Where are we?

This is a Glossary item.

Hoedown

A hoedown is a square dance, or a gathering where a square dance is featured. The word is commonly used to describe any country or hillbilly type gathering, generally one with fiddle and banjo music. Hoedowns were originally harvest festivals of sorts, a gathering held in the fall as the crops were brought in. The farmers who attended would put their hoes down and come to a dance, hence the word "hoedown".

In the Improv world, Hoedown refers to a song structure made popular by the TV show Who'se Line Is It Anyway. It's a simple melody, with 4 lines to a verse, and no chorus. Rhyme pattern in the verse is usually ABCB.

You'll find a MIDI version of the WLIIA song, as well as sheet music for a simplified version on our Music page.

People with dogs are cowards c'se they don't have the guts to bite others themselves --- August Strindberg