derry down, down derry
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:22 pm
So after looking at the Good Word: Fie! I was wondering what "derry", and "derry down" might mean? So first, I read that derry & derry down are just refrains from old songs. Right!? Although scat singing is cool, I don't think that was an accurate definition.
After poking around it seems that "derry" is Gaelic for oak-grove! Thus "derry" means oak-grove, as in Derrydonnell, Derrybeg, Derrydown, Merrydown, Heydown, Hoedown, Derry Derry down....
So then "down" in this context could mean a coup things, such as "the lower portion" or to "lower". This o would make sense in a dance context where people might dance to the songs, similar to a dance caller giving instructions. Calling "derry down" might mean that the folks should form an arch with their hands, like an oak grove arch, and that a couple should "move on down" through the arch.
I have done some English/American folk dancing and there is a lot of couples in rows changing places down the center of two rows of people. Also some dropping of the arches to capture couples.
So some of this is conjecture but I think it is plausible. I wanted to submit "derry" or "derry down" as the Good Word but there just ain't no call for oak-grov'ng in modern life. (sigh!) You can see how disappointed I would be, see avatar.
P.S. "Down" can also mean ; to prune & to polish. Who knew! So derry down, down derry" could mean in a whimsical way "oak grove pruning, prune the oak grove". Adds more validity to the dance arch dropping down doesn't it?
After poking around it seems that "derry" is Gaelic for oak-grove! Thus "derry" means oak-grove, as in Derrydonnell, Derrybeg, Derrydown, Merrydown, Heydown, Hoedown, Derry Derry down....
So then "down" in this context could mean a coup things, such as "the lower portion" or to "lower". This o would make sense in a dance context where people might dance to the songs, similar to a dance caller giving instructions. Calling "derry down" might mean that the folks should form an arch with their hands, like an oak grove arch, and that a couple should "move on down" through the arch.
I have done some English/American folk dancing and there is a lot of couples in rows changing places down the center of two rows of people. Also some dropping of the arches to capture couples.
So some of this is conjecture but I think it is plausible. I wanted to submit "derry" or "derry down" as the Good Word but there just ain't no call for oak-grov'ng in modern life. (sigh!) You can see how disappointed I would be, see avatar.
P.S. "Down" can also mean ; to prune & to polish. Who knew! So derry down, down derry" could mean in a whimsical way "oak grove pruning, prune the oak grove". Adds more validity to the dance arch dropping down doesn't it?