Transcript

File: macdonaldhilda-oh-womensrole_M.mp3

Speakers:

HM – Hilda MacPhee MacDonald

GM – George MacPhee (Hilda’s nephew)

KP – Curator Ken Perlman

KP: And how old were you when you started playing for dances yourself?

HM: Oh, I never played at very many dances.

GM: She played at weddings.

KP: You played at weddings? Why didn't you play at the dances?

HM: Never played very much at the dances. It was always mostly on the organ that I played with the violin players. Didn't play very much in the fiddling for dancing, not very much.

KP: Was there any reason for that or you just didn't like to?

HM: Yes. I never liked to play for the dances. There was lots of other fiddlers. There's always plenty others men that would play. I'd sooner dance than play. (laughter)

KP: Did you play at parties?

GM: You played at lots of parties, didn't you?

HM: Oh, I didn't play at very many parties now.

GM: (laughs) She played at lots of parties.

HM: Not very many. No I didn't play at many casue there'd be men players for that, you know! I played the organ a lot. I'd be killed on the organ all night. (laughter)

KP: Was it that the men didn't like when you played? Or was it that considered a man's job?

HM: No, they would take their turns playing. When one man would get done like George here - One man would get done playin there was always another fiddler to take his place. So I didn't have to play much at parties.