Vesterhavet i Skjorteaermer, Helga Soerensens Hopsa, Tater Hopsa

[Steve Harrison]

A Danish Hopsa is a traditional dance similar to a polka. I've arranged these three Hopsas as a set but they can be played individually by repeating the opening part at the end. The first one literally translates as The Western Ocean In Shirtsleeves. A Danish lady with whom I once worked explained that it was a way of describing rolling waves by likening them to shirt sleeves on a washing line being buffeted by the wind. I suppose it's no stranger than our expression 'raining cats and dogs!'. I've set the tempo  slower than would be played for dancing. They're very pleasing tunes and make a change from the jigs, hornpipes and reels often played on banjo. I first arranged the last two about ten years ago but these updated arrangements have replaced the originals in the library. The score and midi are in the library..Steve.