A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Matelotte

by William Barclay Squire

MATELOTTE, a Dutch sailors' dance, somewhat similar to the English hornpipe. The dancers wore wooden shoes, and their arms were interlaced behind their backs. The music of the Matelotte consists of two parts in 2-4 time, and is remarkable for its short decided rhythm. There is a sabot dance in Lortzing's 'Czar und Zimmermann,' but it is not a true Matelotte, being written in waltz time. The following example is quoted by Schubert, Die Tanzmusik (Leipzig, 1867): it is there attributed to the 17th century, but no information is given as to whether it is a genuine dance tune or merely an adaptation. We quote the first strain only:—

[ W. B. S. ]