Annotation:Whitehaven Volunteers

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WHITEHAVEN VOLUNTEERS. English, March or Country Dance Tune (2/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The melody is in a similar vein to “Petronella.” The Whitehaven Volunteers were probably a local militia unit raised during the Napoleonic Wars, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, England, although Barry Callaghan says they were raised for the American War of Independence in 1778. A racing purse in the name of the Whitehaven Volunteers (‘The Whitehaven Volunteers’ Plate’) survived until at least until the mid-1860’s when winners for the Whitehaven racecourse were announced in the racing calendars. It is sometimes played as a hornpipe, schottische or barndance, depending on the amount of “swing” or dotted rhythms are employed.

Source for notated version: the music manuscript collection of William Docker (Newby Head, Cumbria) [Callaghan, Knowles].

Printed sources: Callaghan (Hardcore English), 2007; p. 54. Knowles (A Northern Lass), 1995; p. 15.

Recorded sources: Harbourtown Records HARCD 047, The Boat Band – “A Trip to the Lakes” (2006).

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