Earish Ayre, 1702

Subject: Earish Ayre, 1702
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 May 07 - 08:17 PM

Anybody recognize this? It isn't in Gore's fiddle tune index, I haven't tried the NTI.

X:11
T:Earish Ayre
S:Thomson MS (NLS MS.2833, 1702, for treble recorder)
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:Ddor
d2a2 (gf)(ed)|c2g2 (fe)(dc)|d2 a2   a2   ga |(ba)(gf) "="e2 d2||
agab c'2 ba |gfga b2 ag |a2 d'2 (c'b)(ag)| agab    "="e2 f2 |
fgab c'd'c'a|gfed cdec   |d2 a2   a2   ga |(ba)(gf) "="e2 d2|]

In this context (the compiler was a lowland Scot familiar with the fashionable English music of the time and possibly a part-time trumpeter) "Earish" for "Irish" does not mean Irish, it means Scottish Gaelic. It would be quite easy to crank up the speed and turn it into a stereotypical West Highland fiddle reel, but the notated articulation suggests something slower.