Annotation:Gilderoy (1)
Back to Gilderoy (1)
GILDEROY [1]. Scottish (originally), English, Irish; Hornpipe, Reel and Air. A Minor. Standard tuning (tuning). AABB. An earlier, minor key, relative of what was later called "Red Haired Boy (The)" family of tunes (for which see "Gilderoy (2)," a closely related group of tunes that are predominantly in the mixolydian mode). Caoimhin Mac Aoidh explains that the name 'Gilderoy' is an English corruption of the Gaelic words Giolla Ruaidh; giolla is generally taken to mean a servant or a young person, while ruaidh literally means red, though when used in conjunction with a person it refers to red hair. Interestingly, he mentions that in modern Scotland and Ireland hunting and fishing stalkers or guides are still referred to in anglicised form as 'Gilles'. The hero of the ballad "Gilderoy" was a historical personage, a Scottish freebooter of the notorious Clan MacGregor, seven of whose gang were taken by the Stewarts of Athol and hanged in Edinburgh in July, 1638. Robin Williamson maintains the ballad was well known as far away as England by the middle of the 17th century, a decade or two later. An early printing appears in the (James) Gillespie Manuscript of Perth, 1768. The title appears in Henry Robson's list of popular Northumbrian song and dance tunes, which he published c. 1800.
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Barnes (English Country Dance Tunes, vol. 2), 2005; p. 49. Kennedy (Fiddlers Tune Book), vol. 1, 1951; No. 28, p. 14. McGibbon (Scots Tunes, book III), 1762; p. 70. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; p. 188.
Recorded sources: Flying Fish FF 358, Robin Williamson - "Legacy of the Scottish Harpers, vol. 1."