Annotation:Rowan Tree (2) (The)

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X:1 % T:Rowan Tree [2] M:4/4 L:1/8 R:Air Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:G G>A | B4 B2A2 | B d3d2g2 | e3d e2g2 | e2 d4 G>A | B4 B2A2 | Bd3e3d | dB3A3G | G6d2 |d3gg3f | f2e2e2g2 | d3e ed cB | B4A2 G>A | B4B2A2 | Bd3e3d | dB3A3G | G6 ||



ROWAN TREE [2], THE. Scottish, Air (4/4 time) or Highland Schottische. A Major (Kerr): G Major (Sweet): E Flat Major (Neil). Standard tuning (fiddle). One part (Sweet): AABB (Kerr, Neil). Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne [1] (1766-1845), wrote celebrated lyrics (published about 1840) for her song entitle "Rowan Tree," first published in R. A. Smith's Scottish Minstrel (1822) under a pseudonym. The tune, of unknown origin, is thought to owe its present form to composer Finlay Dunn (1795-1853).

Oh! rowan tree, oh rowan tree,
Thou'lt aye be dear to me,
Entwined thou art wi' mony ties
O' hame and infancy.
Thy leaves were aye the first o' spring
Thy flow'rs the simmer's pride;
There was na sie a bonnie tree
In a' the countrie side
Oh! Rowan tree.


Additional notes

Source for notated version: -

Printed sources : - Kerr (Merry Melodies, vol. 3), c. 1880’s; No. 199, p. 23. Neil (The Scots Fiddle), 1991; No. 110, p. 147. Sweet (Fifer’s Delight), 1965/1981; p. 74. Moffat (Minstrelsy of Scotland), 1896; p. 152.

Recorded sources: -



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