360 Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-18 



Phrases 



D / j ci 



4 4 



E ( k 1 bi 



4 4 4 



F [ ki m n o 



4 4 4 2 



G / k^ p q r- 



4 4 5i 2 



H f s t 



2 4 4 



U V w 



4 4 4 



X y 



12 4 



As may easily be seen, this Russian dance song is of the type which goes 

 on and on with no attempt at form, although there are some almost bewildering 

 pitch shifts which may or may not be intentional. In this particular tune it 

 seems as if most of them are. There are a few interesting sequences. The chief 

 peculiarities are the chromatics and the modulations while the upward skips 

 are also well-marked features. From the beginning of the phrase H on, there 

 seems to be a continual flatting which makes the determination of the real 

 melody almost impossible, as well as its relation to earlier parts of the song, 

 if indeed there is any. It is so complicated in many ways that its Russian 

 derivation seems altogether likely. The rapid tempo is a feature which we have 

 found to be characteristic of the region, as far as the songs collected are any 

 proof. The tune begins on the last half-beat of the measure, on the tonic of 

 Eb major, but as the changes are so kaleidoscopic and there are not many 

 phrases which end on the same tone, it is impossible to predict what would be 

 the final end if the song were finished, which it seems not to have been here, 

 although after the singer stopped there is a long period of breathless laughter. 



