Turtle Frolic

These are two tunes mentioned as being danced there on Goat's Island on the coast of New England back in British colony days. On December 23, 1752, the fine people of Newport, Rhode Island got together for a turtle frolic, a local gent having sent a big sea turtle home as a gift from the Barbadoes. Rum punch and sea turtle and country-dancing were among the enjoyments -- these two tunes, Faithful Shepherd and Pease Straw, were 'allemanded and footed' until the moon came up full.

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