Morris dancers pass through Wheatley in 1979

  1. The Wheatley Processional, MDT
  2. Bobbing-A-Joe, CJS MSS
  3. Constant Billy, CJS MSS
  4. Shepherds' Hey, CJS MSS
  5. Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be? (The common song tune)
  6. Trunkles, CJS MSS
  7. Room for the Cuckoo, CJS MSS
Sources: 

MB III; CJS MSS (RD); Francis Fryer (RD)

The Wheatley tradition died at the end of the nineteenth century, traditionally because the Bagman (today the equivalent of a secretary-cum-treasurer} ran off with the funds! In 1894, it was said of them that ‘they practised all the winter in Hunt’s hovel, and were the best set on that side of the country.’ By the turn of the century they appeared only at Christmas and some of the dancers left the village. The last known dancers apparently died in the 1920s: Alfred Currill of Littleworth (in the parish) and A. E. Gomme of Horton-cum-Studley. Fortunately everything did not die with them since, apart from the late nineteenth century notes, Cecil Sharp and others collected information on the village’s dances early in the twentieth century before they were entirely forgotten.

For a full account the Wheatley Morris Men produced an excellent write up in 1977, the second anniversary of the latest revival side.

https://www.wheatleyarchive.org.uk/images/files/2449-wheatley-morris-men-converted.pdf

Tunes from the Wheatley tradition

ABC file Sheet music Audio file
Bobbing a Joe Binary Data ABC PDF icon PDF
Constant Billy Binary Data ABC PDF icon PDF
Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be? Binary Data ABC PDF icon PDF
Room for the Cuckoo Binary Data ABC PDF icon PDF
Shepherds Hey Binary Data ABC PDF icon PDF
Trunkles Binary Data ABC PDF icon PDF
Wheatley Processional Binary Data ABC PDF icon PDF