Annotation:Miramichi Fire (2) (The)
X: 1 T:Willie D's Favourite T:Mirimichi Fire [2], The R:pipe reel C:traditional S:http://www.cranfordpub.com D:Some Tasty Tunes, 1999 Z:psc, (re-formatted,updated 9/19/04) N:http://www.cranfordpub.com/stubbert H: L:1/8 Q:333 M:C| K:Amix Ad|ce e/e/e Aced|cAeA c2 BA|ce e/e/e Acec|BGdc B2AB| ce e/e/e Aced|cAeA c2 BA|cdec dBGB|A/A/A cB A2:| |:f^g|abaf e2 ed|cAeA cdef|gage dddc|BGdG Bcdg| abaf e2 ed|cAeA cdef|gage dBGB|A2 cB A2:|
MIRAMICHI FIRE [2], THE. AKA - "Willie D's Favourite." Canadian, Reel. Canada; Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, New Brunswick. A Mixolydian/Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Perlman (1996) notes this tune is among the "good old tunes" on Prince Edward Island, however, it is thought to have been Acadian in origin and quite old. The title commemorates the great Miramichi, New Brunswick, fire [1] of 1825, visible from western Prince Edward Island. It is still considered the largest forest fire in eastern North America (consuming forests in Maine as well), burning up to a fifth of New Brunswick's forests. It killed more than 160 people and devastated many communities, leaving thousands homeless. It is thought the fire was responsible for the demise of the mast-making industry on the Miramichi River.
Paul Stewart Cranford remarks that Cape Breton fiddlers sometimes call the tune "Willie D's Favourite," a title sourced to fiddler Cameron Chisholm (Margree), who learned it from the lilting of his father, Willie D. Chisholm, brother of renowned fiddler Angus Chisholm. Willie D., notes Cranford, worked in New Brunswick and Quebec in younger days, where he may have acquired the tune.
