“Staten Island Hornpipe” is an old tune, in print as early as 1782 in a Scottish collection. Its title may refer to British troops stationed on Staten Island during the Revolution, or to the island off Tierra del Fuego that sailors passed on the long voyage home.
A bright hornpipe, the tune was revived during the folk revival of the 1960s and became closely tied to American contra-dance music. From there it found its way into old-time and bluegrass playing.
The tune is a favorite among fiddlers.
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