----------
> Stan Reeves once told me he thought many such rowing tunes are
> preserved in so-called Gaelic waltzes, and it's true that they do have
> the same rhythm. I don't know if he still reads Scots-L, but if you do
> Stan, I'd be interested to hear your theories again.
"Among a sea going island people like those of the Hebrides, the
iorram(pronounced-irram) or rowing songs must have been one of the most
frequently heard songs." ( Francis Collinson; The Traditional and Nationaal
Music of Scotland)
Many of these were written in 3/4 or slow 6/8 time. Collinson was puzzled by
this as rowing has an in and out movement. But he had obviously never rowed
with long oars on the Minch. The Ist beat is very pronounced and corresponds
with lifting the oars out and swinging them forward as you straighten your
arms and lean forward. 2 and 3 are the pulling stroke. Imagining this when
you are playing will give you the right tempo and a very primitive rythmic
chanted feel, rather than the twee parlour interpretations. Try it with Fear
a Bhata! or the Skye Boat Song. These are just two of the many airs used as
waltzs in the Western isles which clearly predate the introduction of the
waltz. I'm sure Gaelic musicians could think of many more,including Iomramh
eadar II'as Uist. Collinson uses the Ness Rowing song and Iorram o'n
Bhirlinn Chlann Raghnail as examples. A Birlinn being a 40'rowing and
sailing Galley and the chief mode of transport between the Islands until the
17thc. My own ambition is to sail my own boat up Loch Moidart to Castle
Tiorram while playing this tune. Anyone want to Crew!--
AY STAN
Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To
subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
