornpipe

by George Grove

HORNPIPE. An English dance, probably called after an obsolete instrument, of which nothing but the name is known. The 'College Hornpipe' is a well-known and spirited specimen. It is in two sections of 8 bars, each ending with three beats of the foot, like the Branle. [See p. 289.] We quote the first section; there is no repeat, but the tune closes with the three hut bars of the quotation.

[App. p.679 "The last four quavers of [bar 6] should be C, B, A, G, i. e. a third higher than the notes given."]

Hornpipes were much written in the last century, and Dr. Stainer (Dict. of Musical Terms) and Mr. Chappell (Popular Music) give specimens with various dates from 1700 to 1800. The older ones are in 3-2 time; the later ones, as above, in common time.

Handel ends the 7th of his 12 Grand Concertos with one which may serve as a specimen of the Hornpipe artistically treated.

etc.

In his 'Semele' the Chorus 'Now Love, that everlasting boy,' is headed alla Hornpipe.

The airs 'My Love is but a lassie yet' and 'The British Grenadier,' and the hymn tune 'Helmsley,' are hornpipes; the last, indeed, strongly resembles Miss Catley's hornpipe, 1780. [App. p.679 "On Miss Catley's hornpipe see vol. i. p. 326b, 763b, and vol. ii. 161b."]

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