Bagpipe Tunes And Their Stories: The Old Times Up To 1950 - Volume 1

By Susy Klinger

Bagpipe Tunes and Their Stories - Old Times to 1950 - Volume 1

Take a fascinating trip through the world of bagpipe music: a journey in time covering the history of this wonderful instrument. Bagpipe Tunes and Their Stories: Old Times to 1950 features stories behind the unique bagpipe tunes that were composed before 1950.

Bagpipes are at the centre of a vibrant culture that has grown over many generations and continues to fascinate music lovers throughout the world. This book unearths stories connected with well-known tunes that were played and written before 1950. A tribute to the rich heritage of bagpipe music, it is captivating reading for long-time bagpipe enthusiasts as well as people less familiar with this distinctive instrument.

You will become acquainted with a wide range of bagpipe tunes, from the Scottish Highlands to the hills of Ireland and beyond. In addition, you will learn about the occasions for which they were composed and interpreted.

Author Susy Klinger, a well-known music expert and bagpipe enthusiast, has put her broad-ranging knowledge and passionate musical interest into this book. She has done many years of research in Scotland and neighbouring countries, conducted numerous interviews with famous pipers and thoroughly studied bagpipe music in order to put together this collection of stories and personal portraits. The book is a treasure chest of musical discoveries, encompassing everything from traditional ballads to lively dance melodies.

The wealth of information on bagpipe tunes is supplemented by carefully selected photos and illustrations that bring the atmosphere and culture of the relevant period to life. Each page is an invitation to delve into the past and become absorbed in stories of times gone by.

Order your copy now and let yourself be inspired by this fascinating survey of music history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: Jan 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9783758393075

Susy Klinger

Author Susy Klinger, a well-known music expert and bagpipe enthusiast, has put her broad-ranging knowledge and passionate musical interest into this book. She has done many years of research in Scotland and neighbouring countries, conducted numerous interviews with famous pipers and thoroughly studied bagpipe music in order to put together this collection of stories and personal portraits. The book is a treasure chest of musical discoveries, encompassing everything from traditional ballads to lively dance melodies. Susy Klinger has been studying Scottish music since 2003 and regularly travels to the College of Piping in Glasgow for private lessons. In 2012, Susy began lessons with Willie McCallum, one of the worlds best bagpipers. He is a regular guest teacher at the Bagpipe School. Very early in her bagpipe career Susy took part in competitions and achieved great success in Scotland. She was overall winner in Piobaireachd of the CLASP in grade 1 (competitions for amateur bagpipers in Scotland) and achieved 3rd place (out of 30 players) at the Archie Kenneth Quaich in Edinburgh in 2013. These are just a few results in a long list of prizes she won internationally. Susy Klinger played with a renowned bagpipe band in Germany for several years before joining Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band in Scotland for a few seasons. At the time, the band was very successful in grade 2 and won many competitions. During that time, Susy was able to gain an enormous amount of experience in all areas of bagpipe playing. As a trained teacher, Susy is very familiar with teaching children and young people. Currently, Susy is working very hard on her solo career and teaches students from all over the country. Susy Klinger s Bagpipe Tutorial for Children sets a milestone in expertly teaching children how to play the Scottish bagpipes.

Book preview

Contents

FOREWORD

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

THE OLD TIMES UP TO 1950: VOLUME I

A. A. CAMERON’S STRATHSPEY

AE FOND KISS

A HEBRIDEAN AIR

ALE IS DEER, THE

ALFRED E. MILNE

ALICK CAMERON, CHAMPION PIPER

ALICE CUNNINGHAM

ALLANGRANGE

ALLAN ROWAN OF PORT APPIN

A MAN’S A MAN FOR A’THAT

AMY MACLEAN

ANGUS MACAULAY’S TUNE

ANGUS MACKINNON

ANGUS MACPHERSON OF INVERAN

AN MHAIGHDEAN MHARA

ANON

AN T’ALLTAN DUBH

ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL OF KILBERRY

ARDVASAR BLACKSMITH, THE

ARGYLLSHIRE GATHERING, THE

ARLITRACH

ARTAFALLIE

ASSYNT HILLS, THE

ATHOLL CUMMERS

ARTHUR BIGNOLD OF LOCHROSQUE

ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS MARCH

AULD LANG SYNE

AULD WIFE AYONT THE FIRE, THE

BALLOCHYLE

BALMORAL HIGHLANDERS

BARNYARDS O’ DELGATY, THE

BARREN ROCKS OF ADEN

BATTLE OF KILLICRANKIE, THE

BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE, THE

BATTLE OF THE SOMME

BATTLE OF WATERLOO, THE

BECAUSE HE WAS A BONNIE LAD

BENS OF JURA

BIDDY FROM SLIGO

BLACK ISLE, THE

BLOODY FIELDS OF FLANDERS, THE

BOBBY CUTHBERTSON

BODACH NAM BRIOGAIS

BOGALLAN

BONNIE ANN

BONNIE ARGYLL

BONNIE LASS O‘ FYVIE, THE

BONNIE DUNDEE

BONNIE ISLE OF JURA, THE

BONNIE STRATHYRE

BONNIE WELLS O’WEARIE, THE

BONNIE WOODS OF STIRKOKE, THE

BONNY GALLOWA

BOY CHAPMAN

BRAES O’BANFF, THE

BRAEMAR GATHERING

BRAES OF ABERARDER, THE

BRAES OF BRECKLET

BRAES OF CASTLE GRANT, THE

BRAES OF FORBES, THE

BRAES OF MAR

BRAES OF TULLIEMET

BROCHAN LOM

BRIDGE OF OICH, THE

BRIG O’PERTH

BROSE AND BUTTER

BROWN HAIRED MAIDEN, THE

BUNDLE AND GO

BURNING SANDS OF EGYPT, THE

BUZANCY

CABAR FEIDH

CALON LAN

CALUM BEAG

CAMPBELLS ARE COMING, THE

CAMERONIAN RANT

CAPTAIN BALD’S MARCH

CAPTAIN C. M. USHER’S REEL

CAPTAIN DUNCAN MACGREGOR

CAPTAIN E. B. B. TOWSE VC

CAPTAIN E. TOSH, 1ST VBRH

CAPTAIN G CS MACLEOD

CAPTAIN LAWSON’S MEN

CARLES WITH THE BREEKS, THE

CASTLE OF GIGHT, THE

CASTLE TOWARD

CA’ THE EWES

CAWDOR FAIR

CECILY ROSS

CENTER’S BONNET

CHARLES EDWARD HOPE VERE

CHASING DE WET

CLAN MACCOLL, THE

COCK OF THE NORTH

COLIN’S CATTLE

COLIN THOMPSON

COLONEL, CHARLES OGSTON, CB, CMG,

COLONEL H.H. BURNEY’S FAREWELL

COLONEL SIR JAMES BURNETT

COLONEL WILLIAM FRIZELL

COMRADES WE LEFT IN GALLIPOLI, THE

CONON BRIDGE

COWAL GATHERING, THE

CRAIGMILLAR CASTLE

CRAIG-N-DARROCH

CREAG GHUANACH

CREAGORY BLEND

CUIDICH AN RIGH

CUMHA FHINN

CUMHA RUAIRIDH MHOIR

DALNAHASSAIG

DANCERS OF DOUNE, THE

DANCING FEET

DARK ISLAND, THE

D.C. MATHER’S FAREWELL

DEVIL IN THE KITCHEN

DINAH FARQUARSON

DONELLA BEATON

DONALD BLUE

DONALD CAMERON

DONALD CAMERON’S

DONALD MACLEAN’S FAREWELL TO OBAN

DONALD MACLEOD

DONALD MCLENNAN’S EXERCISE

DOORNKOP

DOVECOTE PARK

DREAM VALLEY OF GLENDARUEL, THE

DRIVE HAME THE MAINLANDERS

DRUMMOND CASTLE LAUNDRY

DRUNKEN PIPER, THE

DUCK, THE

DUNCAN GRAY

DUNCAN LAMONT

DUGALD MACCOLL’S FAREWELL

DUNTROON

DUNOON HOME GUARD

EDINBURGH CASTLE

ELPHIN LADS, THE

ELSBETH CAMPBELL

EWE WITH THE CROOKED HORN

FATHER JOHN MACMILLAN

FAIR MAID OF BARRA, THE

FAIRY DANCE, THE

FALL OF PORT ARTHUR, THE

FAR AM BI MI FHIN

FAREWELL TO THE CREEKS

FEAR A’BHATA

FIDDLERS JOY, THE

FLAGON, THE

FLIGHT OF THE EAGLETS

FLOWERS OF THE FOREST

FORTY AND TWA, THE

GABHAIDH SINN AN RATHAD MÒR

GALWAY CITY

GAIRNSIDE

GENERAL GEORGE PATTON - US ARMY

GHLASS-AULT, THE

GIRL WITH THE BROGUE, THE

GLASGOW POLICE MARCH PAST, THE

GLENCUIL COTTAGE

GLENDARUEL HIGHLANDERS, THE

GLEN GELDER

GORDON’S FAREWELL TO CASTLEHILL

GORDON’S MARCH, THE

GREEN HILLS OF TYROL

GREEN GLENS OF ANTRIM, THE

GARB OF OLD GAUL, THE

GURKHAS’ JOY, THE

GUR MILIS MHORAG

HAMILTON BAY

HAWK, THE

HAWK THAT SWOOPS ON HIGH, THE

HECKY MORRISON

HECTOR THE HERO

HENDERSON’S STONE, THE

HEROES OF KOHIMA, THE

HE-RO-HIRAM

HEY CA’ THROU

HIGHLAND BRIGADE AT

HIGHLAND BRIGADE’S MARCH TO HEILBRONN, THE

HIGHLAND CRADLE SONG, THE

HIGHLAND EMIGRANT, THE

HIGHLAND LADDIE

HIGHLANDMAN KISSED HIS MOTHER, THE

HIGHLAND WHISKY

HIGH ROAD TO GAIRLOCH, THE

HIGH ROAD TO LINTON

HIGHLAND WEDDING, THE

HEIGHTS OF DARGAI, THE

HILLS OF GLENTRUIM, THE

HILLS OF JAVA, THE

HODDOM CASTLE

HUGH KENNEDY MA BSS

I’LL GANG NAE MAIR TAE YON TOUN

INVERAN

INVERLOCHY CASTLE

INVERNESS GATHERING, THE

INVEROICH SHINTY CLUB, THE

ISHBEL MACKENZIE

JEAN MACLENNAN

JEANNIE CARRUTHERS

JENNY DANG THE WEAVER

JIG OF SLURS

JOHN D. BURGESS

JOHN MacCOLL’S FAREWELL

JOHN MACFADYEN OF MELFORD

JOHN MACKECHNIE

JOHN MACKENZIE’S FAREWELL

JOHN MORRISON OF ASSYNT HOUSE

JOHNNIE COPE

JOHNNIE MACINTYRE

JOHN ROY STEWART

JOSEPH MACDONALD’S JIG

JUMPIN JOHN

KATE DALRYMPLE

KATIE BAIRDIE

KATRINA BANNISTER

KATY MACDONALD OF CROYDON

KIRKHILL

KESSOCK FERRY

KILBOWIE COTTAGE

KILCOY MILL

KING GEORGE V’S ARMY

KILORAN BAY

KILWORTH HILLS

KITCHENER’S ARMY

LACE TOON, THE

LADIES FROM HELL, THE

LADY ANN MACKENZIE’S FAREWELL

LADY DOROTHEA STEWART MURRAY’S

LADY LOUDEN

LADY MADELINE SINCLAIR

LADY MARY ANN

LAMENT FOR RORY MOR

LANTERN OF THE NORTH, THE /

LEAVING BARRA

LEAVING GLENURQUART

LEAVING IRELAND

LEAVING LUNGA

LEAVING PORT ASKAIG

LEWIS PIPE BAND, THE

LIBERTON POLKA, THE

LIEUTENANT COLONEL D. POLSON HALL

LIVERPOOL SCOTTISH SALUTE

LOCHABER GATHERING, THE

LOCHABER NO MORE

LOCHANSIDE

LOCHIEL’S WELCOME TO GLASGOW

LOCH CARRON

LOCH KELVIN HIGHLANDERS

LOCH LOCHY

LOCH MONAR

LOGIE O’BUCHAN

LORD ALEXANDER KENNEDY

LORD MACDONALD’S REEL

LONDON SCOTTISH AT

LOWERGILL CROFTER’S FAREWELL

LT COL ROBIN CAMPBELL, DSO

MACALLISTER’S DIRK

MAC-A-PHI

MACCRIMMON WILL NEVER RETURN

MACGREGOR OF RORA

MACKAY’S FAREWELL TO THE 74TH

MACKENZIE’S FAREWELL TO

MACNEILLS OF UGADALE, THE

MACPHERSON’S LAMENT

MAGGIE CAMERON

MAIDEN OF MORVEN, THE

MAJOR C. M. USHER, OBE

MAJOR DAVID MANSON

MAJOR JOHN MACLENNAN

MALCOLM MACLEAN CURRIE

MALCOLM MACPHERSON OF PERTH

MAN FROM GLENGARRY, THE

MAIRI’S WEDDING

MASON’S APRON, THE

MALLORCA

MALTA BELLS

MANCHESTER HORNPIPE

MARCHIONESS OF HUNTLY, THE

MARY DARROCH

MEETING OF THE WATERS, THE

MEMORIES O’BON ACCORD

METHVEN CASTLE

MERRILY SAILING

MHAIRI BHAN OG

MICHAEL JOSEPH MACKINNON

MILLBANK COTTAGE

MINGULAY BOAT SONG, THE

MISS JOAN CAMPBELL

MISS MACDONALD OF VIEWFIELD

MIST COVERED MOUNTAINS, THE

MR AND MRS PETER MACLEAN

MRS CATH MACDONALD

MRS DONALD MACLEOD

MRS JOHN MACDONALD OF

MRS JOHN MACCOLL

MRS JOHN MACLELLAN

MRS MACDONALD OF DUNACH

MRS MACDONALD OF UIG

MRS MACLEOD OF RAASAY Dunach

MRS MACKINNON OF CORRY

MRS MACPHERSON OF INVERAN

MRS PAT MACLAREN

MRS WILLIAM MACLELLAN

MO CHUACHAG LAGHACH THU

MONS MEG

MUCKIN’ OF GEORDIE’S BYRE, THE

MUNLOCHY BRIDGE

MUILE NAM FUAR BHEANN

MURDO MACGILLIVRAY OF EOLIGARRY

MURDO CAMPBELL

MY LODGINGS IN THE COLD GROUND

MY LOVE SHE’S BUT A LASSIE YET

NEIL SUTHERLAND OF LAIRG

NONA

OLD RUINS, THE

ORANGE AND BLUE

OSSIAN’S LAMENT FOR HIS FATHER

OVER THE CHINDWIN

OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY

PIOBAIREACHD OF DONALD DUBH

PM DUNCAN MCPHAIL’S RETREAT

PIPE MAJOR HECTOR MACLEAN

PIPE MAJOR R. H. MACPHEE’S REEL

PLAINES OF NORMANDY, THE

PM DONALD MacLEAN OF LEWIS

PM JOHN STEWART

PORTPATRICK

PORTREE BAY

PRETTY APRON, THE

PROVOST DONALD MACDONALD

QUAKER’S WIFE

QUEEN ELIZABETH’S MARCH

REEL OF TULLOCH

RELIEF OF LADYSMITH, THE

RESOLIS

ROAD TO THE ISLES

ROCK AND WEE PICKLE TOW

ROCK (GIBRALTAR), THE

RODDIE CAMPBELL

ROSEHAUGH DANCE

ROSS BATTERY, THE

ROTHIEMURCHUS RANT, THE

SANDY CAMERON

SCORRYBRECK FALLS

SCOTS GUARDS FAREWELL TO

SCOTS WHA HA’E

SHAGGY GREY BUCK, THE

SHANBALLY CASTLE

SHEPHERD’S CROOK

SHOALS OF HERRING

SÌNE BHÀN

SIEGE OF DELHI, THE

SKYE BOAT SONG

SLEEP, DEARIE, SLEEP

SMITH OF CHILICHASSIE, THE

SOUTH UIST EMIGRANTS, THE

SOUTH UIST GOLF CLUB, THE

SURRENDER OF CRONJE, THE

SPORTING JAMIE

STABLE BOYS, THE

SWALLOW-TAILED COAT, THE

THA MI DUILICH

THOMPON’S DIRK

THREE GOOD FELLOWS BEYOND

TIBBY

TULLOCHGORM

TOM BIGBEE WALTZ, THE

TWENTY MEN FROM DUBLIN

UNKNOWN WARRIOR, THE

VALLAY ISLAND

VATERSAY BAY

WADE’S WELCOME TO INVERNESS

WALKING THE FLOOR

WHEN THE BATTLE IS OVER

WHIP HER AND GIRD HER

WHISTLE OWER THE LEAVE O’T

WI’A HUNDRET PIPERS AN’A’

WILLIE MACLEOD - REEDMAKER

WILLIAM MURRAY’S REEL

WILLIE MACRAE OF ULLAPOOL

YOUNG WILLIE MURRAY

2 nd BATTALION THE GORDON

72 ND HIGHLANDERS’ FAREWELL

51 ST HIGHLAND DIVISION, THE

8 TH ARGYLLS’ FAREWELL, THE

8 TH ARGYLLS’ FAREWELL TO DUNOON

71 ST’S FAREWELL TO DOVER, THE

9 th BN SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS, THE

FAMOUS COMPOSERS THE OLD TIMES UP TO 1950

THANK YOU TO…

I AM SORRY IF…

SOURCES

INDEX

EXPLANATIONS OF ABBREVIATIONS USED

FOREWORD

I’ve always liked listening to stories from the past. When I started piping with Jimmy Young at the former College of Piping, he told me lots of stories about piping, pipers and facts behind the tunes. I listened and hoped he would tell me more stories. But I never had the idea to write them down. One day he spoke about the Cameronian Rant, which I liked a lot. That was in 2004 and I can’t remember the exact story anymore. Joe Wilson was another instructor of mine, also at the College of Piping. He was also full of stories.

In 2020 I had the idea of collecting all the stories of the tunes I play. But at that time, I thought it would be a good idea to find the stories of all light music tunes. Piobaireachd stories were available in writing, but not much research had been done for ceol beag. After a chat with Finlay MacDonald, who recommended that I have three categories in my collection (thank you for that), I started to get more interested in modern compositions. Even with internet and clouds, etc. there is no guarantee that all this knowledge will be saved forever. Now is the time to save the stories from modern compositions which pipers in 100 years might want to know. This is especially true for tunes that were written for individual persons. My favourite reel is Bessie MacIntyre. I really wanted to know who she was and for whom I played this tune. But I couldn’t find out at the time.

So, I started this book and collected every story I could find. After a wee while collecting and writing, I noticed that there are thousands of tunes and one book is not enough. This will be number 1 and other volumes will follow.

I hope with this book we can save most of the knowledge behind pipe tunes and give it to other generations so that nothing will be lost for the future.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

OUR PIPE MUSIC IS

DIVIDED INTO THREE

CATEGORIES:

CEOL MOR

the big music or piobaireachd

CEOL BEAG

the little music, which includes quicksteps and dance music like strathspeys and reels

CEOL MEADHONACH

the middle music. As the name says, this is between ceol mor and ceol beag. Airs are an example. This is the oldest form of Highland music.

The MacCrimmons taught piobaireachd in their school in Boreraig. But I am sure there was light music in those days for weddings and other celebrations where the Highlanders danced to the bagpipes. Gaelic poetry also speaks occasionally of the pipes being used as an accompaniment to general merrymaking in the big houses of the West Highlands.

John MacDonald wrote about Calum Piobair that he hardly ever played march, strathspey and reel, only piobaireachd and jigs. Each morning Calum used to play jigs on the chanter while breakfast was being got ready – he used to sit on a stool near the peat fire as he played. But his heart was in Piobaireachd […].

In the 19th century the army got more influence and the style of music changed. The old piping tunes were originally Gaelic airs or fiddle tunes that were adapted to the pipes. But with the army, tunes were composed especially for the pipes. So, in this book the composer could also be a fiddler and not a piper. But I thought it is interesting who composed it, who had the idea of the tune.

Tunes from the old days had two parts and more parts were composed later. So it could be that the first two parts are very old and the other two are much younger. (15/p. 62 and 193)

PUBLISHER

Dudelsackschule.de,

Andreas Hambsch

AUTHOR

Susy Klinger

PHOTOS

Susy Klinger, Nils Bosshammer,

Freepik, iStock, Ambaille.org.uk

LAYOUT

Nils Bosshammer

ISBN

978-3-910702-02-8

EDITION

1st Edition, November 2023

BAGPIPE TUNES

AND

THEIR STORIES

THE

OLD

TIMES

UP TO

1950

VOLUME I

A. A. CAMERON’S STRATHSPEY

STRATHSPEY

JOHN SKINNER

Alexander Anthony Cameron was born in 1875 in Dochanassie, Lochaber, Inverness-shire, near Fort William. He was also known as A. A. or Sandy Cameron. His nickname was the Mighty Mucomir. And that was his farm’s name. He loved farming. Alexander had a good physique and was very strong. He went to the Highland Games for the Athletics regularly and got very famous because he won so much. He also travelled to Australia, New Zealand, America and Russia, where he showed off his strength on stage. He died in 1951 at the age of 76

Source: www.tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:Sandy_Cameron%27s (30.08.2022)

AE FOND KISS

SLOW AIR

TRADITIONAL

This tune is also known as Ae Fond Kiss and Then We Sever. The melody is traditional and Robert Burns wrote words to it. Burns met from time to time with Mrs Agnes Maclehose in Edinburgh. They started a regular correspondence and used the pseudonyms Clarinda and Sylvander for this. After their final meeting Burns wrote this poem. On 27th December 1791 he sent it to Agnes. She then departed Edinburgh for Jamaica to see her husband. The melody Burns took for this tune was Rory Dalls’ Port. But it was replaced later with another tune. Rory Dall was a blind harper living from about 1656 until about 1714. His real name was