Annotation:Earl of Balcarras March

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EARL OF BALCARRAS MARCH. Scottish, March. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The march first appears in John Watlen's Celebrated Circus Tunes (Edinburgh, 1791) where it is attributed to the Countess Balcarras. Watlen also published it in his Collection of Celebrated Marches & Quick Steps (Edinburgh, 1798, p. 2). The march was reprinted--as, indeeed, were all the tunes in Watlen's 1791 collection--in Glasgow publisher James Aird's Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs, vol. 4 (1796, p. 49). Lady Balcarras

Alexander Lindsay, 6th Earl of Balcarees

Alexander Lindsay (1752-1825), the 6th Earl of Balcarres, served in the British army during the American Revolution. In 1777 he commended the 53rd Regiment of the Light Infantry, under the command of General Burgoyne, and was with him at the battle of Saratoga, New York. Along with the rest of Burgoyne's army, he surrendered to the American forces October 17 of that year. One of the American commanders opposing him was General Benedict Arnold, prior to his betrayal of West Point to the British. In fact, Arnold was brave and heroic during this battle, and did much to secure the victory. Lindsay spent two years in captivity before being exchanged. Some time later, in England, the Earl and Arnold were introduced by King George III, and Lindsay, somewhat taken by surprise, drew back and exclaimed, "What, sire! The traitor Arnold!" Arnold could not let the public slight go and issued a challenge. A duel resulted in which the antagonists were to fire at a given signal. Arnold fired and missed, leaving his fate in the Earl's hands. However, Lindsay simply turned and walked away. "Why don't you fire, my lord?" asked Arnold. "Sir," said Lord Balcarras, glancing back, "I leave you to the executioners."

Lord Balcarres continued to rise in rank and prestige, and was appointed governor of Jersey, and then of Jamaica. On his return from Jamaica in 1801 he lived chiefly at the family's second residence at Haigh, which had been in a state of decay, but which he perfectly restored, as well as the fortunes of his family. Lindsay's sister was Lady Anne Barnard, famous as the composer of the ballad "Auld Robin Gray." His wife, Elizabeth Dalrymple Lindsay, was a pianist and composer of several printed melodies (see Annotation:Vulcan's March).

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Aird (Selection of Scotch, Enlgish, Irish and Foreign Airs, vol. 4), 1796; No. 127, p. 49. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 189, p. 109.

Recorded sources:

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