Flowers of Edinburgh
| "Flowers of Edinburgh" | |
|---|---|
 Published in 477 tune books | |
| Song | |
| Songwriter(s) | Unknown |
"Flowers of Edinburgh" is a traditional
History
According to a self-deprecating secondary report in A Native's Guide to Edinburgh by Tom Mc Rae,[1] the stench from the loch permeated the old city and probably gave rise to the traditional tune "The Flowers of Edinburgh." However, The "Traditional Tune Archives" website gives a more convincing explanation of the genesis of the title, such as that it probably was originally "The Flower (singular) of Edinburgh" and referred to a woman.[2] A 2011 blogspot for "gdaeblogspot" also gives several possible explanations for the title.[3]
The author of this blog suggests the author was the publisher James Oswald. The "Traditional Tune Archives" website gives an earlier date of c 1737 by John Walsh in "Caledonian Country Dances Vol 2".
In America, William Rebbeck published a version of the dance in 1788.[4]
A piper of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played "Flowers of Edinburgh" while the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin was lowered into the vault at Windsor.[5]
Technical
G Major (one sharp)
Recordings
A few of the many notable recordings of a tune by this name:
- 50 Fiddle Solos by Aly Bain
- Rogha Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2007 by Various Artists
- Shetland Fiddle Music by School of Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh
- The Cat That Ate The Candle by John Carty and Brian McGrath
- The Fiddlesticks Collection by Jerry Holland
Other names
Blata Duin-Eudain, Knuckle Down, My Love was Once a Bonnie Lad, My Love's Bonny When She Smiles on Me, To the Battle Men of Erin, The Weobley Hankie Dance, The Weobley Hanky Dance.[6]
Bibliography
- Captain Simon Fraser's Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland (1816)
It is also included in Cecil Sharp's "Country Dance Tunes" (1922) [7]
See also
- The Flouers o Edinburgh (play set in Edinburgh by Robert McLellan)
- List of Scottish country dances
- Scottish fiddle
- Music of Ireland
- Music of Scotland
- Old Time Fiddle
Videographic documentation
- Proper performance Ashley MacIsaac's February 20, 2010 concert in Victoria, with guests Qristina & Quinn Bachand. Also featuring Bryan Skinner on bodhran and Jason King on whistle.
- Sometimes played in D Major. Title: Flowers of Edinburgh & Spootiskerry – Ashley MacIsaac & The Bachands.
- Dance tune. Lopez Island 2008
References
- ^ A Native's Guide to Edinburgh|Tom Mc Rae, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia|©2007 This article appeared previously in Lowlands-L Travels
- ^ Flowers of Edinburgh (July 2022). "Flowers of Edinburgh (1)". The Traditional Tune Archives. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ The Flowers of Edinburgh (23 June 2011). "Bouzouki GDAE: The Flowers of Edinburgh". Bouzouki GDAE. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ Shaw, Pat. "Country Dances". Country Dances. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Why the Piper's lament will be the most poignant moment of the Queen's funeral". Tatler. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "The Flowers Of Edinburgh barndance". The Session. 22 February 2004. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ Sharp, Cecil. "Country Dance Tunes (Sharp, Cecil) - IMSLP: Free Sheet Music PDF Download". IMSLP. Retrieved 25 September 2022.