"Flowers of Edinburgh" is a traditional fiddle tune, of eighteenth century Scottish lineage. It is also prominent in American fiddle, Canadian fiddle and wherever old time fiddle is cultivated. The tune is also the basis for a Morris Dance, in the Bledington style.
| "Flowers of Edinburgh" | |
|---|---|
 Published in 477 tune books | |
| Song | |
| Songwriter(s) | Unknown |
History edit
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 edit
G Major (one sharp)
Recordings edit
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 edit
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 edit
- 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 edit
- 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 edit
- 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 edit
- ^ 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.