Annotation:Morpeth Rant (2)

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MORPETH RANT [2]. AKA and see "Old Morpeth Rant." English, Reel. B Flat Major: G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. "Morpeth Rant [2]" is an older version of the well-known "Morpeth Rant (1)" from the north east of England, different enough to warrant listing as a separate variant. In fact there were many different versions of the tune recorded in various 19th century fiddlers' manuscript books, and, while the first strain seems to have survived intact in most, the second strain shows more variation. Occasionally, members this group of older versions will go by the title "Old Morpeth Rant" to differentiate it, although most were set down in the copybooks simply as "Morpeth Rant." See, for example, versions in Cock's Collection [1] (Northumberland, early 19th century), John Moore's 1841 Tyneside music manuscript (p. 33), and versions collected and by Northumbrian musician John Bell [2] (1783-1864) in his c. 1812 manuscript, and printed by John Robson [3] (1874).

Source for notated version: Borders fiddler Tom Hughes [Callaghan].

Printed sources: Callaghan (Hardcore English), 2007; p. 95.

Recorded sources: EFDSSCD13, Our Northern Branch - "Hardcore English" (2007. Various artists).

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