Tune History Articles

The articles below appeared in issues of Fiddler Magazine, a quarterly periodical edited and published by Mary Larsen. “Fiddle Tune History” is one of the Departments of the magazine; each issue including an article on traditional fiddle tunes from a variety of genres, along with fascinating background and contextual material that for many helps to make playing the tune ‘come alive’.

I have seldom met a fiddler who did not want to know as much as he or she could about a tune—to play the fiddle is to keep faith with tradition and history.

It’s been my distinct pleasure to have been allowed to indulge myself in this forum for these several years.

I thank Ms. Larsen for not only giving me the opportunity to exercise my interest and allowing me free reign to pursue

my curiosities, but also for producing a find periodical that each issue contains much of importance and value about fiddling.

Please be reminded that the articles are written specifically for a periodical
that has an audience with a general interest in fiddling.  I have written the
pieces to entertain and inform, and not for academic purpose or scholarship;
save my own edification.

Summer 2001, vol. 8,<o:p></o:p> No. 2<o:p></o:p>	(Untitled)<o:p></o:p>	The High Level Hornpipe, Marmaduke’s Hornpipe.<o:p></o:p>
Fall 2001, vol. 8, No. 3<o:p></o:p>	Last Request: Music and Legends of<o:p></o:p> Condemned Fiddlers<o:p></o:p>	MacPherson’s Lament, Callahan, Coleman’s <o:p></o:p> March.<o:p></o:p>
Winter 2001/2002, vol.<o:p></o:p> 8, No. 4.<o:p></o:p>	Fiddler Reprieved<o:p></o:p>	Flannery’s Dream, <st1:place><st1:PlaceType>Camp</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName>Chase</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p>
Spring 2002, vol. 9, <o:p></o:p> No. 1.<o:p></o:p>	(Untitled)<o:p></o:p>	The Graf Spee, Rothiemurchus Rant.<o:p></o:p>
Summer 2002, vol. 9, <o:p></o:p> No. 2.<o:p></o:p>	<a href="contra.htm">The Contradiction</a> <o:p></o:p>	Miss Gunning, Miss Gunning’s Reel, The <o:p></o:p> Contradiction. <o:p></o:p>
Fall 2002, vol. 9, No. 3.<o:p></o:p>	Oh, Dear Mother, My Toes are Sore!<o:p></o:p>	Kemps Jegg, Jackie Layton, Jack Lattin (with <o:p></o:p> variations).<o:p></o:p>
Winter 2002/2003, vol. <o:p></o:p> 9, No. 4. <o:p></o:p>	<a href="sirrog.htm">Sir Roger de Coverly</a><o:p></o:p>	Sir Roger de Coverly.<o:p></o:p>
Spring 2003, vol. 10, <o:p></o:p> No. 1<o:p></o:p>	The Black Joke<o:p></o:p>	Black Joak, Black Jock (Aird), Black Jock (Gow), <o:p></o:p>
Summer 2003, vol. 10, <o:p></o:p> No. 2. <o:p></o:p>	<a href="greateastern.htm">The Great Eastern</a><o:p></o:p>	La Grondeuse, Silver Spire, Bennet’s Reel,<o:p></o:p> The Great Eastern Reel.<o:p></o:p>
Fall 2003, vol. 10, No. 3<o:p></o:p>	<a href="speed.htm">Speed the Plow</a><o:p></o:p>	Speed the Plow. <o:p></o:p>
Winter 2003/2004, vol. <o:p></o:p> 10, No. 4<o:p></o:p>	<a href="ned.htm">Oh, Ned!</a><o:p></o:p>	Ned Kendall’s Hornpipe, Ned Kendall’s <o:p></o:p> Favorite, Ned Kendall’s, Salem Hornpipe.<o:p></o:p>
Spring 2004, vol. 11, <o:p></o:p> No. 1.<o:p></o:p>	<a href="circus.htm">At the Circus</a><o:p></o:p>	Leslie’s Hornpipe, Astley’s Ride, Rickett’s <o:p></o:p> Hornpipe, Durang’s Hornpipe. <o:p></o:p>
Summer 2004, vol. 11, <o:p></o:p> No. 2.<o:p></o:p>	<a href="dancers.htm">The Dancers</a><o:p></o:p>	Nancy Dawson’s Hornpipe, Aldridge’s Hornpipe,<o:p></o:p> Richer’s Hornpipe, Dick Sands’ Hornpipe, <o:p></o:p> Big John McNeil, Dinkie’s, Glenn Towle.<o:p></o:p>
Fall 2004, vol. 11, No. 3.<o:p></o:p>	<a href="off.htm">And, Off We Go…</a><o:p></o:p>	Off to <st1:State><st1:place>California</st1:place></st1:State>, Fireman’s Reel, Silver Cluster,<o:p></o:p> Far from Home, Possum Up a Gum Stump.<o:p></o:p>
Winter 2004/2005, vol.<o:p></o:p> 11, No. 4.<o:p></o:p>	<a href="air.htm">Air Apparent</a><o:p></o:p>	Hector the Hero, Queen of the Earth and Child of <o:p></o:p> the Skies, Amhrán na Leabhar (Song of the Books).<o:p></o:p>
Spring 2005, vol. 12, <o:p></o:p> No. 1.<o:p></o:p>	The Misses <st1:City><st1:place>Johnston</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p>	Miss Johnston of Hilton, Miss Lucy Johnston’s<o:p></o:p> Compliments to Niel Gow, The Bridegroom Grat.<o:p></o:p>
Summer 2005, vol. 12, <o:p></o:p> No. 2. <o:p></o:p>	<a href="king.htm">The King of the Patrons</a><o:p></o:p>	Honorable Mr. Ramsay Maule’s Reel, Honorable <o:p></o:p> Mrs. Maule’s Reel, Miss Maule’s Strathspey. <o:p></o:p>
Fall 2005, vol. 12, No. 3.<o:p></o:p>	<a href="ryan1.htm">Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 1)</a><o:p></o:p>	President Garfield’s, President Grant’s Hornpipe,<o:p></o:p> General Longstreet’s, Wade Hampton’s Hornpipe.<o:p></o:p>
Winter 2005/2006, vol. <o:p></o:p> 12, No. 4.<o:p></o:p>	<a href="Ryan'sII.htm">Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 2)</a><o:p></o:p>	Vendome Hornpipe, The American Rifle Team.<o:p></o:p>
Spring 2006, vol. 13, <o:p></o:p> No. 1<o:p></o:p>	<a href="Ryan'sIII.htm">Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 3)</a><o:p></o:p>	Fagan and Fenton’s, Fred Wilson’s<o:p></o:p>
Summer 2006, Vol. 13, <o:p></o:p> No. 2<o:p></o:p>	<a href="Ryan'sIV.htm">Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 4)</a><o:p></o:p>	Minnie Foster’s Clog, Lotta’s Favorite<o:p></o:p>
Spring 2007, Vol. 14, <o:p></o:p> No. 1<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p>	<a href="A_Well_Traveled_Melody.htm">A Well-Traveled Melody</a><o:p></o:p>	Glenbeigh Hornpipe, Military Schottische, Bielbie’s<o:p></o:p> Hornpipe, The Original Schottische Polka [1], The <o:p></o:p> Original Schottische Polka [2]. <o:p></o:p>
Summer 2007, Vol. 14,<o:p></o:p> No. 2<o:p></o:p>	<a href="Playingponies1.htm">Fiddle Tunes at the Races</a><o:p></o:p>	Hexham Races, <st1:City><st1:place>Hamilton</st1:place></st1:City> Races, Knutsford Races,<o:p></o:p> <st1:City><st1:place>Newmarket</st1:place></st1:City> Races<o:p></o:p>
Fall 2007, Vol. 14, <o:p></o:p> No. 3<o:p></o:p>	<a href="Playingponies2.htm">Playing the Ponies</a><o:p></o:p>	Curragh Races, New Market, Bee’s Wing, <o:p></o:p> Wagoner, Grey Eagle<o:p></o:p>
Winter 2007/08, Vol. 14,<o:p></o:p> No. 4<o:p></o:p>	<a href="Surviving_Playford.htm">Surviving Playford</a><o:p></o:p>	The Frost is all over, Hey to the Camp, Untitled <o:p></o:p> Air, The Mask<o:p></o:p>
Spring 2008, Vol. 15, <o:p></o:p> No. 1<o:p></o:p>	<a href="Black_Sloven.htm">The Black Sloven</a><o:p></o:p>	Colonel Pickering’s March to <st1:City><st1:place>Lexington</st1:place></st1:City>, The <o:p></o:p> Black Seven, The Black Sloven<o:p></o:p>
Summer 2008, Vol. 15, <o:p></o:p> No. 2 & Fall 2008, <o:p></o:p> Vol. 15, No. 3<o:p></o:p>	<a href="opera.htm">A Night at the Opera</a><o:p></o:p>	Dead March in Saul, Mr. Cosgill’s Delight, March <o:p></o:p> from Solomon, Doctor Haydn, Blowzabella, <o:p></o:p> Michael Turner’s Waltz, Annan Polka<o:p></o:p>
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