Annotation:Sitting in the Stern of a Boat

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X:1 T:Mi’ m’ shuidh an deridh Bata T:Sitting in the Stern of a Boat M:C L:1/8 R:”A Highland Air” B:James Aird – Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs, vol. 5 B:(Glasgow, 1797, No. 129, p. 49) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:G DE|G>AGF E2 DG|B>c {Bc}d>B A2 GE|DEGA B2 g<d|B2A2G2:| g2|edef g3b|a>gab e2 dB|d(e/f/) g>ag>a (g/a/).g/.f/|e>^d e(f/g/) e2g2| e>dBd g2 B<b|g<ed>B A2 GE|DEGA B2 (.g/.e/.d/.c/)|B2A2G2||

SITTING IN THE STERN OF A BOAT (Mi M'shuidh An Deireadh Bata). Scottish, Slow Air (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Hunter): AAB (Aird, Fraser, Lerwick): AABB (Martin). This tune is the composition of the Reverend William MacLeod, who was the minister of Bracadale, in the Isle of Skye, "before the last incumbent, and afterwards removed to Argyllshire, being an adieu to his native country. The editor's father was extremely fond of this air, as characterising two friends in early life, very partial to him, and whom he highly esteemed, Major MacLeod of Balmeanach, and Colonel MacLeod of Talisker. The composer gives a most poetical description of his sailing from Skye, whilst every well known object, one by one, gradually recedes from his sight, till at last no trace of Skye is visible, except the 'Bhan Bheinn,' or white mountain, and, when it vanishes in the misty vapour, he concludes with a benediction on all he left behind him, worthy of a genuine poet" (Fraser).

Additional notes

Source for notated version: -

Printed sources : - Aird (Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs, vol. 5), 1797; No. 129, p. 49. Fraser (The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles), 1816; No. 161, p. 66. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 13. Johnson (A Further Collection of Dances, Marches, Minuetts and Duetts of the Latter 18th Century), 1998; p. 9. Lerwick (Kilted Fiddler), 1985; p. 69. Martin (Ceol na Fidhle, vol. 2), 1988; p. 29. Neil (The Scots Fiddle), 1991; No. 171, p. 222.

Recorded sources: -Culburnie COL 113D, Aladair Fraser & Tony McManus – “Return to Kintail” (1999).

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