The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

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COLM - COLV

[COMMENT3] 

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Notation Note: The tunes below are recorded in what is called “abc notation.” They can easily be converted to standard musical notation via highlighting with your cursor starting at “X:1” through to the end of the abc’s, then “cutting-and-pasting” the highlighted notation into one of the many abc conversion programs available, or at concertina.net’s incredibly handy “ABC Convert-A-Matic” at

http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html 

 

**Please note that the abc’s in the Fiddler’s Companion work fine in most abc conversion programs. For example, I use abc2win and abcNavigator 2 with no problems whatsoever with direct cut-and-pasting. However, due to an anomaly of the html, pasting the abc’s into the concertina.net converter results in double-spacing. For concertina.net’s conversion program to work you must remove the spaces between all the lines of abc notation after pasting, so that they are single-spaced, with no intervening blank lines. This being done, the F/C abc’s will convert to standard notation nicely. Or, get a copy of abcNavigator 2 – its well worth it.   [AK]

 

 

 

COLM AR AN nGEATA, AN. AKA and see "The Pigeon on the Gate."

                       

COLM DANAGHER’S. AKA and see “Jim Keeffe’s (Polka) [2],” “Michael Murphy’s Slide,” “Rachael Finch’s Fancy,” “Siobhán Hurl’s.” Irish, Slide.

                       

COLM O’DONNELL’S. Irish, Reel. E Minor. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Source for notated version: Colm O’Donnell (b. 1962, outside Aclare, County Sligo) [Flaherty]. Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1990; pg. 16(b) (appears as “Unknown”).

                       

COLONEL [1]. Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 4; No. 161, pg. 19.

X:1

T:Colonel [1]

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 4, No. 161  (c. 1880’s)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

cA A/A/A (fd)ec | dEEF GABd | cA A/A/A (fd)ec | defg aAAd :|

|| A2 (ag) fedc | B2 (ba) gfed | c2 (ag) fedc | defg aAAd |

Aaag fedc | Bbba gfed | c/c/c (Ac) dBBc | defg afed ||

 

COLONEL [2], THE. AKA and see “The Bucket.” Scottish, Country Dance Tune (9/8 time). The air along with dance instructions appears in the Bodleian Manuscript (kept at Bodleian Library, Oxford), entitled "A Collection of the Newest Country Dances Performed in Scotland written at Edinburgh by D.A. Young, W.M. 1740."

                       

COLONEL BAIRD [1]. Scottish, Jig. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by Mrs. Oswald. Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 326.

 

COLONEL BAIRD [2]. Scottish, Strathspey. E Minor. Standard tuning. AB. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 247.

X:1

T:Colonel Baird

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

B:Stewart-Robertson – The Athole Collection  (1884)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E Minor

e>EE>F G>A B<G|F>d A<B G>A F<D|e>EE>F G>A B<f|g>e f<^d B<e e2|

e>EE>F G>AB>G|F<d A>d G>A F<D|E<GF<A G>B A<c|

B>G B/A/G/F/ G<E E>B||e>f g<e B<bg<e|f>e d<g f/g/a/f/ d>f|

e>f g<e B<bA<a|g>ef>^d B<ee<B|e>f g<e B<bg<e|f>e d<g f/g/a/f/ df|

g<ef<^d e>B A<F|G>A B/A/G/F/ G>EE>B||

                                      

COLONEL BYNG'S FAVORITE. Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by Nathaniel Gow (1763-1831). Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 24.

                                      

COLONEL CALL'S. Scottish, Strathspey. A Major. Standard tuning. AB. Composed by Alexander Walker in honor of Colonel Call of the 3rd Bombay Regiment of Light Infantry, Her Majesty's Indian Army. A note in Walker (1866) says "this reel inserted by request as it was the subject of some discussion in the Banffshire Journel in 1864 and was never before published." Walker (A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Marches, &c.), 1866; No. 27, pg. 10.

                                      

COLONEL CAMPBELL OF MONZIE’S FAVORITE.  Scottish, Strathspey. C Aeolian. Standard tuning. AB. Glen (1981) finds the tune first in print in Joshua Campbell's 1778 collection (pg. 68). The title may refer to Colonel Robert Campbell of Finab and Monzie, M.P. for Argyllshire who purchased the estate of Inverawe House in 1765. He died in 1790 and was succeeded by his son, Lieutenant-General Alexander Campbell. Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 25. Gow (Third Collection of Niel Gow’s Reels), 1792; pgs. 8-9 (3rd ed.).

X:1

T:Colonel Campbell of Monzie’s Favorite

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

B:Gow – 3rd Collection of Niel Gow’s Reels, 3rd ed., pg. 8  (orig. 1792)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C Minor

G|cccG A3F|GGGE (F/E/)D/C/ B,D|”tr”(C/B,/)C/D/ “tr”(E/D/)E/F/ “tr”G/F/G/=A/ BG|G<DB>D {D}C3G|

cccG A3F|GGGE (F/E/D/C/) B,D|”tr”(E/D/E/).F/ “tr”(G/F/G/).=A B>dB>e|dBfd {=B}c2 c/d/e/f/||

g<c”tr”g>f gccd|f>gfd B>cd>f|gc”tr”g>f gcce|dBfd {d}c2 c/d/e/f/|

gc”tr”g>f gccd|(f/g/=a/)b/ (f/e/d/)c/ “tr”B>cdf|g>bf>g dfGc|BG(G/F/)E/D/ {D}C2C||

                                      

COLONEL CATHCART. Scottish. John Glen (1891) finds the tune first in print in John Riddell's 1782 collection (pg. 59).

                                      

COL(L)ONEL CRAFURD'S REEL. AKA and see "The Earl of Dalkeith('s Reel)." Scottish, Strathspey. F Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Glen (1891) finds the tune earliest in print in Robert Bremner’s 1757 collection (under the above title), although it later appeared in Gow's Third Collection, 1792 (pg. 20), under the title of "The Earl of Dalkeith's Reel." Glen (Glen Collection of Scottish Dance Music), vol. 1, 1891; pg. 12.

X:1

T:Collonel Crafurd’s Reel (sic)

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Bremner – Scots Reels (c. 1757)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:F

A | F>CA,C F/F/F A>F | G/G/G B>A GDDE | F>CA,C F/F/F cf | dfcf “tr”A>GF:|

e | f>gag fefc | d/d/d b>a gdde | f>gag fefc | dfcf “tr”A>GFe | f>gag fefc |

d/d/d ba gdde | fca(g f)(cd)(A | B)GcB “tr”A>GF ||

                                      


COLONEL CROCKET. AKA and see "The Route," "Jenny on the Railroad." American, Reel. The melody appears under this title in George P. Knauff's Virginia Reels, volume III (Baltimore, 1839). Colonel David “Davy” Crockett was a famous frontiersman and statesman, who perished at the Alamo in March, 1836. He was elected to the Tennessee state legislature in 1821 and subsequently represented the state in three terms in the United States Congress. When he was defeated in the election of 1835 he decamped from the state to seek a fresh start in Texas. The tune appeared in print some three years after his death—already a legend. Crockett apparently was also a skilled fiddler and buck dancer—a fiddle said to have been possessed by him, dated 1819, is in the possession of Jacinto Museum of History. He took in a minstrel show while in Philadelphia, and wrote: “The fiddling was pretty good. I do not think, however, from all I saw that the people enjoyed themselves better than we do at a country frolic, where we dance til daylight, and pay off the score by giving one in our turn.” Jim Taylor (et al) – “The Civil War Collection, vol. 2.”

X:1

T:Colonel Crockett

M:C

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Bruce Greene

N:From a transcription by John Lamancusa, by permission; see http://www.mne.psu.edu/lamancusa/tunes.htm

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Dorian

A2 AB cABA | cABA e2 EF | G2 GA BGAG | BGAG EAAB |

A2 AB cABA | cABA e2 EF | G2 GA BGAG | BGAG EAAB :|

|: A2A2 ABcd | efge dBGB | d2 ef gefd | cBAG EAAB |

A2A2 ABcd | efge dBGB | d2 ef gefd | cBAG EAAB :|

                                      

COLONEL DAVID STEWART OF GARTH'S REEL. AKA and see "This is no my ain House." Scottish, Reel. The tune appears twice in Gow's publications; in the Sixth Collection (1822), and, under the original title, in the First Collection (1784). John Glen (1895) sees it as simply a transformation of the older Scots tune "This is no my ain House," and it has also been called a set of “De’il Stick the/da Minister.”

                                      

COLONEL FARQUHARSON OF INVERCAULD. Scottish, Strathspey. D Minor. Standard. AAB. Composed by Alexander Walker. Walker (A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Marches, &c.), 1866; No. 98, pg. 34.

                       

COLONEL FORBES' QUICKSTEP. Similarities in the 'A' part and less so in the 'B' part to Bayard's "General Taylor's March." Riley (Flute Melodies), 1814, vol. 1; No. 72.

                       

COLONEL FRASER (An Ardtaoiseac Fraser). AKA – “Colonel Frazer.” AKA and see “The Donaghmore,” “Malloy’s Favorite,” “Molloy’s Favourite [2],” "The Green Fields of Ireland." Irish, Reel. G Major ('B' and 'D' parts) and G Mixolydian ('A' and 'C' parts) [O'Neill/Krassen & 1915]: G Major (‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘D’ parts) & G Major/Mixolydian (‘C’ part) [Miller]: G Major (Mitchell, O'Neill/1850 & 1001). Standard tuning. AABCD (Miller): ABCDE (Mitchell): ABCC'DE (O'Neill/Krassen): AA'BCD (O'Neill/1915, 1001 & 1850): AABBCCDDEE (Taylor). The tune is a favorite of uilleann pipers, and is known as one of the ‘big’ piping tunes. Versions vary from all-major tonality to one or more parts in the Mixolydian mode. It was first recorded on a wax cylinder by Irish-American piper Patsy Touhey (1865-1923), whom Francis O’Neill said was a “genial, obliging and unaffected wizard of the Irish pipes.” Seán Keane identifies it a reel from the north Midlands and Sligo areas. The title appears in a list of tunes in the repertoire of Philip Goodman, the last professional and traditional piper in Farney, Louth, made at the Feis Ceoil in Belfast in 1898 (Breathnach, 1997). A two-part version “Colonel Fraser” is also to be found in the c. 1880’s County Leitrim collection of fiddler and piper Stephen Grier of Farnaght. Petrie published a four-part setting under the title “Green Fields of Ireland,” and Breathnach (1985) finds “Colonel Fraser” related to “Malloy’s Favourite.” See also the related “Duke of Leinster’s Wife.”

***

Patsy and Mae Tuohey around 1900.

***

Flute player Seamus Tansey relates that Colonel Fraser was an English landlord in Leinster, a man of good temperament who was kind to his tenantry and to travelling pipers. He bought one piper a set of new pipes and had this tune composed for him in gratitude. Tansey said the piper was inspired by the sight of the Colonel galloping on his horse to the hunt, “It's like the ‘Fox Chase’, but different." In 1959 Kerry fiddler Denis Murphy (1910-1974) recorded it in Dublin in a medley with “The Steampacket” and “The Kerry Reel [1].” Sources for notated versions: piper Willie Clancy (1918-1973, Miltown Malbay, west Clare) [Mitchell]; set dance music recorded at Na Píobairí Uilleann, late 1980’s [Taylor]; “Based on the playing of (Kerry fiddler) Paddy Cronin” [Miller]. Lyth (Bowing Styles in Irish Fiddle Playing), vol. 1, 1981; 78. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 137, pg. 90. Mitchell (The Dance Music of Willie Clancy), 1993; No. 87, pgs. 78-79. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 104. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1246, pg. 234. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 520, pg. 98. O’Neill (O’Neill’s Irish Music), 1915; No. 243, pg. 128. Taylor (Music for the Sets: Blue Book), 1995; pg. 28. Vallely (Play Tin Whistle with the Armagh Pipers Club), vol. 3; 21. Claddagh Records CC17, Seán Keane ‑ "Gusty's Frolics" (1975). Drumlin Records, Brian McNamara – “A Piper’s Dream.” Gael-Linn CEF 045, “Paddy Keenan” (1975). Green Linnet GLCD 1074, Jerry O’Sullivan – “The Invasion” (1987). Rounder CD 1087, Denis Murphy – “From Galway to Dublin” (1992). Shaskeen Records OS‑360, Joe Burke, Andy McGann, Felix Dolan ‑ "A Tribute to Michael Coleman" (c. 1965). Conal O’Grada – “The Top of Coom.” Tara CD3034, Liam O’Flynn – “The Given Note” (learned from Leo Rowsome). Viva W103, Sean McGuire – “Irish Jigs and Reels” (c. 1960’s, a reissue of “Sean Maguire Plays,” the first recording of McGuire that Josephine Keegan accompanied on piano).

X:1

T:Colonel Fraser

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:O’Neill – 1001 Gems (1907), No. 520

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

R:Reel

K:G

dc|:BGAF D>G (A}(3GFG|AFcF dFcF|BGAF DGGg|1 fdcA d2 cA:|2 (3fed cA BG G2||

dggf g2 bg|fdcB ABcA|Gg{a}gf gbag|fdcA BG G2|gfge d2 dc|(3Bcd BG ABcA|

GBAc (3Bcd eg|fdcA BG G2||B>d (3ddd BGdG|AFcF (3ABc AF|B>c (3ddd BGdG|

cAFG AG G2|B>d (3ddd BGdG|AFcF (3ABc AF|(3GAB (3ABc (3Bcd eg|fdcA BG G2||

(3BcB GB (3BdB GB|(3ABA FA (3AcA FA|(3BcB GB (3BdB  GB|{d}cAFG AG G2|

(3BcB GB GBGB|(3ABA FA FAFA|GBAc (3Bcd eg|fdcA D2 cA||

                                               

COLONEL FRASER OF KNOCKY. Scottish, Strathspey. G Major. Standard. AAB. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 171.

X:1

T:Colonel Fraser of Knocky

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

B:Stewart-Robertson – The Athole Collection  (1884)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

c|d2 B>d G>Gd>B|d>e B<d e<AA>e|d2 B>d G>Gd>B|c>ed>A B<GG:|

c|B>GB>d c>ed>B|c>eB>d e>AA>c|B>GB>d c>ed>B|c>eB>g B>GG>c|

B>GB>d c>ed>B|c>eB>d e>AA>c|B>G (3Bcd (3def g>B|c>ed>A B<GG||

                       

COLONEL G.S. (SCOTTY) MORRISON. AKA – “Col. G.S. (Scotty) Morrison.” Canadian, Pipe March (6/8 time). A Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AA’BB’CCDD’. Composed by Pipe Major Don Carrigan for a former Colonel of the Black Watch, Royal Highlanders of Canada. Shears (Gathering of the Clans Collection, vol. 1), 1986; pg. 36.

 

COLONEL GARDEN’S BIRTHDAY.  Scottish, Strathspey. G Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by Kirkmichael, Perthshire, fiddler and composer Robert Petrie. He included it in his Second Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances (1796, pg. 15), one of several tunes named in honor of the Garden family. The whole volume is dedicated to Petrie’s patron and employer, Mrs. Garden of Troup.

X:1

T:Col. Garden's Birth day

C:R. Petrie

S:Petrie's Second Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances &c.

Z:Steve Wyrick <sjwyrick'at'astound'dot'net>, 6/11/04

N:Petrie's Second Collection, page 15

L:1/8

M:C

R:Strathspey

K:G

B|G>AB<G c>AB<G|c<AB<G E<AF<D|G>AB<G c<AB<G|d>Bc<A G2G:|

B|d>eg<d e<gd<B|c<aB<g A>GF<D|d>eg<d e<gd<B|c<Ad>B G2GB|

d<eg<d e<gd<B|c<aB<g A>GF<D|d<gb<g d<gd<B|c<Ad>B G2G|]

                       

COLONEL GLENN. Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AB. Named for astronaut and senator John Glenn of Ohio (?). Composed by uilleann piper Andy Conroy, of New York, originally from Lough Glynn and Dublin. Source for notated version: Andy Conroy [Breathnach]. Breathnach (Ceol II, 1), 1965; No. 4. Breathnach (The Man and His Music), 1997; No. 4, pg. 8.

X:1

T:Colonel Glenn

C:Andy Conroy

L:1/8

M:C

K:G

ge|dB B2 AG G2|Bd d2 edge|dB B2 AG G2|edgB A2 Bc|dedB AG G2|

Bd d2 edge|dB B2 gedB|AGAB G2||ga|bg g2 ag g2|eB B2 AG G2|

DB B2 AG G2|edgB A2 ga|bg g2 ag g2|eB B2 AG G2|dB B2 gedB| AGAB G2||

                       

COLONEL H.F. CAMPBELL. Scottish, Strathspey. G Major. Standard tuning. AAB. The melody appears in Misses White's 1797 collection. Glen (The Glen Collection of Scottish Dance Music), vol. 2, 1895; pg. 16.

X:1

T:Colonel H.F. Campbell

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

S:Glen Collection, Vol. 2  (1895)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

G2d2 d>Bdg | egdg AFDF | G2d2 d>Bdg | egfa g2g :| g>ab>a gddg | egdg AFDF |

g>ab>a gddg | egfa g2g2 | f>ab>a gddg | egdg AFDF | G2d2 d>Bdg | egfa g2g2 ||


                       

COLONEL HAMILTON OF PENCAITLAND'S STRATHSPEY. Scottish, Strathspey ("slow"). C Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by Nathaniel Gow, son of the famous fiddler Niel, and adjudged by many the better and more accomplished musician due to a superior education (he played the trumpet and cello in addition to the violin). Nathaniel was a most successful orchestra leader and music publisher but was not as shrewd as his father in business matters, for he bankrupted ultimately.  Nevertheless, he was patronized by the Scottish nobility and the Gentlemen of the Caledonian Hunt, and even received pensions from various sources, including king George IV.

***

Colonel John Hamilton, painted by Henry Raeburn

***

Colonel John Hamilton of Pencaitland (1751-1804), to whom Nathaniel dedicated the tune, was laird of Pencaitland  House, East Lothian, and a colonel of the East Lothian Fencibles, a regiment who exercised their horses above Wintonhill Farm. Winton House was owned by Hamilton and was restored by him as a second residence, although not finished before his death. He was described by William Tait (1848) in Tait’s Edinburgh Magazine as “a country gentleman, much beloved by all who knew him, and whose hospitalities were so great as to render this house remarkable in the county.” John married Janet Dundas, a daughter of the ruling political family of the time, of the nearby estate of Arniston. Both are remembered with plaques in Pencaitland Kirk, a manifestation of the degree of affection held for them within the locality. He is also known for being the owner of an ox of enormous proportions, sold to a Shropshire butcher at the end of the 18th century. The animal was reputed to have been some 16 feet long, and stood more that 5 feet, 8 inches tall. Gow (Second Collection of Niel Gow’s Reels), 1788; pg. 13 (3rd edition). Neil (The Scots Fiddle), 1991; No. 101, pg. 137. Scottish Records 33 SR 135, Ron Gonnella – “Scottish Violin Music from the Gow Collections” (1973).

X:1

T:Colonel Hamilton of Pencaitland’s Strathspey

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

C:Nathaniel Gow

B:Gow – 2nd Collection of Niel Gow’s Reels, pg.13, 3rd ed.  (orig. 1788)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C

“tr”E/>D/|Cc (d/c/).B/.A/ (A/G/).F/.E/ {E}c2|Cc “tr”cB/A/ Bdd>e|(f>e)dc {c}B2 AG|(A/B/c/B/) (d/c/)B/A/ Gcc:||

e/d/|c>g (e/f/g/a/) gc (a/g/f/e/)|”tr”fa/g/ (f/e/).d/.c/ “tr”Bd de/d/|”tr”c>d”tr”e>f gefa|ge (f/e/).d/.c/ Gc ce/d/|

cg (e/f/g/a/) gc (a/g/f/e/)|”tr”fa/g/ (f/e/)d/c/ Bd dg/f/|{f}”tr”e>d{d}”tr”c>A G.E.F.G|(A/B/).c/.B/ (d/c/).B/.A/ G[Ec][Ec]||

                                               

COLONEL HAMILTON'S DELIGHT. AKA and see "Hamilton House [1]." Scottish, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC'. Composed by Joseph Reinagle (1762‑1836) around 1783 or earlier. Reinagle, born in Portsmouth, was the son a an Austrian father and Scottish mother and spent his childhood and young adulthood in Edinburgh, becoming leader of the orchestra in the Theatre Royal. Later he moved to Dublin, London, and finally settled in Oxford where he taught the cello. The tune appears in Niel Gow's Strathspey Reels, the Sharpe Manuscript, and Davie's Caledonian Repository. Johnson (Scottish Fiddle Music in the 18th Century), 1984; No. 87, pg. 230. Neil (The Scots Fiddle), 1991; No. 3, pg. 6 (appears as "Hamilton House").

 

COLONEL HOPKINS (An Ardtaoiseac Opcins). Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AAB (O'Neill/Krassen): AA'B (O'Neill/1850). O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 107. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1260, pg. 237.

X:1

T:Colonel Hopkins

M:4/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 1260

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

ge|dBGB d2 ef|g2 af gfed|bgaf gfed|1 BedB A2:|2 egfa g2||GA|B2 dB A2 BA|

GABG AGFD|B2 dB A2 BA|GABG A2 ge|dBGB d2 ef|g2 af gfed|bgaf gfed|egfa g2||

                       

COLONEL IRWIN. AKA and see “Planxty Irwin.”

                       

COLONEL JOHN IRWIN. AKA and see "Planxty Irwin."

                       

COLONEL LENNOX’S LOVE.  AKA and see “Lennox Love to Blantyre.” Scottish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Kennedy (Traditional Dance Music of Britain and Ireland: Reels and Rants), 1997; No. 25, pg. 8. 

 

COLONEL MACBEAN. AKA and see "Colonel McBain's."

                       

COLONEL MACDONELL’S STRATHSPEY. Scottish, Strathspey. E Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. McGlashan (A Collection of Reels), c. 1786; pg. 6.

X:1

T:Colonel MacDonell’s Strathspey

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

S:McGlashan – Reels  (c. 1786)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E Dorian

e| G<E E2 D>G G<B| A/A/A e<A c>A e<A| G<E E2 D>G G<B| c>AB>G A/A/A e:|

|:f| g<g a/g/f/e/ d/c/B/A/ G<B| c/d/e A>Bc>d e>f| g<g a/g/f/e/ d/c/B/A/ G<B| c>AB>G A/A/A e:|

                       

COLONEL MANUS O'DONNELL. Irish, Planxty (6/8 time). A Dorian. Standard tuning. One part. Composed by blind Irish harpter Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). Complete Collection of Carolan's Irish Tunes, 1984; No. 126, pg. 90‑91.

                       

COLONEL McBAIN'S (An Ardtaoiseac Mic Baeitine). AKA – “Colonel McBean.” AKA and see "Boston Rattlers'," "Brian Boru’s March [1]," "Dan Sullivan's Reel," "The Devonshire Reel [1]," "The Duke of Clarence Reel," "General McBean," "Hobb's Favorite," “Johnny’s Wedding,” "Miss Abercrombie's Reel," “Mother’s Delight,” "Seán Frank," “Sporting Paddy [3],” "Sporting Molly." Scottish (originally), Irish; Reel. G Minor (most versions): E Minor (O'Neill). Standard tuning. AB (Howe, O'Neill, Surenne): AAB (Gow, Honeyman, Hunter, McGlashan): AABB (Cole). Glen (1891) finds the earliest publication of the tune in Robert Bremner's 1768 2nd collection (pg. 101). O’Neill (1922) remarks: “’Col. McBain's Reel’ first appeared in print in Bremner's 2nd Collection of Scots Reels, or Country Dances, London 1768, and reprinted in McGoun's Repository of Scots and Irish Strathspeys, Reels, etc., Glasgow 1803. Its popularity was not confined to Scotland for we find it named ‘Duke of Clarence Reel’ in Lavenu's New Country Dances for the Year 1798, published at London. A setting of this noted reel as played by the experts of the Irish Music Club of Chicago may be found on page 116 of O'Neill's Dance Music of Ireland. In composition and fluency of rhythm the variant above presented compares very favorably with the original especially when given expression on the fiddle in the inimitable style of the genial Paddy Stack from whom the manuscript was obtained.” The tune was first recorded by Galway melodeon player Peter Conlon in 1921, under the title "McBan's Reel" (thought the different spelling may be due to an error by the record company). Irish versions are in E Minor, Scottish in G Minor. Paul Cranford (1997) remarks that he has heard a strathspey setting (in G) of “Colonel McBain’s” played by Cape Breton fiddler Johnny Wilmot who learned it from his uncle Joe Confiant. “Johnny’s Wedding” and “Seán Frank” are related tunes. Sources for notated versions: Winston Fitzgerald (1914-1987, Cape Breton) [Cranford]; the Rice-Walsh manuscript, a collection of music from the repertoire of Jeremiah Breen, a blind fiddler from North Kerry, notated by his student [O’Neill]. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 31. Cranford (Winston Fitzgerald), 1997; No. 162, pg. 64. Gow (Complete Repository), Part 1, 1799; pg. 8. Honeyman (Strathspey, Reel and Hornpipe Tutor), 1898; pg. 29. Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 131. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 265. McGlashan (A Collection of Reels), c. 1786; pg. 18 (appears as “Colonel Macbean’s Reel”). O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1403, pg. 261. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 645, pg. 116. O’Neill (Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody), 1922; No. 262. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 57. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 185 (appears as "Colonel MacBean"). Surenne (Dance Music of Scotland), 1852; pg. 6 (appears as “Colonel M’Bain”). Gael-Linn Records CEF 165, Máire O’Keeffe - “An Coisir.” MKM 7590, Mike McHale – “The Schoolmaster’s House” (2000. Learned from his father and grandfather, County Roscommon).

X:1

T:Colonel MacBean

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

B:Stewart-Robertson – The Athole Collection  (1884)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G Minor

c|B/c/d Gd BGdG|A/B/c Fc AFcA|B/c/d Gd BGdG|^F/G/A DF G2G:|

A|~(B2 B)f B/B/B fd|cdcB ABcA|G(gg)a bag^f|g/a/b a^f ~g2 ga|

g/a/b fd ~Bdfd|cdcB ABcA|Bdg^f gdce|dBcA G2G||

X:2

T:Colonel McBain

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

B:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 645

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E Minor

EF|GBEF GEBE|FADE FDAD|GBEF GEBE|FADF E2 EF|

GBEF GEBE|FADE FDAD|G2 GF GBdB|AFDF E2||EF|

G2 GF GBdB|ABAG FAAF|Eee^d ef|gefd Beef|gfge dedB|

ABAG FGAF|Beed BcdB|AFDF E2||

X:3

T:Colonel McBain's Reel

M:4/4

L:1/8

S:Rice-Walsh manuscript

Z:Paul Kinder

R:Reel

K:E Dorian

EF|GEBE GABG|FDAD FGAF|GEBE GABc|dBAF E2 EF|

GEBE GABG|FDAD FGAF|GEBE GABc|dBAF E2||

ef|gefd edBc|dBAG FD D2|gfed edBA|Beed e2 ef|

gefd edBc|dBAG FD D2|EFGA B2 Bc|dBAF E2||

X:4

T:Col. Macbean's Reel

C:R. Petrie

S:Petrie's Second Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances &c.

Z:Steve Wyrick <sjwyrick'at'astound'dot'net>, 6/11/04

N:Petrie's Second Collection, page 14

L:1/8

M:C|

R:Reel

K:Gm

c|(B/c/d) (Gd) BGdG |(A/B/c) (Fc) AFcF|(B/c/d) (Gd) BGdG |^F/G/A DF G2 G, :|

A|B3f B/B/B (fd)|cdcB ABcA|G(gga) bag^f|gba^f g2 (ga)|

(g/a/b) (fd) Bdfd|cdcB ABcA|Bdg^f gdce |dBcA G2G |]

                       

COLONEL McBAIN’S FANCY. AKA – “Colonel MacBain’s Fancy.” AKA and see “Mrs. Gordon of Cairness.” Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. A Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AABBA’A’B’B’ (Dunlay & Greenberg): ABC (Shears). This melody apparently was originally a pipe tune, for Barry Shears finds it in David Glen’s bagpipe Tutor, Part 2 (1876-1901) in a two-part reel and a three-part strathspey setting (which is perhaps the original). The fiddle version adapts the reel setting plus the third part of the strathspey setting, according to Dunlay & Greenberg. Source for notated version: Donald Angus Beaton and Kinnon Beaton (Mabou, Cape Breton) [Dunlay & Greenberg]. Dunlay & Reich (Celtic Fiddle Music from Cape Breton), 1986 (appears as “Traditional Reel”). Dunlay & Greenberg (Traditional Celtic Violin Music of Cape Breton), 1996; ph. 48. Shears (Gathering of the Clans Collection, vol. 1), 1986; pg. 52 (pipe setting). DAB4-1985, Donald Angus Beaton - “A Musical Legacy” (1985). JAD-1, Jackie Dunn - “Dunn to a T” (1995. Appears as “Mrs. Gordan of Cairness”). RDRC 850, Raymond Ellis - “Dedicated to Mom and Dad” (1994. Appears as 2nd “Traditional Reel”). Rodeo RLP 107, Joe MacLean - “And His Old Time Scottish Fiddle”(c. 1967. Appears as 2nd reel after “Ca’ the Stirks”). Rounder 7011, Donald Angus and Kinnon Beaton - “The Beatons of Mabou” (1978. Appears as 1st of “Two Traditional Reels” after “Chiste Mhor”).

X:1

T:Colonel McBain’s Fancy

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Mix

a | A2 ec e2 ea | f2 af feea | A2 ec e2 ea | cdec BABc | A2 ec e2 ea | f2 af feef |

a2 af e2 ae | cdec BABc || a2 af e2 ae | f2 af feef | a2 af e2 ae | cdec BABc |

a2 af e2 ae | f2 af feef | agaf e2 ae | cdec BABc || A2 eA A2 fe | A2 af feea |

A2 eA A2 fe | cdec BABc | A2 eA A2 fe | A2 af feef | a2 af e2 ae | cdec BABc ||

                                      

COLONEL McDONALD OF LOCHGARIE’S. Scottish, Strathspey. A Major. Standard tuning. AAB. The melody appears in Malcolm MacDonald of Dunkeld’s 2nd Collection, dedicated to the Earl of Breadalbane. MacDonald (A Second Collection of Strathspey Reels), 1789; pgs. 5-6.

X:1

T:Colonel McDonald of Lochgarie’s

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

S:MacDonald – Second Collection of Strathspey Reels (1789)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

E | G/B/B B>c e>fgf | e>cBG F/F/F “tr”F2 {E/F/} | G/B/B B>c  e>fgf | e>cB>G E/E/E E :|

a | {g/a/}b>geg {g/a/}b>geg | ab/a/ ga/g/ “tr”f>efa | {g/a/}b>geg {g/a/}b>geg | a>fb>g e/e/e eg/a/ |

{g/a/}b>geg bgeg | ab/a/ ga/g/ “tr”f>efg | e>f {e/f/}g>f e>cB>e | “tr”c>B e>G E/E/E E ||

                                                  

COLONEL McKAY. Scottish, Reel. C Major. Standard tuning. AAB. John Glen (1891) finds the earliest printings of the tune in Robert Bremner's 1768 2nd collection (pg. 112) and Daniel Dow's c. 1775 collection (pg. 12). Petrie (2nd Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances), 1796; pg. 22.

X:1

T:Col. Mackay's Reel

C:R. Petrie

S:Petrie's Second Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances &c.

Z:Steve Wyrick <sjwyrick'at'astound'dot'net>, 6/11/04

N:Petrie's Second Collection, page 22

% No listing for this tune in Gore's Index

L:1/8

M:C

R:Reel

K:C

e|c(CCE) G3_B|AFEC DF_B,D|(C/D/E/F/ G)E G2 (cG)|A(agf) ecc:|

e|(c/d/e/f/ g)c acgc|ecgc f(dde)|(c/d/e/f/ g)c acgc|fdec G(cce)|

(c/d/e/f/ g)c acgc|fdec (B/A/B/c/ d)e|cGEC FAG_B|A(aTgf) ecc|]

                                      

COLONEL MERCER OF ALDIE’S.  Scottish, Strathspey. D Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AAB. The tune was printed by Malcolm MacDonald of Dunkeld in his 2nd Collection, dedicated to the Earl of Breadalbane. MacDonald (A Second Collection of Strathspey Reels), 1789; pg. 9.

X:1

T:Colonel Mercer of Aldie’s

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

S:MacDonald – 2nd Collection of Strathspey Reels (1789)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D Mix.

A | D/D/D (A>F) A>BAF | C/C/C C2 C>E c>E | D/D/D A>F A>BAG | F>D d>^c d>D D :|

f | d/d/d f>d e>dfd | c/c/c c>e gece | d/d/d f>d e>df>d | d>BA>G F>DD>f | d/d/d f>d e>dfd |

c/c/c (c>e) g>ecg | a>fge f>de^c | B<d”tr”AG F>D D ||

                          

COLONEL MIKE. American?, Reel. G Major ('A' part) & E Minor ('B' part). Standard tuning. AABBAA. Hardings All-Round Collection), 1905; No. 67, pg. 21.

X:1

T:Colonel Mike

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Harding’s All Round Collection, No. 67 (1905)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

Gz ^dz|z/e/c/e/ d/B/A/G/|dz Fz|z/G/e/B/ d/e/g/b/|gz ^dz|z/e/c/e/ d/B/A/G/|

dz Fz|z/D/C/A,/ G,z::E/B/G/E/ B/G/E/B/|c/A/E/c/ A/E/c/z/|F/B/A/F/ B/A/F/c/|B/G/E/F/ (G/F/E/)z/:|

                                      

COLONEL MONTGOMERY. Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB (Gow): AABB' (Athole). Composed perhaps for Hugh Montgomerie (1739-1819) of Coilsfield, the 12th Earl of Eglinton. Montgomerie (or Montgomery) was a successful soldier who served in America, and later a Member of Parliament for Ayrshire and an Inspector of Roads. He became the 12th Earl of Eglinton in 1796 at age 57, succeeding his cousin, and continued improvements to the family estates. He already had built Coilsfield House, but commissioned architect John Paterson to build Eglinton Castle. However, the two had a falling out and Paterson was forced to sue the earl for recovery of fees—the castle is today a stately ruin. Unfortunately, Eglinton’s improvements were costly and perhaps overly ambitious (including the Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone Canal) and added significantly to the family debt. Montgomerie was ‘sodger Hugh’ of Robert Burns’ “The Poets Earnest Cry and Prayer.” He sent ten guineas to Burns on his arrival in Edinburgh as a subscription for two copies of the Edinburgh Edition of Burns’ Poems. Replying on 11th January 1787, Burns said:  “Your Munificence, my Lord, certainly deserved my very grateful acknowledgements, but your Patronage is a bounty peculiarly suited to my feelings.”

***

Hugh Montgomery, 12th Earl of Eglinton (1739-1813), in the uniform of the Black Watch.

***

Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 26. Gow (The First Collection of Niel Gow’s Reels), 1784 (revised 1801); pg. 14. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection