Annotation:Christmas Day Ida Mornin' (1)

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CHRISTMAS DAY IDA MORNIN' [1]. AKA and see "Day Dawn (Da)." Shetland, Air (12/8 or 6/8 time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. A listening tune from the Shetland Island of Unst. Patrick Shuldham-Shaw collected the tune from John Stickle (1875-1957) of Unst, whose ancestor Friedemann Stickle was famous as a fiddler in the eighteenth and early 19th century. Although some think Stickle composed it, Pat Shuldham-Shaw though it might have been older. Friedemann was paid to play this tune every year on Christmas morning in the hall of his laird, the Laird of Muness {or Buness}." The late Shetland fiddler, collector and teacher Tom Anderson stated that Feidemann had composed the tune on the road from his croft at Burrafirth to Buness and also remembered that Stickle was called 'Stumpie' because he walked with a limp. It is possible that the tune's rhythm reflects the rhythm of Stickle's walk. Anderson also maintained the words "Christmas Day ida Mournin'" can be heard at the end of the tune.

Source for notated version: Tom Anderson (Shetland) via Boys of the Lough [Brody].

Printed sources: Brody (Fiddler's Fakebook), 1983; p. 68. Williamson (English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish Fiddle Tunes), 1976; p. 55.

Recorded sources: Culburnie Records CUL 121D, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas - "Fire and Grace" (2004). Familiar Records 59, Pyewackett - "This Crazy Paradise" (1986). Kicking Mule 205, Delaware Water Gap- "From the Rivers of Babylon to the Land of Jazz." Rounder 3006, Boys of the Lough- "Second Album" (1974).

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