Source of Spey

Subject: Source of Spey
From: Alice
Date: 24 Sep 00 - 11:55 AM

Can anyone give me history/information about the tune Source of Spey?

Subject: RE: Source of Spey
From: Alice
Date: 24 Sep 00 - 07:50 PM

Maybe I should make this question more specific. How old is this tune? Does anyone know who wrote it?

Subject: RE: Source of Spey
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 24 Sep 00 - 08:10 PM

This from  The Fiddler's Companion :

MADHAIR SPEA  (The Source of Spey).  Scottish, Strathspey. E Minor. Standard. AAB.  According to Captain Simon Fraser (in whose collection the tune appears) the melody was probably written by Lachlan McPherson of Strathmashy, who lived near the source of the famous fast-flowing Highland river.  Neil (1991) reports the 96 mile long Spey rises in Badenoch, some 16 miles south of Fort Augustus, and drains 1300 square miles of Scottish countryside.  Neil, 1991; No. 127, pg. 166.

SOURCE OF SPEY, THE  ("Mathair Spe" or "Madhair Spea").  Scottish, Strathspey. E Minor. Standard. AAB (Athole, Fraser, Neil, Skye): AABB (Kerr).  Composed by MacPherson (Skye).  "This was acquired by the editor's grandfather from Lachlan MacPherson of Strathmashy, of whom mention has already been made.  He lived near the source of Spey, and it has every chance of being his composition, as he was a genuine poet, and sung with taste and spirit" (Fraser).  Neil (1991) says: "The strath (river valley) of Spey is one of the most characteristic longitudinal valleys of Scotland.  It lies in a north-easst to south-west direction and is bounded on its north and west sides by a ridge of hills." Fraser, (1816) 1874 edition; No. 72, pg. 26. Kerr, Vol. 3; No. 65, pg. 9. Neil, 1991; No.127, pg. 166. MacDonald ("The Skye Collection"), 1887; pg. 100. Stewart-Robertson ("The Athole Collection"), 1884; pg. 169.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Source of Spey
From: Alice
Date: 24 Sep 00 - 08:21 PM

Thank you, Malcolm.
"...has every chance of being his composition, as he was a genuine poet, and sung with taste and spirit" - does this mean it could have lyrics? I know it only as a strathspey tune.
If anyone has lyrics to it, please post them.

Alice

Subject: RE: Source of Spey
From: Alice
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 11:26 AM

Subject: RE: Source of Spey
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Sep 00 - 01:08 PM

Subject: RE: Source of Spey
From: Alice
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 11:02 PM