The Devil's Dream
Encyclopedia
"The Devil's Dream" is an old fiddle tune of unknown origins. Played as either a jig
or a reel
, it is attested to as a popular tune from at least 1834 in New England
. It also appears in a folk tale from central England
dated to c. 1805.
"The Devil's Dream" is, and has been since its introduction, a popular tune with fiddlers and dancers and has been recorded numerous times.
It is used by Bernard Herrmann as one of the principal themes in the film score to the movie The Devil and Daniel Webster to represent the plight of the New Hampshire farmers.
", popularized by Johnny Lee
Jig
The Jig is a form of lively folk dance, as well as the accompanying dance tune, originating in England in the 16th century and today most associated with Irish dance music and Scottish country dance music...
or a reel
Reel (dance)
The reel is a folk dance type as well as the accompanying dance tune type. In Scottish country dancing, the reel is one of the four traditional dances, the others being the jig, the strathspey and the waltz, and is also the name of a dance figure ....
, it is attested to as a popular tune from at least 1834 in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. It also appears in a folk tale from central England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
dated to c. 1805.
"The Devil's Dream" is, and has been since its introduction, a popular tune with fiddlers and dancers and has been recorded numerous times.
It is used by Bernard Herrmann as one of the principal themes in the film score to the movie The Devil and Daniel Webster to represent the plight of the New Hampshire farmers.
Pop Culture
Mentioned in Michael Martin Murphy's song "Cherokee FiddleCherokee Fiddle
"Cherokee Fiddle" is the title of a song written by Michael Martin Murphey and recorded by American country music artist Johnny Lee. It was released in October 1982 as the first single from the album Sounds Like Love. The song reached #10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.-Chart...
", popularized by Johnny Lee
Johnny Lee
Johnny Lee is an American country music singer. His 1980 single, "Lookin' for Love" not only spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard country singles chart in the second half of 1980 but also went to the Top 5 on the Pop charts, and Top 10 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary survey...