Tune History Articles

The articles below appeared in issues of Fiddler Magazine, a quarterly periodical edited and published by Mary Larsen. “Fiddle Tune History” is one of the Departments of the magazine; each issue including an article on traditional fiddle tunes from a variety of genres, along with fascinating background and contextual material that for many helps to make playing the tune ‘come alive’.

I have seldom met a fiddler who did not want to know as much as he or she could about a tune—to play the fiddle is to keep faith with tradition and history.

It’s been my distinct pleasure to have been allowed to indulge myself in this forum for these several years. I thank Ms. Larsen for not only giving me the opportunity to exercise my interest and allowing me free reign to pursue my curiosities, but also for producing a fine periodical that each issue contains much of importance and value about fiddling.

Please be reminded that the articles are written specifically for a periodical
that has an audience with a general interest in fiddling.  I have written the
pieces to entertain and inform, and not for academic purpose or scholarship;
save my own edification.

The articles are listed in order of their appearance in the magazine:

Fiddler Issue:	Article Title:	Tunes Included:
Summer 2001, vol. 8, No. 2	(Untitled)	The High Level Hornpipe, Marmaduke’s Hornpipe.
Fall 2001, vol. 8, No. 3	Last Request: Music and Legends of Condemned Fiddlers	MacPherson’s Lament, Callahan, Coleman’s March.
Winter 2001/2002, vol. 8, No. 4.	Fiddler Reprieved	Flannery’s Dream, Camp Chase.
Spring 2002, vol. 9, No. 1.	(Untitled)	The Graf Spee, Rothiemurchus Rant.
Summer 2002, vol. 9, No. 2.	The Contradiction	Miss Gunning, Miss Gunning's Reel, Contradiction (The)
Fall 2002, vol. 9, No. 3.	Oh, Dear Mother, My Toes are Sore!	Kemps Jegg, Jackie Layton, Jack Lattin (with variations).
Winter 2002/2003, vol. 9, No. 4.	Sir Roger de Coverly	Sir Roger de Coverly.
Spring 2003, vol. 10, No. 1	The Black Joke	Black Joak, Black Jock (Aird), Black Jock (Gow),
Summer 2003, vol. 10, No. 2.	The Great Eastern	Grondeuse (La), Silver Spire, Bennet's Reel, Great Eastern Reel (The).
Fall 2003, vol. 10, No. 3	Speed the Plow	Speed the Plow.
Winter 2003/2004, vol. 10, No. 4	Oh, Ned!	Ned Kendall's Hornpipe, Ned Kendall's Favorite, Ned Kendall's, Salem Hornpipe.
Spring 2004, vol. 11, No. 1.	At the Circus	Leslie's Hornpipe, Astley's Ride, Rickett's Hornpipe, Durang's Hornpipe.
Summer 2004, vol. 11, No. 2.	The Dancers	Nancy Dawson (1), Aldridge's Hornpipe (1), Richer's Hornpipe, Dick Sands' Hornpipe, Big John McNeil, Dinkie's, Glenn Towle.
Fall 2004, vol. 11, No. 3.	And, Off We Go…	Off to California, Fireman's Reel, Silver Cluster, Far from Home, Possum Up a Gum Stump.
Winter 2004/2005, vol. 11, No. 4.	Air Apparent	Hector the Hero, Queen of the Earth and Child of the Skies, Amhrán na Leabhar (Song of the Books).
Spring 2005, vol. 12, No. 1.	The Misses Johnston	Miss Johnston of Hilton, Miss Lucy Johnston's Compliments to Niel Gow, Bridegroom Grat (The).
Summer 2005, vol. 12, No. 2.	The King of the Patrons	Honorable Mr. Ramsay Maule's Reel, Honorable Mrs. Maule's Reel, Miss Maule's Strathspey.
Fall 2005, vol. 12, No. 3.	Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 1)	President Garfield's Hornpipe, President Grant's Hornpipe, General Longstreet's, Wade Hampton's Hornpipe.
Winter 2005/2006, vol. 12, No. 4.	Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 2)	Vendome Hornpipe, American Rifle Team.
Spring 2006, vol. 13, No. 1	Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 3)	Fagan and Fenton's, Fred Wilson's Clog
Summer 2006, Vol. 13, No. 2	Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (Part 4)	Minnie Foster's Clog, Lotta's Favorite
Spring 2007, Vol. 14, No. 1	A Well-Traveled Melody	Glenbeigh Hornpipe, Military Schottische, Bielbie's Hornpipe, Original Schottische Polka (The).
Summer 2007, Vol. 14, No. 2	Fiddle Tunes at the Races	Hexham Races, Hamilton Races, Knutsford Races, Newmarket Races
Fall 2007, Vol. 14, No. 3	Playing the Ponies	Curragh Races (1), New Market Jig, Bee's Wing (The), Wagoner (1), Grey Eagle (1)
Row heading A	Surviving Playford	Frost is All Over (1) (The), Hey to the Camp, Untitled Air, Mask (The)
Spring 2008, Vol. 15, No. 1	The Black Sloven	Colonel Pickering's March to Lexington, The Black Seven, Black Sloven (The)
Summer 2008, Vol. 15, No. 2 & Fall 2008, Vol. 15, No. 3	A Night at the Opera	Dead March in Saul (The), Mr. Cosgill’s Delight, March in Solomon, Doctor Haydn, Blowzabella, Michael Turner's Waltz, Annan Polka