Donkey Riding is an old sailor’s song that originated on ships that sailed from Glasgow, Scotland and Liverpool, England to bring back timber from Canada. Donkey Riding was sung as a work song to help the sailors load lumber onto the ship decks. The “Donkey” in the title refers to the donkey engines used in loading the cargo onto the ships. The melody is based on the Scottish march Highland Laddie which had also been transformed into a sea chantey. The sea chantey was not related to the work song, but was sung by British and American sailors plying the Atlantic Ocean. A version of Donkey Riding was sung by cotton stowers on Mobile, Alabama. This famous folksong has been brilliantly arranged for concert band. Melody is found throughout the ensemble and rhythmic variety keeps the piece interesting and exciting for both players and the audience. Creative writing and a popular melody make this an ideal piece for contest use.
