Origins: The Distressed Soldier

Subject: Origins: The Distressed Soldier
From: GUEST,Whistleworks
Date: 06 May 13 - 04:47 PM

Dear Friends,

Still trying to get any info about the tune The Distressed Soldier. I just know that its very old but that's where my knowledge about this one stops. Thanks to anyone that can help.

Bob

Subject: RE: Origins: The Distressed Soldier
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 May 13 - 06:23 PM

You might give us a little information about the tune/words you know?

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: The Distressed Soldier
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 06 May 13 - 08:38 PM

Martin there's a youtube video: Distressed Soldier and a pdf of the tune: Distressed Soldier (pdf) of the tune.

I'm sure I know this tune, but not at the faster than the video; maybe from morris dancing? Maybe if I sleep on it it'll come to me.

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: The Distressed Soldier
From: GUEST,Whistleworks
Date: 06 May 13 - 09:18 PM

I don't think that there are words to this. I know where to find it, I just don't know anything about it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bob

Subject: RE: Origins: The Distressed Soldier
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 06 May 13 - 09:26 PM

I haven't checked note for note yet, but I think this is the tune called Poor Soldier in the John Clare tunes in George Deacon's John Clare and the Folk Tradition (in G there; I think the Village Music Project has a copy, but you can see it here: Poor Soldier) It's also related to the song The Deadly Wars, which in turn is derived from Burns' Whwn Wild War's Deadly Blast Was Blawn, for which Burns' suggested tune was The Mill, Mill O. A copy of this tune is on our own Jack Campin's site and you can see it at abcnotation here: The Mill, Mill-O, and you'll see it's almost the same as the Distressed Soldier pdf. With a bit of luck Jack will come along with the ms details for his source.

It maybe Jeannie Robertson's Deadly Wars was the tune it reminded me of, but I'm pretty sure I've also played it for dancing.

Anyway, the fact that Burns suggested the tune dates it back at least as far as late 18C. Jack can probably give you a better date (or if not maybe I can tomorrow - I'm tired and off to bed now!)

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: The Distressed Soldier
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 07 May 13 - 06:20 AM

Feeling more awake now, so here are some more details.

There's a version of the Burns' song here in the DT: When Wild War's Deadly Blast and a longer version posted in this thread: Lyr Req: The Deadly Wars (R Burns/Celtic Thunder) (from The Works of Robert Burns: With an Account of His Life, And a Criticism on His Writings, Volume 4). The song was published in 1793.

The Mill, Mill O (also here in the DT: The Mill, The Mill O, from MacColl) appeared in Johnson's Scots Musical Museum, No.242 in vol 3, which takes us back to 1771.

There's a version of The Mill, Mill O in Orpheus Caledonius, 1733. The tune is in two parts, and the second part is definitely part of the tune in question. The first part not quite so much.

It was also printed in the Musical Miscellany vol 6, 1731: The Mill Mill O, with the same tune as in the Orpheus.

I'll have to leave it there (my dog's getting more insistent!). Jack may be able to offer more help on the early origins.

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: The Distressed Soldier
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 May 13 - 08:10 AM

The page my copy of the tune is linked off is here:

http://www.campin.me.uk/Flute/Webrelease/Flute/03Air/03Air.htm

There are older versions. Mine was from a Scottish manuscript of the mid-18th century compiled by someone learning the flute from scratch (it starts with a fingering chart).

Subject: RE: Origins: The Distressed Soldier
From: GUEST,Whistleworks
Date: 11 May 13 - 10:36 PM

Dear Mick and Jack,

Thank you so much for your help. THIS is why I read the posts on Mudcat. You guys are great.

Bob