The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

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MILL - MIS

 

 

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]

 

 

 

MILL, DA. Scottish, Reel. Scotland, Sheltand Islands. A Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AABB. Christine Martin (2002) says the tune is a work tune, imitating the sound of a mill, and should be played very freely. Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; pg. 98.

X:1
T:Mill, Da
D:Tom Anderson & Aly Bain, The Silver Bow
O:Shetland
N:"Work tune"
Z:Nigel Gatherer <gatherer@argonet.co.uk>
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:A mixolydian
ABcd e2 f2|d2 dd d2 fe|dcBA ABcA|B2 EE E2 ec|
dcBA ABcA|d2 dd d2 fe|dcBA (3Bcd cB|A2 A>B A4:|]
ecAc ecAc|fdBd fdBd|AFDF AFDF|BGEG BG E2|
ecAc ecef|d2 dd d2 fe|dcBA (3Bcd cB|A2 A>B A4:|]

                       

MILL, THE. AKA and see "Mill Oh."

           

MILL BRAE. Shetland. Composed by Ronnie Cooper (Shetlands). Front Hall FHR‑08, Alistair Anderson ‑ "Traditional Tunes" (1976).

           

MILL BURN [1], THE. Scottish, Reel. A Major. Standard tuning. AAB (Hunter): AABB' (Kerr). Composed by James Fraser. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 246. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 3; No. 82, pg. 11.

X:1

T:Mill Burn, The [1]

M:C

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 3, No. 82  (c. 1880’s)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

E|A2 (cA) GABc|dFBA GBEG|A2 (cA) Bcdf|ecdB A/A/A A:|

|:B|Aaga fedc|dFBA GBEG|1 Aaga fedc|dfec A/A/A A:|2 AcBd cedf|ecdB A/A/A A||

 

MILLBURN [2], THE. Canadian, Hornpipe. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by fiddler/composer Wilfred Gillis who titled it after the name of an area near Arisaig, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, where he was brought up. Paul Cranford (1997) remarks that in the 18th century a British man-of-war named The Malignant sank and the surrounding area became known as Malignant Cove. Later, some of the Scottish community members did not think it seemly that their beautiful area was associated with such a tragedy and they were successful in renaming it Millburn, though the original name, Malignant Cove, is still in use. Source for notated version: Winston Fitzgerald (1914-1987, Cape Breton) [Cranford]. Cranford (Winston Fitzgerald), 1997; No. 46, pg. 17.

           

MILL FIELD. See “Millfield.”

           

MILL HOLLOW REEL.  American, Reel. A Dorian. AABB’. Composed by East Alstead, New Hampshire, fiddler and composer Randy Miller, who named the tune in honor of the half-dozen old mills that once formed the industrial center of the town. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 214, pg. 132.

                       

MILL NA MÁIDÍ (The Crushing of Twigs). See “Muilleann na Maidí,” "The Crushing of Twigs."

                                   

MILL OF GUTCHER, THE. AKA and see "Milly Goodger."

                                   

MILL O' HIRN, CRATHES. AKA and see "The Auld Wheel."

                                   

MILL OF KYLEMORE, THE. Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard. AABB’. Composed by Ballyfarnon, County Roscommon, flute player Josie McDermott (d. 1992), who also was a lilter, singer and saxaphone player.

X:1

T:The Mill of Kylemore

R:Reel

C:Josie McDermott

Z:Transcribed by Andrew Pickering

M:4/4

L:1/8

K:G

E|DGGF GABG|AGFG AB (3cBA|G2 GF GABd|cAFA G2 GF|

DG G2 BGAG|FGAB (3cBA Bc|d2 eg fdcA|(3Bcd cA G3:|

B|dg g2 bg g2|abag fdcA|Bgfg egdB|GBAG FDBc|

|1 dg g2 bg g2|abag fdcA|d2 eg fdcA|(3Bcd cA G3:|

|2 dg g2 bg g2|abag fdcA|defa gfdc|(3Bcd cA G3|]

                                   

MILL OF LAGGAN. Scottish, Reel. F Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by William Marshall (1748-1833). A Scottish fiddler and composer, Marshall is most famous for his many fine strathspeys. Marshall worked for much of his life for the Duke of Gordon as the Steward of his Household, and it is fortunate that the Duke was an enthusiastic supporter and patron of Marshall’s music. Moyra Cowie, in her book The Life and Times of William Marshall (1999), says the mill, which dates to the 18th century, is on the Dullan water, although it is now almost a ruin. Interestingly, Cowie says that farmers in those days were assigned a mill to which they took their corn. Marshall, Fiddlecase Edition, 1978; 1822 Collection, pg. 52. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 207. Culburnie COL 102, Alasdair Fraser & Jody Stecher – “The Driven Bow” (1988).

X:1

T:Mill of Lagan, The

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

B:The Athole Collection

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:F

F|FAcf ~f2 e>f|gaba gGGA|FAcf ~f2 ef|afge fFF:|

B|A/B/c c>A B/c/d d>B|d/e/f f>d eccb|afge f2 dB|A/B/c GB AFFB|

A/B/c c>A B/c/d d>B|d/e/f f>d eccb|afca gece|fdcB A<FF||

 


MILL OF NEWE. Scottish, Strathspey. E Minor. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by Alexander Walker. Source for notated version: Winston Fitzgerald (1914-1987, Cape Breton) [Cranford]. Cranford (Winston Fitzgerald), 1997; No. 141, pg. 57. Walker (A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Marches, &c.), 1866; No. 138, pg. 47. Breton Books and Records BOC 1HO, Winston “Scotty” Fitzgerald - “Classic Cuts” (reissue of Celtic Records CX 40).

 


MILL OF ROLEEN, THE. Irish, Double Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: lilting of Miss Ellen Newport {d. 1887} (Rathangan, Co. Wexford, Ireland) [Darley & McCall]. Darley & McCall (The Darley & McCall Collection of Traditional Irish Music), 1914; No. 80, pg. 37.

 

MILL OF TYNETT. Scottish, Strathspey. E Major. Standard tuning. AB. Composed by Alexander Walker. Walker (A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Marches, &c.), 1866; No. 121, pg. 42.

 

MILL OH, THE. AKA – “The Mill,” “The Mill, Mill, O,” "The Mill, Oh, the Mill." AKA and see "The Cuba March," "The Soldier's Return," "The Blue‑Eyed Stanger [1]." Scottish, English. England, Northumberland. D Major. Standard tuning. AB: AAB (O’Farrell). "The Mill Oh" or "The Mill Mill O" was a popular tune common to collections printed in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and was the air Robert Burns in 1793 set "The Sodger's (Soldier's) Return" to. Burns' poem is a reworking of a folk theme, popular since Homer's Ulysses, of lovers parted by war ‑‑ when the man returns he is not recognized but finds his love has been true, reveals himself and is happily reunited. It begins:

***

When wild war's deadly blast was blawn,

And gentle peace returning,

Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless,

And mony a widow mourning;

I left the lines and tented field,

Where lang I'd been a lodger,

My humble knapsack a' my wealth,

A poor but honest sodger.

***

Bayard (1981) believes that "(Merrily Danced) The Quaker's Wife" grew out of this tune, or else both tunes stem from an ancient original, primarily because of the "unmistakable" similarity of the 'B' parts, and the "noticeable" resemblance of the 'A' parts. The title appears in Henry Robson's list of popular Northumbrian song and dance tunes ("The Northern Minstrel's Budget"), which he published c. 1800. Glen reported it was first printed by William Thompson in his 1725 Orpheus Caledonius (No. 20); it also appeared in Thompson's 1733 edition (vol. 1, pg. 40). Bremner (Thirty Scots Songs), 1770; pg. 30. Crosby (The Caledonian Musical Repository), 1811, pg. 48. Johnson (Scots Musical Museum), vol. 3, 1787‑1803, No. 242. S. Johnson (Kitchen Musician No. 10: Airs & Melodies of Scotland's Past), 1992 (revised 2001); pg. 13. McGibbon (Collection of Scots Tunes, book III), 1768, pg. 76. McGlashan (A Collection of Scots Reels), vol. 2, 1781, pg. 4. O’Farrell (Pocket Companion, vol. II), c. 1806; pg. 157 (set as a “duett”). Oswald (Caledonian Pocket Companion), c. 1780, Vol. 1, pg. 74. Jerry O’Sullivan – “O’Sullivan meets O’Farrell” (2005).

X:1

T:Mill Mill O

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

S:O’Farrell – Pocket Companion, vol. II (c. 1806)  duett

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

d>e | f2 A>B A3d | B>ABd {f}e2 d>e | {d/e/}f2 A2 gfed | B3cd2 :|

zA | (defg) a3a | bagf e3A | (defg) (a>bag) | {g}f2 fg a2 zA |

defg a3 g/a/ | (bagf) {f}e2 d>e | f2A2A2 {g}f/e/d | B3cd2 ||

X:2

T:Mill Mill O, The

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Slow”

S:McGibbon – Scots Tunes, book III, pg. 76  (1768)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

d>e | f2A2A3d | “tr”(B>AB)d e2 d>e | ({d/e/}f2) A2 (gf)”tr”(e>d) | “tr”B4d2 :: A2 | d>ef>g ({f/g/}a2)d2 |
(ba)”tr”(gf) ({f}e3)A | (d>e)(fg) (a>b)(ag) | “tr”f4 a3A | (de)(fg) a2 (ga) | {g/a/}(ba)”tr”(gf) e2 (de) |

({d/e/}f2)A2 (gf)”tr”(ed) | “tr”B4 ({c}d2 :: de | f2A2 AdFA | “tr”(BAB)d (e>f)(d>e) |

({d/e/}f2)A2 (gf)”tr”(ed) | “tr”B3d2 :: A2 | (d/4e/4d/4/c/4d/)e/ (f/4g/4f/4e/4f/)g/ adfa |

{g/a/}(ba)”tr”(gf) ({f}e3)A | (d/c/d/)e/ (f/e/f/)g/ a>b a/(g/f/g/) | f>g (f/d/)(f/g/) a3A |

d/(f/e/)(g/ f/)(a/g/)b/ afga | ({g/a/}b)a (3b/a/g/ (3a/g/f/ (e>f)(d>e) | ({d/e/}f2)A2 (gf)”tr”(e>d) | “tr”B4d2 :|

                       

MILL POND. Irish, Jig. G Major. Standard. AABB. Treoir. Topic TSCD 602, Lough Gill Quartet – “Irish Dance Music” (1995. A reissue of the 1941 original).

X: 1

T: Mill Pond

S: "Treoir"

M: 6/8

L: 1/8

R: jig

Z: Transcribed by Bill Black

K: G

E | DGG BGG | dGG BGG | DFA DFA | DFA cBA |

DGG BGG | dGG BGG | DFA cBA | BGG G2 :|

d | Bdg bgg | aff gee | Ace a2 a | gag fed |

Bdg bgg | aff gee | ABc dcA | AGF G2 :|

                       

MILL STREAM, THE. Irish, Reel. Ireland, County Cork. G Major/Mixolydian. Standard. AB. Petrie identifies this as a County Cork reel. See also the first part of the tunes “Oíche Nollag,” " Strawberry Blossom [2],” “There’s nae luck aboot the house (there's nae luck ava) [1],” “ Ghile Beag le m’Anam Thú,” and Petrie’s (1905) untitled airs No. 154 and 258. Source for notated version: “From P. Carew’s MSS” [Stanford/Petrie]. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; No. 396, pg. 100.

X:1

T:Mill Stream, The

M:C

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Stanford/Petrie (1905), No. 396

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

Bc | dBGB AGEG | dGBG c2 ce | dGBG AGEG | dBcA G2 || AG |

Ad de =fefd | dgg^f g2 ag | fdd=f ecce | dBcA G2 AG | Adde =fefd |

dgg^=f gbag | fdd=f ecce | dBcA G2 ||

                       

MILL TOWN MAID. AKA and see “Miltown Maid.”

                       

MILLADEN. Scottish, Strathspey. B Minor. Standard. AAB. From the Harp and Claymore collection, composed by the great Scots fiddler-composer J. Scott Skinner (1843-1927). Skinner (The Scottish Violinist), pg. 6. Skinner (Harp and  Claymore), 1904; pg. 76.

X:1

T:Milladen

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

C:J. Scott Skinner

N:”Slowly”

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:B Minor

F | B2 d>B f>Bd>B | [A>A]c[e>e]^g {g}a2 e>c | B2 d>B c>^AB>[=Gg] |

[F>f][Ee][D>d][Cc] [(B,2B2][B,)FB] :|!

|| c | d2 (f>e) dfad’ | [A2A2] (c>B) Acea | B2 (d>c) Bdfb |

f>ed>c (B2 [F>B)]c | d2 f>d (3add’ (3afd |!

[A2A2] c>A (3eca (3ecA | B2 d>B c^AB>G | F>ED>C (B,2 B,) ||

                       


MILLAR OF DRONE. See "Miller of Drone".

                       

MILLBANK COTTAGE. Scottish, March (2/4 time). A Major. Standard tuning. AABBCCDD (Brody): AABB'CCDD' (Martin). Composed by W.R. (or 'W.D.') Drumbeck (though often listed as "traditional"). Favored at pipe competitions, says Robin Morton (1976). Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 188. Martin (Ceol na Fidhle), Vol. 2, 1988; pg. 6. Olympic 6151, The Angus Strathspey and Reel Society‑ "Scottish Traditonal Fiddle Music" (1978). Philo 1042, Boys of the Lough‑ "Piper's Broken Finger" (1976).

                       

MILLBRAE. Shetland, Reel. A Major. Standard tuning. AAB (Martin & Hughes): AABB’ (Songer). Composed by the late Shetland pianist and accordion player Ronald (Ronnie) Cooper of Lerwick, Shetland. Martin & Hughes (Ho-ro-gheallaidh), 1990; pg. 27. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; pg. 134. BM-91, Buddy MacMaster – “Glencoe Hall.” Philo 1031, Boys of the Lough - “Lochaber No More” (1976).

                       

MILLEDGEVILLE. AKA and see "Long Road to Milledgeville." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Alabama. This tune has been identified as distinct to the Rocky Ridge, Alabama, region.

                       

MILLER, THE.  AKA and see “Miller’s Reel [1].”

 

MILLER AND HIS SONS, THE. English, Air (4/4 time). England, Northumberland. D Major. Standard tuning. One part. "The miller of the olden time was deemed fair game for the satirist. Chaucer, describing the miller, says:

***

'A thief he was, forsooth, of corn and meal,

And that a sly, and usant for to steal.'

***

This ballad is one of the most popoular of the numerous songs written in ridicule of the trade. Many different versions of it are in existence; the tune also varies in different localities. The present air is evidently a slightly varied set of the old tune called 'The Oxforshire Tragedy', which Mr. Chappell believes to have been one of the old ditties used by the minstrels of the fifteenth and sexteenth centuries in chanting their lengthty narratives at Christmas dinners and bride‑ales" (Stokoe).

***

There was a jolly miller, and he

Had lusty sons, one, two, and three;

He called them all and asked their will,

If that to them he left his mill.

***

The song has indeed been collected in myriad versions; see, for example, the old‑timey versions called "The Miller's Will" as played by the Gypsy Gyppo String Band (Bay 209) and the New Lost City Ramblers (Folkways). Bruce & Stokoe (Northumbrian Minstrelsy), 1882; pgs. 94‑95.

X:1

T:Miller and his sons, The

M:C

L:1/8
S:Bruce & Stokoe – Northumbrian Minstelsy (1882)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

FE|D2D2d2 AG|FF E2D2c2|d2d2e2A2|B2^G2A2 de|f2e2d2D2|

F2A2d2 dc|B2B2B2 dB|A2G2F2 DE|F2A2d2AG|F2E2D2||

                       

MILLER BOY. Old-Time. DDad tuning.

                       


MILLER LADS (Gillean ban a' mhuilleir). AKA and see "Dunmaglass."  Scottish, Strathspey. F Major. Standard. AA'BB'. This tune "is the composition of a man of the name of Gow, who lived in Dunmaglass, in Inverness‑shire, during the last century. He was miller, carpenter, and minstrel to the family of Dunmaglass, and his sons, in the capacity of gamekeepers or sportsmen, supplied the table with venison and game. The air celebrates the alertness of those young fellows" (Fraser). Fraser (The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles), 1874; No. 80, pg. 29. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 212.

X:1

T:Miller Lads

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

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

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:F

A|F<F A2 F<FA<c|G>GA>c d2 d<f|1 F<F A2 F<F A>c|G<G A>F D2D:|2

f>ga>c A>GF>A|G<G A>F D2D||

e|~f>c d/c/B/A/ f<c c>a|~f<c c>A d2 d>e|1 f>ga>c A>GF>A|G>GA>F D2D:|2

f>a g<a A>G F<A|G<G A>F D2D||

                       

MILLER OF CAMSERNEY, THE. Scottish, Strathspey. A Major. Standard. AAB. Composed by A(rchie) Menzies (according to Stewart-Robertson), perhaps the Archibald Menzies who was appointed Conductor of the Edinburgh Highland Reel and Strathspey Society in 1889. Upon his death in 1914 he was succeeded to the position by his son, Ian C. Menzies, until his death in 1949. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 140. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 40.

X:1

T:Miller of Camserney, The

M:C

L:1/8

C:A. Menzies

R:Strathspey

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

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

c | {G}A>EC>A F>AE>G | A>EC>c {c}B>A B<c | {G}A>EC>A F>AE>C | (3DEF (3EGe c<AA :|

(c/d/) | {c/d/}e>c A<a f<d e>d | c>e (3cAc d<BB(c/d/) | {c/d/}e>c A<=g f<d e>c | {e}(3dcB (3GBe c<AA(c/d/) |

e>cA>a f<d e>d | c>e (3cAc d<BB(c/d/) | (3ecA (3AEC (3FDA E>C | (3DEF (3EGe c<AA ||

                       

MILLER O' DEE, THE. AKA ‑ "The Miller of the Dee." English, Scottish; Jig or Country Dance Tune. A Minor (Kerr, Raven): C Minor (Gow). Standard. AB (Raven): ABB (Gow, Kerr). Cecil Sharp, writing in his book English Folk-Song (1907), begs comparison of two English versions of this tune (see abc’s below), one an “improved” version from a ballad opera, printed by Chappell in Popular Music of the Olden Times, and one collected by Vaughan Williams from a traditional singer. One can “see for himself how grievously a fine tune has suffered at the hands of the editing musician.” Chappell did print another version, says Sharp, that he did collect from a traditional source, noted down from a street singer in Kilburn, “one of the very few genuine traditionary (sic) airs in his book. The superiority of this second tune over the first does not, however, seen to have struck him; indeed, it may be doubted whether he perceived the connection between the two tunes.” Gow (Complete Repository), Part 3, 1806; pg . 8. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 3; No. 406, pg. 44. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 119. Sharp (English Folk Song), 1907; pg. 116.

X:1

T:Miller of Dee, The

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:Gow – 3rd Repository  (1806)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C Minor

G|{E}c2 c {c}B2G|e2e d2f|(fe)c (ed)=B|c3 z2G|c>~dc {c}=B>=AG|e>fe d2 g/f/|

{f}e>dc {e}d>c=B|(c3 c2)||

|:e/f/|g2g g2e|f2f f2d|e>dc f2e|e3 {fe}d2G|c>dc {c}=B>=AG|~e>fe d2 g/f/|

{f}e>dc {e}d>c=B|(c3 c3):|

X:2

T:Miller o’ Dee

L:1/8

M:6/8

S:Chappell – Popular Music of the Olden Times  (1859)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G Minor

D|G2G ^F2D|B2B A2c|B2G A2^F|(G3 G2):|

B/c/|d2d d2B|c2c c2A|BG2 c2B|B3 A2D|G2G ^F>=ED|

B2B A2c|B>AG A2^F|(G3 G2)||

X:3

T:Miller o’ Dee

L:1/8

M:6/8

S:Vaughan Williams – Collected from a traditional singer

K:G Minor

D|G2G F2D|B2c d2c|B2G B2A|(G3 G2):|

c|d2d dcB|c2c c2d|B2A G2D|F3 F2D|G2G F2D|B2c d2c|

B2G G2A|(G3 G2)||

 

MILLER O' DERVIL. AKA and see "The Auld Brig o' Ayr,” "Benholm Castle,” "Bob Steele," "Johnnie Steele," "The New Brig o' Dee." Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard. AAB. A tune reworked by many prople, though it is principally associated (as "Johnnie Steele") with James Barnett of Kirkwall (1847‑1898). It is attributed to Tom Barnett in Skinner’s Scottish Violinist. Hardie (Caledonian Companion), 1992; pg. 54. Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; pg. 141. Skinner (The Scottish Violinist), pg. 11.

X:1

T:Miller o’ Dervil, The

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

A, | [DD<]D F>A d>c d<f | [DD<]D F>D E>B,B>E | D<D F>A d>cd>A | (3.B.c.d (3.A.B.G F<D D :|

|| A | (d>ef>).g (a>ba>).d | (=c>de>).f (g>ag>).e | (d>ef>).g (a>ba>).f |

(3.g.f.e (3.b.a.g f<d [Fd>]g | (3.f.d.f (3.a.f.d (3.g.f.g  (3.e.f.g | (3.f.d.f (3.e.c.e (3d.c.B (3.A.B.=c |

(3.B.G.B (3d.c.B (3[AA][Ff][Ae] (3.d.c.B |ABA GFE F<D [A,D] ||

 

MILLER OF DRAUGHIN, THE. AKA – “Miller of Droghan.” AKA and see “Man from Bundoran.” Irish, Reel. E Minor. Standard. AB. A distanced version of the Scots tune “Miller of Drone.” Source for notated version: Paddy O’Brien [Black]. Black (Music’s the Very Best Thing), 1996; No. 280, pg. 150. Green Linnet GLCD 1200, Lunasa – “Otherworld” (1999. Appears as “Miller of Drohan”). Green Linnet SIF 3040, De Dannan – “Ballroom” (learned from the playing of Dermy and Tara Diamond of Belfast, although the group thinks it may have originally come from fiddler Tommy Gunn, from Co. Fermanagh). Paddy O’Brien (et al) – “The Big Squeeze.”

X:1

T: Miller of Draughin

Q: 350

R: Reel

M: 4/4

L: 1/8

K: Edor

BA | GE ~E2 DEB,E | DEGA BcBA | BE~E2 DEB,E | DEGA B2BA |

GE~E2 DEB,E | DEGA BcBA | BE~E2 DEB,E | DEGA B2BA ||

G2 BG dGBG | Beef gedB | G2 BG dGBA | GEGA BdBA |

G2 BG dGBG | Beef gfeg | faef dedB | GEGA BABd ||

           

MILLER OF DROHAN. See “Miller of Draughin,” "Miller of Drone." Lunasa – “Otherworld.”

           


MILLER OF DRONE [1], THE. AKA – “Miller of Drum.” See "Cairistiona Chaimbel" and "Christy Campbell." Scottish (originally), English, Canadian; Strathspey. England, Northumberland. Canada; Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island. E Minor (Colclough, Hall & Stafford, Kennedy, Raven): F Sharp Minor (Athole, Cole, Gow, Hardie, Hunter, Kerr, Martin, Skye, Skinner, Surenne): A Minor (Carlin/Master, Honeyman, Perlman). Standard tuning. AB (Carlin, Cole, Gow, Hardie, Honeyman, Hunter, Martin, Perlman, Skinner, Surenne): AAB (Kennedy): AA'B (Athole, Skye): AABB (Colclough, Raven). This classic strathspey was probably composed by Nathaniel Gow (1763-1831), to whom it is often attributed, and appears in his Complete Repository, Part Second, 1802. Nathaniel’s father Niel Gow is also sometimes credited with the piece (e.g. by Perlman). “The Miller of Drone” was published about 1801 by John Pringle. It has been said that Pringle also claimed authorship, and certainly “Drone” is sometimes credited to him as well, however, Alburger (1983) points out that Pringle clearly identified other tunes on the same page as his own, but did not put his name with “Drone.” Although Gow published it a year later most authors seem to lean toward ascribing the tune to him, with the notable exception of the collector and Gow sceptic John Glen (1895), who called Gow’s claim "doubtful." J. Scott Skinner, never one to shy from self-promotion, predicted when he published his own famous strathspey "The Miller o' Hirn" that "'The Miller o' Drone' will drone no more"--time, however, has not proven him correct. A melody with this title (perhaps version #2) is one of the "missing tunes" from William Vickers' 1770 Northumbrian dance tune manuscript. Cape Breton fiddlers made sound recordings of the tune relatively early: Angus Allan Gillis cut it on 78 RPM in 1935 (paired with “The Yetts of Muckart”). See also note for “Grey Eagle [1].” Sources for notated versions: Bill Hardie (Scotland) [Hunter]; Peter Chaisson, Jr. (b. 1942, Bear River, North-East Kings County, Prince Edward Island) [Perlman]. Alburger, 1983; Ex. 79, pg. 131 (appears as "Millar of Drone"). Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 146, pg. 88. Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 48. Colclough (Tutor for the Irish Union Pipes), c. 1830; pg. 13. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 124. Gow (Complete Repository), Part 2, 1802; pg. 25. Hall & Stafford (Charlton Memorial Tune Book), 1974; pg. 55. Hardie (Caledonian Companion), 1986; pgs. 26-27 (includes variations by Bill Hardie). Honeyman (Strathspey, Reel and Hornpipe Tutor), 1898; pg. 18. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 144. Kennedy (Traditional Dance Music of Britain and Ireland: Reels and Rants), 1997; No. 125, pg. 30. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; Set 30, No. 1, pg. 18. Lowe (A Collection of Reels and Strathspeys), 1844. MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; pg. 2. Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; pg. 15. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 197. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 181. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 163. Skinner (Harp and Claymore), 1904; pg. 108. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 10. Surenne (Dance Music of Scotland), 1852; pgs. 50-51. ACC-49398, Brenda Stubbert - “House Sessions” (1992). Beltona BL2128 (78 RPM), The Edinburgh Highland Reel and Strathspey Society (1936). Canadian Broadcasting Corp. NMAS 1972, Natalie MacMaster - "Fit as a Fiddle" (1993). Celtic CX 017, Dan J. Campbell. Green Linnet SIF3040, De Dannan - "Ballroom" (1987. The tune appears on the record as "The Miller of Drohan," rendered as a hornpipe. It was learned from the playing of Tara and Dermy Diamond of Belfast, though the version probably originally came from Co. Fermanagh fiddler Tommy Gunn.) Rounder 7003, John Campbell - “Cape Breton Violin Music” (1976). Rounder Records 7052, Buddy MacMaster – “The Cape Breton Tradition” (2003). “James F. Dickie’s Delights” (1976).

See also listings at:

Alan Snyder’s Cape Breton Fiddle Recording Index

Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources 

Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info

X:1

T:Miller of Dron [1]

Q:140

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspay

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

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

c/B/|A<FF<A E>F E<C|A,<Ad>c B2 Bc/B/|1 A<FF>A E>F E<C|D<FE>G A2A:|2

e>Bc>G A>EF>C|D>FE>G A2A||c/d/|e<cc<a e>e f/e/d/c/|e<cc<a f2 f>a|e<c c>a e>e f/e/d/c/|

d>Bc>A F2 Fc/d/|e<cc<a e>e f/e/d/c/|e>fa>g f2 f>g|(3agf (3efg (3aed (3cBA|(3dcB (3cBA (3Ffe (3dcB|]

 

MILLER OF DRONE [2], THE. Scottish, Country Dance Tune (6/8 time). The piece appears in the Bodleian Manuscript (in the Bodleian Library, Oxford), inscribed "A Collection of the Newest Country Dances Performed in Scotland written at Edinburgh by D.A. Young, W.M. 1740."


                       

MILLER OF GLANMIRE, THE (An Muilleoir Ua Gleann-Magair). AKA and see “The Lilting Banshee,” “Ryan’s Favorite.” Irish, Double Jig. A Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AABB. O’Neill had the tune from a seventeen year old fiddler named George West, who, though gifted musically, was somewhat indigent and did not own a fiddle. He had formed a symbiotic musical relationship of sorts with one O’Malley, who did own a fiddle and who eked out a meager living playing house parties despite the loss of a finger from his left hand. O’Malley, however, invariable could only make it to midnight before he got too drunk to bow, at which time West took over his fiddle and finished the night’s engagement. “Thus lived the careless, improvident but talented Georgie, until an incident in his life rendered a trip to the far west advisable." See also the related tunes “Killaloe Boat” and “Ballinasloe Jig.” O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 765, pg. 143. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 48, pg. 24.

X:1

T:Miller of Glanmire, The

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 48

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Minor

G|EAA EAA|~B3 G2A|Bee edB|de^f gag|eaa age|dBG G2A|Bee dBG|BAA A2:|

|:d|eaa age|dBG G2A|Bee edB|de^f gag|eaa age|dBG G2A|Bee dBG|BAA A2:|

           

MILLER OF GLENMIRE, THE. AKA and see “Ballinasloe Jig,” “Boholla Jig [1]," "The Lilting Banshee." Irish, Reel. Mary Bergin's title.

           

MILLER O' HIRN, THE. Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. The first tune composed by J. Scott Skinner, for his friend James Johnston, the miller at Hirn, near Banchory, whom he visited as a child (Hunter says Skinner's grandfather and Johnston married sisters).  Skinner apparently was confident that his composition, which in fact is one of his best, would supplant the famous strathspey "Miller o' Drone" in the literature, for he prefaced the tune in his Harp and Claymore collection with:

***

We'll 'Drone' nae mair, sin' we ha'e got

The 'Miller o' the Hirn', O.

***

Hunter (1979) includes this bit of verse in his note on the melody:

***

'Lad, cam' ye doun by Feugh's green howe,

The Feugh that rins through Crathes, O?

Heard ye a fiddler dirl a bow,

Wi' something like a pathos, O?

Weel, gin he meet wi' your applause,

I brawly can discern, O,

The dusty‑noted fiddler was

"The Miller o' the Hirn", O.

***

Alburger (Scottish Fiddlers and Their Music), 1983; Ex. 105, pg. 182. Feldman & O’Doherty (The Northern Fiddler), 1979; pg. 109 (appears as “Untitled Strathspey”). Hardie (Caledonian Companion), 1992; pg. 73. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 111. MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; pg. 67. Skinner (Harp and Claymore Collection), 1904; pg. 71. Skinner (The Scottish Violinist), pg. 2. Topic 12T280, J. Scott Skinner “The Starthspey King.” Tradition 2118, Jim MacLeod & His Band ‑ "Scottish Dances: Jigs, Waltzes and Reels" (1979).

See also listing at:

Alan Snyder’s Cape Breton Fiddle Recording Index

X:1

T:Miller o’ Hirn, The

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

S:MacDonald – Skye Collection (1887)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

D>E F<B A<F (D2|B,>)E G/F/E/D/ C<A, ~A,>C|D>E F<B A<F D2|

B,>D (C<A) F<D D2:|

A>G (F<d) B<(G ~G2)|B>A ^G<e c<A A>B|A>G (F<d) B>A (G<B)|

c>B A<a f<d ~d>B|A>G (F<d) B<(G ~G2)|B>A (^G<e) c<A A>c|

(3dAB (3cde (3fde (3fga|(3bag (3fed (3cBA (3GFE||

           

MILLER OF MANSFIELD, THE. English, Jig. England, Northumberland. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Seattle (William Vickers), 1987, Part 2; No. 388.

X:1

T:Miller of Mansfield, The

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:William Vickers – Great Northern Tun