Annotation:Sun Assembly
X: 1 T:Sun Assembly. JJo6.82 B:J.Johnson Choice Collection Vol 6, 1751 Z:vmp.Ruairidh Greig 2015 www.village-music-project.org.uk M:2/4 L:1/8 Q:1/4=100 K:A a2{f}e2|{d}c2BA|f2A2|G2FE|(Ac)(ec)|(B^d)(fa)|(ge)(f^d)|e2E2| a2{f}e2|{d}c2BA|f2A2|G2FE|(FA)(dF)|(EG)(Bd)|(cB)(AG)|A2A,2|| (ce)(ag)|f2(ed)|(ce)(ag)|f2(ed)|(ce)(ag)|T(gf)T(fe)|T(ed)T(dc)|Tc2B2| (dc)(BA)|(G/A/B)E2|(dc)(BA)|(f/g/a)g2|fAaf|ecBA|E2G2|A4|]
SUN ASSEMBLY. English; Air, March or Country Dance Tune (2/4 time). A Major (Barnes, Johnson, Thompson): G Major (Offord). Standard tuning (fiddler). AB (Johnson): AAB (Offord): AABB (Barber). The tune was published in London publishers Charles and Samuel Thompson’s Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances (vol. 1, 1757), and John Johnson’s Choice Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances (vol. 6, 1751). Nick Barber notes the tune "bears a striking resemblance to Handel's 'Harmonious Blacksmith' theme for harpsichord." John Offord (1985) also identifies "Sun Assembly" as an extract from wikipedia:George_Fredric_Handel's Harmonious Blacksmith variations for the harpsichord. He points out, "'Harmonious Blacksmith' was a derisive title because the music was played by ordinary people." Offord also suggests the 'Sun Assembly' was a music/dance club that met at the Sun, an inn in Vicarage Road at Sunbury-on-Thames near London.
