Annotation:Saunders Brane

SAUNDERS BRANE. Scottish, Reel or Strathspey (whole time). Composed by Sampson Duncan (1790-1822) from Kinclaven in Fife. He played at times with both Nathaniel and Niel Gow, the latter giving him one of his fiddles on his deathbed. "The title refers to Saunders Borlum, from whom he took lessons; Duncan's father was a miller, and Saunders' payment was in 'brane', bran or oatmeal" (Alburger, 1983). Duncan in mentioned in this anecdote about Niel Gow:

On another occasion he was having a night's fiddling at Meikleour with Sampson Duncan, a good player also. Turn about they went at it. Then Niel, appealing to Charlie Thomson (grandfather of Mr. Dewar, Cleaves), asked--"Wha's best Charlie?" "Deed, we're faith guid!" was the cautious reply. "Ay," said Niel, "week ye ken that Sampson's as guid's me; only ye see"--and here he drew himself up-- "he hasna the fame!"

Additional notes

Source for notated version: -

Printed sources : - Manson (Hamilton’s Universal Tune Book, vol. 1), 1844; p. 55. Wilson (Companion to the Ball Room), 1816; p. 55.

Recorded sources: -

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