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Transcribed into ABC for The Village Music Project by Barry
Callaghan. Jan. 2003
Go to ABC file
Go to PDF of manuscript
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of transcription
Lincoln Records Office. William Clarke's book (with an 'e') was
found by the late Barry Callaghan who deposited the scans with the
Village Music Project. The present whereabouts of the book is
unknown. It's listed as being in the Lincoln Records Office but
they can't seem to find it.
The earliest date is next to William Clark's name - 1770 but there
are other names written in the book, including Charles Woodall and
George Skelton in 1789 and William Moss, Lincoln, 1796.
Checked against photocopy and prepared/formatted for VMP by Chris Partington. Feb 2003
Village Music Project code assigned as ” WCl. ”
The MS is a leather-bound musician’s tune book typical of the
late 18thC.
The first entry is on the inside of the front cover, and reads:
“Charles Woodall’s Book Lincoln February 24th….Gaven imby (Given Him By..(?)) George Skelton 1789″
On the facing page is:
William Moss His Musick Book Lincoln May 17(9?)6”
Over the next page is:
“William Clarke His Musick Book Lincoln September The 14… 1770”
On the facing page is a list of contents of the first 20 tunes, to “Down With Ye Rumps”
Then follow the 72 musical items, all in the same hand as the contents list, and in what it is reasonable to assume is William Clarke’s hand. They are on hand-ruled staves, 4 to a page, on paper of a size not guaranteed from my photocopy, but approximately 7 inches wide by 4 1/2 inches tall. The MS looks to be in a fragile condition.
The Tunes
There are 72 musical items in total.
19 tunes which I know are, take to be, Song Airs, though there are no accompanying words.
6 Marches.
The rest are dance tunes typical of the late 18thC.
20 tunes in 6/8 of which
13 are single jigs,
4 double jigs,
and 2 “Irish” double jigs, these being Paddy Wack and St. Patrick’s Day In The Morning.
9 reels, some Scottish/North British, though none with “Scottish” titles.
4 Hornpipes
3 Minuets
3 Slip Jigs
9 Country Dances, miscellaneous tunes in common time or cut common time.
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