SHREWSBURY QUARRY. AKA and see "Belle Catharine (1) (La)." English, Country Dance Tune (2/4 time). England, Shropshire. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The Quarry is the main recreational park in Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire, England. The park was created in 1719 and encompasses 29 acres, bounded by the River Severn. In 1769 Henry Jones published an epic poem called "Shrewsbury Quarry, &c." that runs for several pages. It begins:
Shrewsbury Quarry, showing the original quarry in the public park. Early 18th century.
Thy blooming scenes deserve e a softer Name; To the proud Louvre, or, the Mall, in fame, Thou equal shin'st, with equal beauty bless'd, By happy art, by bounteous nature dress'd With matchless charms, reciprocal, that meet In sweet variety, in contrast sweet; Harmonious in the reconciling strife, Like Musick's discords, or like moral life, That all in seeming hostile order stand, Yet vindicate the mighty Makers hand...
