Old Tom of Oxford

This is an English tune often used for Morris dancing. Morris is an old English dance form that was originally for men but is now danced by anyone. It is danced in teams, called sides. Dancers often wear bells on their legs and carry sticks or hankies depending on the particular style or dance they are doing. Each style is named for the village in which it originated.

‘Old Tom’ is the name of a famous very large bell in Christ Church College in Oxford, England.

This arrangement highlights different ways of playing the tune.
The first time through represents the bells of Oxford.
The second time through represents a more dance-like approach. Imagine you are the musician playing for the Morris side. You need to get the dancers working together with energy and lifting their feet off the ground. Harmony 3 is very important for the rhythmic drive of this variation. The bow strokes and ‘retakes’ should be tiny movements.
The third time through is designed in a more improvisational style, as in concert performances of this tune. Although the time changes may look challenging, everyone is rhythmically in unison. The note groupings in the final section are to help students see and understand the accenting patterns that cross the bar lines.

This arrangement is suitable for beginner string players (eg end of year concert). It would work to have beginners play the first variation and then play the tune or an harmony 2 for the next two variations, while more advanced players join on other parts, or have more experienced players support each part for the second and third variations.