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Rock Andy/Rock Candy
Old-Time Song and Breakdown;
ARTIST: G.W. “Doc” Chapman; from his son.
CATEGORY: Fiddle and Instrumental Tunes
DATE: 1800's from G.W. “Doc” Chapman, born in 1853.
RECORDING INFO: Owen “Snake” Chapman (Canada, Pike County, Ky., 1995) [Titon]. Titon (Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes), 2001; No. 66, pg. 95. Rounder 0378, Owen “Snake” Chapman – “Up in Chapman’s Hollow” (1996). Rounder Heritage Series 1166-11592-2, Owen “Snake” Chapman (et al) – “The Art of Traditional Fiddle” (2001). Pearl Mae 001B, Jim Taylor & Bruce Greene – “Falls of Richmond” (1989). Jim Taylor – “The Civil War Collection“ (1996).
RELATED TO: Rock Candy; Candy Gal/Candy Girl
OTHER NAMES: “I’ll Learn You How to Rock Andy;” “Rock Candy.”
SOURCES: Kuntz; Rec.Music; Mudcat;
NOTES ROCK ANDY: AKA – “I’ll Learn You How to Rock Andy.” AKA and see “Rock Candy.” Old‑Time, Breakdown. A Mixolydian. Standard. AA’B. From Pike County, eastern Kentucky, fiddler Owen “Snake” Chapman, a retired coal-miner, learned from his father, G.W. “Doc” Chapman, born in 1853. Family lore has it that Owen’s grandfather split rails with Abraham Linclon. “Doc” Chapman sang these words below to the tune, according to his son.
The title is a corruption of ‘Rock Candy’, the name of a now-forgotten dance form, explains Mark Wilson, which makes more sense than Owen Chapman’s story that involves a farmer who took his slave down to the river to practice throwing rocks at Yankee soldiers. Titon (2001) identifies the tune as being in the “Paddy on the Turnpike” family, related to “Ducks on/in the Pond” and the high part of “June Apple.” Source for notated version:
ROCK CANDY: Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Mississippi. A Major. See also “Rock Andy.” Recorded in 1939 by Herbert Halpert for the Library of Congress from the playing of Clarke County, Mississippi, fiddler Charles Long (who was originally from Choctaw County, Alabama). Rock Candy, sometimes given as Rock Andy, is the name of a now-forgotten dance form, according to Mark Wilson.
Evidence of this dance is found in "The Southern Workman and Hampton School Record," Volume 28 By Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute 1899:
"Rock Candy Joe" was a play in which the old-fashioned "break down" was danced, and "Husko Ladies Turn," a play almost identical, with the old Virginia Reel.
The Current: Volume 1 - Page 248- 1883 - They had all "jined hands," and were dancing around in a circle and singing to a not unpleasing air the following:
"Rock candy, candy gal —
Rock candy, candy gal —
Rock candy, candy gal —
See lady, rock candy !
Wan' some candy een dat ring —
Wan' some candy een dat ring —
Wan' some candy een dat ring —
See lady, rock candy! ....
After the completion of this song, the crowd paused only to catch breath, then joined hands, and, dancing around in a circle, sang to a pleasing air the following:
Rock candy, candy gal—rock candy, candy gal—
Rock candy, candy gal—see lady rock candy!
When the above had been repeated several times, the girl Dilsey and a great, strapping young negro called Josh were chosen and took their position within the circle. This done, all dropped hands and began to "pat" and sing:
Face dat lady fum Baltimo'—
Face dat lady fum Baltimo'—
Face dat lady fum Baltimo'—
See lady rock candy!
The Century illustrated monthly magazine, Volume 35 1888:
The tune changed. Old Morris, the fiddler, began a quaint march, and two by two the dancers promenaded around, the clear voices of the women leading the song:
"Turn 'er high, turn lady,
Turn 'er high, turn lady,
Turn lor'. Turn lor'.
Turn dat lady Cymlin;
Turn dat lady 'roun'."
The men turned their partners with one hand held overhead, and "the lady" spun until her dress swelled out like a balloon. Then she bowed and the men patted quick time, all singing, while their partners sprang to the center and danced:
"Knock candy, Candy gal;
Knock candy, Candy gal;
No harm to knock candy;
Littl' in de wais' an' pretty in de face;
No harm to knock candy;
Two ways to knock Candy gal;
No harm to knock candy."
Here are the lyrics to Rock Andy from Owen Chapman:
ROCK ANDY
G.W. “Doc” Chapman, born in 1853
Massy he bought me
Then Massy he sold me
Then they took me down by the riverside.
And learned me how to rock Andy.
Chorus:
You can rock them ladies but you can’t rock me (x3)
I’ll learn you how to rock Andy.
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