KANTARA TO EL 'ARISH. Scottish, March (2/4 time). A Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). 'Kantara' was the Allies name for the northeastern Egyptian town of Al Qantarah El Sharqiyya [1], which was, during World War I, an important supply depot and headquarters for the Middle Eastern theater. El Arish was the scene of an action in the war, and the tune itself is named for a march between the two. The piece was composed by Pipe Major Willie Ferguson, Pipe Major of the City of Glasgow Pipe Band, which he led in winning several major competitions in the 1920's, including the World Championships in 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1925. He emigrated to Canada in 1929, where he died some twenty years later. Ferguson saw action at Gallipoli with the 7th Highland Light Infantry, where he was Pipe Major.
Additional notes
Printed sources : - Cranford (The Cape Breton Highland Collection), 2015; p. 20. William Fergusson (Ferguson's Bagpipe Melodies), 1939; no. 22, p. 15.
Recorded sources : - Atlantica Music 02 77657 50222 26, Kyle & Lucy MacNeil – "Atlantic Fiddles" (1994).
Bara Music Co., The Barra MacNeils – "Rock in the Stream" (1989). Flying Fish FF-299, The Battlefield Band – "There's a Buzz" (1982). Foot Stompin' Records CDFSR 1704, Liz Doherty and Fiddlesticks – "Racket in the Rectory". Whistler's Music CDWM 9859, Sarah Bauhan – "Chasing The New Moon" (1991).
See also listing at : Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recordings Index [2]
