The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #139536   Message #3201488
Posted By: Matthew Edwards
04-Aug-11 - 04:50 AM
Thread Name: Did Boswell (Johnson's biog) play music?
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cut Him Down, Susie
This site ABC notation gives the tune as it appears in The Athole Collection:-

X:165
T:Cut Him Down Susie
R:Strathspey
B:The Athole Collection
M:C|
L:1/8
K:D
B|AF E>FG>B|AA F
B|AF E>FG>B|AF Add:|
|:B|Ag f>dc>A|Ag gf|g>ef>d e>dc>A|B>c e/d/c/B/ Add:|

Nigel Gatherer's notes on
Kerr's Collections state that the tune, a strathspey, is also known as Knock him down Susie, Cut him down Shusie, or even as Susie (Cut him down).

The online Fiddler's Companion comments that according to the Glen Collection of Scottish Dance Music, 1891 the tune was first printed by Neil Stewart in 1761. This would presumably be A Collection of the newest and best reels or country dances, printed in Edinburgh by Neil Stewart c.1761-1765. Can anyone confirm this early source for the tune?

Matthew