X:1
T:He that has a bonny Lassie &c.
M:C
L:1/8
R:Reel
B:Robert Petrie – Third Collection of Strathspey Reels (p. 16)
N:Dedicated to Francis Garden Esq. Junior of Troup by
N:Robert Petrie at Kirkmichael.
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:Gmin
A|BGdB Bcdf|AFcF {B}A2 FA|BGdG Bcdg|(fdTcA) G2 G:|
d|gagd gagd|fgfd {B}A2 FA|gagd gagd|Bdgd B2 Gd|
gagd gagd|fgfc A2 FA|BGdG Bcdg|fdTcA G2G||
GIN I HAD A BONNIE LASS/LASSIE, LITTLE SLEEP WAD SAIR ME. AKA and see "Go About Your Business," "He that has a Bonny Lassie," "He that's got a bonny wife but little sleep will serve him," "North Loch (The)." Scottish, Canadian; Reel. Canada; Nova Scotia, Cape Breton. G Mixolydian (Dunlay & Greenberg, Dunlay & Reich): G Dorian (Athole, Kerr). Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB (Athole, Kerr): AABB (Dunlay & Reich). Dorian and mixolydian versions are extent. The tune is usually played in G Mixolydian in Cape Breton, though occasionally the 'b' notes are flatted. Similarly, Scottish settings are generally in Dorian, though there are exceptions (such as the setting in the Gesto Collection)—Malcolm MacDonald and the Gows printed it in the late 18th century in mixolydian as "If I Had a Bonny Lass" (Little Sleep Wou'd Sair Me)". The tune is found by John Glen first in print in Bremner's Collection (1751–1761) under the title "North Loch (The)." Robert Petrie included it in his turn-of-the-19th century Third Collection (c. 1802, p. 16) as "He that has a Bonny Lassie"). Violinist and Balmoral dancing master Joseph Lowe (1797–1847) from Marykirk, included it in his 1844 collection.
A version of the reel, not identical, as "He that's got a bonny wife but little sleep will serve him" was entered into the huge 19th century music manuscript collection of dairy farmer, miller, sometime printer and bookbinder, and fiddler James Barry (1819-1906) of Six Mile Brook, Pictou County, northern Nova Scotia. Barry indicated his source for the tune was 'Colin M(a)cKenzie', who was perhaps a local musical acquaintance.
Additional notes Source for notated version : - Duncan MacQuarrie (Cape Breton) [Dunlay & Greenberg, Dunlay & Reich].
Printed sources : - Corfield (Tunes from New Brunswick), 2024; p. 51. Dunlay & Greenberg (Traditional Celtic Violin Music of Cape Breton), 1996; p. 98. Dunlay & Reich (Traditional Celtic Fiddle Music of Cape Breton), 1986; p. 60. Kerr (Merry Melodies, vol. 2), c, 1880's; No. 211, p. 23. Joseph Lowe (Lowe's Collection of Reels, Strathspeys and Jigs, book 6), 1844–1845; p. 23. MacDonald (The Gesto Collection of Highland Music). Petrie (Third Collection of Strathspey Reels), c. 1802; p. 16 (as "He that has a Bonny Lassie"). Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; p. 190.
Recorded sources : - CLM 1000, Carl MacKenzie –"Tullochgorum" (1979).
Decca 14023 (78 RPM), The Inverness Serenaders (appears as "Go About Your Business").
Marquis ERAD 169, David Greenberg – "Celtic Memories" (1996).
Rounder 7004, Joe Cormier – "The Dances Down Home" (1976. Appears as "Go About Your Business").
See also listing at : Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recordings Index [1]
