Rev. ROBERT HARRISON MS, c1810

Transcribed into ABC Music Notation for the Village Music Project by Simon Wilson, 2006.

Go to ABC file (516 tunes)

Go to PDF of transcription (large file, 248pp, 6.5Mb)

1.Brief Introduction
2.Notes by Barry Callaghan
3.Index

Brief introduction by Chris Partington, followed by information on Robert Harrison researched by Barry Callaghan.

The Reverend Robert Harrison was, during the early 19th century, the incumbent of a church at Temple Sowerby some miles to the east of Penrith in north west England.

The book was unearthed by Chris Metherell of the Instep Research Team, investigated by the late Barry Callaghan, restored by subscription in his memory and presented to the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.

It is 7 1/2 inches wide by 6 inches tall and has eight staves on each page.
There are 579 musical items. The great majority of the tunes are in the same hand except for a very few added in two different hands at the end.  It is thought that his daughter Ann may have contributed to the book.

The very first page consists of a partial index, amongst which are the following inscriptions in the same hand as the music:-

“The Revd. Robert Harrison’s Book”
“Reverend (..Robt..?) Harrison”
and then:-
“Anne Harrison’s Tune Book. ..Ger.. Flute..?”
These are the only inscriptions in the book not directly connected to a particular tune.

There are no dates given in any of the inscriptions.
However there is enough indirect evidence, as follows, in the choice of tunes to hazard a date.
Wragg’s tunes at the beginning are from a well known tutor for the German or transverse flute of the 18th Century, a copy of which is amongst the Senhouse papers collection lodged in Cumbria Record Office, Carlisle.
[This and the compass of some of the tunes would seem to suggest that he played the flute, but he bequeathed his violin to his son Robert (see below) so perhaps he played both.]
Some of the tunes mention characters from the Napoleonic wars – Gen. Napoleon’s March, Lord Nelson’s Hornpipe, which puts it into the 19th C. but there are no Quadrilles to place it any later than say 1818. My round figure would be five years either side of 1810.

It is a large collection. Only a few others of this size exist.
Only one of the tunes, Alstone Slow March, has any possibly specific local significance, all the rest are typical of published music books of the period available anywhere in the kingdom.

Temple Sowerby, in what was Westmorland and is now part of Cumbria, is a small village in the Eden Valley, a few miles to the east of Penrith.

Chris Partington, 2007.

The Following Notes by Barry Callaghan, 2006

The Rev. Robert Harrison
1770 – 1834

The Rev. Robert Harrison, born in 1770 and buried at Temple Sowerby, Cumbria (formerly Westmorland) on 17th May 1834, was Perpetual Curate of Temple Sowerby from 1803 until his death, and also officiated at Kirkby Thore, a few miles away.

He is remembered for having improved the fabric of Temple Sowerby church, there being a plaque in the entrance recording his building of the tower c1814.

He was married to Elizabeth, and had four sons and two daughters; Elizabeth married a Temple Sowerby Currier, Joseph Dover, and gave birth to John in 1831, Ann became Mrs. Parkin. Of the sons, three continued in the Church: Thomas died just over a year after his father (who died aged 64 after being in ill health), Robert (the son) became vicar of Temple Sowerby from 1845 to 1862, having been an assistant minister from 1832. A painting of Robert Harrison Junior hangs in the vestry of Temple Sowerby church (photo available). The third son, John Brownrigg Harrison became assistant curate of the small church at Culgaith. Of the fourth son, James, described in Harrison’s will as ‘now in London’, it is noted ‘And I freely and heartily forgive him for all the grief and anxiety of mind he has caused me, and I hope God will forgive him also.’

He was also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Braithwaite, of Hawkshead

In his will he bequeaths to son Robert, along with his two globes, ‘my tenor fiddle’. (i.e. Violin), though much of the evidence of the tune book seems to suggest Harrison played the german/transverse flute.

In 1960 (15 Nov), R.H. Jeffery (deceased) is noted as having donated a clock for the church tower in memory of his great grandfather, Rev. Robert Harrison. I imagine that for this to be his great-grandfather, this would have referred to Robert Junior (d.1862)

(passing note: in the Temple Sowerby Directory of 1829, where Rev Robert Harrison is listed as Curate, there is also listed John Brownrigg, Currier. There is also a George Harrison, joiner and cabinet maker.)

Barry Callaghan, 2006.

Index (Includes alternative titles)

12th of August. RH.132, The
1st Quick Step 42nd Reg't. RH.253
2nd Quick Step 15th Reg't. RH.261
2nd Quick Step 30th Reg't. RH.271
2nd Quick Step 42nd Reg't. RH.254
42nd Reg't Welcome Home Again. RH.361, The
Air by Pleyel. RH.379
Air in L'Offronde et Terpsichord. RH.376
Air in Peeping Tom of Coventry.2voices RH.408
Allen Goose Fair. RH.029
Allenheads Hill. RH.336
Alstone Slow March. RH.163
Amatun. RH.303
Amusements of the Town. RH.345, The
And Are Ye Sure.2voices RH.404
Anderson's Hornpipe. RH.500
Andrew Carey. RH.057
Annan Polka.(incomplete) The RH.512
Ap Shenkin. RH.010
Ashleys Hornpipe. RH.448
Astley's Flag. RH.449
Auld Rob the Laird. RH.150
Austrian's Retreat.2voices RH.431, The
Bab at the Bowster. RH.205
Back of the Change. RH.386
Bad Fire. RH.141, A
Balanafag. RH.059
Balloon. RH.305
Banks of Allen. RH.098, The
Banks of the Dee. RH.101
Batchelors of Ev'ry Station. RH.298
Bath Medley. RH.048, The
Battle of the Nile.2voices RH.428, The
Be Gone Dull Care.4voices. RH.365
Blanchard's Hornpipe. RH.395
Bonniest Lass of aw the World,With Vars. RH.076
Bonny Annie. RH.157
Bonny Bell. RH.140
Bonny Jane. RH.084
Bonny Pit Laddie. RH.351, The
Braes of Angus. RH.276, The
Braes of Marr. RH.358, The
Bred's of Marr. RH.121
British Grenadiers. RH.171
Broad Hole. RH139
Bugle March Quick. RH.031, The
Bung Your Eye. RH.186
Buy a Broom. RH.510
Caledonian Hunt. RH.453
Cameronian's Rant. RH.243
Cameron's Got his Wife again.2voices. RH.008
Campbells are Coming. RH.189, The
Can Ye Sew Cushions. RH.396
Captive Waltz. RH.107, The
Care Thou Canker. RH.160
Carlen[?] is your Daughter Ready. RH.211
Carlton House. RH.383
Catch for Three Flutes.2voices RH.456
Cawler Herring. RH.166
Celebrated French Air.2voices RH.405
Celebrated Ger.Flute Solo in Vauxhalls Symphony. RH.387
Chantreuse. RH.414, The
Chantreuse. RH.432, The
Charles Street Bank. RH.227
Charlie Stuart. RH.142
Chilling O Guiry with Variations. RH.016
City of Paris.2voices RH.064, The
Col.Arch'd Campbell's Quick Step. RH.282
Col.Howard's March. RH.497
College Hornpipe. RH.479
Come Ashore Jolly Tar. RH.295
Come hap me with thy Pettycoat. RH.296
Come Hap Me with Thy Pettycoat. RH.327
Copenhagen Waltz. RH.122, The
Cork Leg. RH.509, The
Cornish Quick March.2voices RH.050
Corporal. RH.184, The
Countess of Eglington's Delight. RH.079, The
Countess of Sutherland's Reel. RH.153
Crazy Jane. RH.120
Cumberland Militia Quick Step. RH.499, The
Cumberland Rangers Troop. RH.498, The
Cupids Recruiting Sergeant. RH.239
Dainty Beesom Maker. RH.256, The
Dance in Laura & Lenza.2voices RH.460
Dance in Peggy's Law[?]2voices. RH.045
Dance in the Prior Claim. RH.436
Dark Tower.2voices RH.437, The
Das Kinget is Heulich. RH.481
Davy Davy Nick Nack,aka. RH.331
Dead March in Saul.2voices RH.442
De'ils Dead. RH.112
Del Caro's Hornpipe. RH.027
Delight of the Men of Duffi. RH.415, The
Downfall of Paris. RH.427, The
Dragoon's Slow March. RH.507, The
Drink to me Only With Thine Eyes.2voices RH.065
Drummer. RH.260, The
Duchess of Atholl's Strathspey. RH.143, The
Ducks Dang o'er my Dadie. RH.224, The
Duett by Pleyel.2voices. RH.411
Duetto.2voices RH.451
Duke of Glosester's March.2voices RH.070
Duke of Gloucester's Quick March. RH.187, The
Duke of Gordon's Birth Day. RH.096, The
Duke of York. RH.056
Duke of York's March. RH.055, The
Duke of York's New March.2voices RH.430, The
Duke of York's Troop. RH.058
Dumb Glutton. RH.263, The
Dunbarton Drums. RH.075
Duncan Grey with Variations. RH.148
Dunkeld House. RH.344
Dusty Miller. RH.170, The
Earl Morris's Farewell to Scotland. RH.368
Earl's Favourite. RH.503
East Lincoln Quick Step. 2voices RH.068, The
Egyptian Festival. RH.401, The
Errico. RH.337
Fairies Advance. 2voices RH.043, The
Fairies Dance.2voices. RH.042, The
Farewell. RH.297, The
Favourite French Air with Variations. RH.400, A
Female Rake. RH.231, The
Fife Hunt. RH.423, The
For a' That and a' That. RH.210
French Air. RH.452
French Air.2voices RH.459
French Hornpipe. RH.340, A
Garry Owen. RH.516
Garthlands. RH.420
General Graham's Victory. RH.138
Gen'l Bonaparte's March. RH.461
Gen'l Washingtons March. RH.392
Gentle Ann. RH.213
German Airs.2voices RH.074
Gie me a Lass wi'a Lump o' Land. RH.300
Gloomy Winter's Night. RH.482, The
Go to the ... and Shake Yourself. RH.371
Goby O. RH.390, The
Grace's Farewell. RH.288
Gramachree Molly. RH.465
Grand March by T.Thompson. RH.355
Grand March. RH.399
Grand March...2voices RH.407
Grand Parade. RH.183, The
Grand Slow March. RH.291
Green Grow the Rashis (with Vars.). RH.426
Green Sleaves. RH.250
Grenadiers New Slow March.2voices. RH.061
Grinders. RH.416, The
Had the Lass Till I Win at Her. RH.219
Hamilton's Rant. RH.471
Handel's Water Piece. RH.165
Hard Times. RH.131
Harvest Home. RH.492, The
Haste to the Wedding. RH.104
Haunted Tower. RH.444, The
Hay Makers. RH.221, The
Hearts of Oak. RH.154
Heres a Health to all Good Lasses. RH.304
Hibernia. RH.040
Highland Laddie. RH.216
Highland Laddie. RH.480
Highland Laddie. RH.495, The
Highland Strathspey. RH.357, The
Highlandman Kiss'd his Mother. RH.233
Highway to Dublin. RH.223, The
Hon'ble Mrs. Scott's Reel. RH.145
Honey Moon. RH.457.5, The
Hornpipe. RH.313
Hornpipe. RH.323, A
Horse & Away to the New Market. RH.342
How Imperfect is Expression. RH.082
How Sweet in the Woodlands.2voices RH.454
Humours of Glen with Variations. RH.147
Hungarian Schottische.2voices RH.514
I Can No Longer Stifle??. RH.052
I'd Rather Have a Piece Than a Kiss of my Jo. RH.204
I'll Never Leave Thee Laddie. RH.020
I'll Touzle Your Kerchy. RH.194
In My Cottage Near a Wood.2voices RH.044
Irish Air RH.377
Irish Air. RH.378
Irish Lilt. RH.275
Irish Washerwoman. RH.347, The
Irish Wedding. RH.051, The
Irishman. RH.124, The
Isle of Skie. RH.391, The
Italian March. RH.034, The
J.Forster Esq'rs Favourite. RH.489
Jacks Alive. RH.330
Jackson's Morning Brush. RH.188
Jenny Dang the Weaver. RH.384
Jenny Nettles. RH.382
Jennys Baw Bee. RH.364
Jessy the Flower of Dumblane. RH.033
Jo?and no Jo? RH.403
Jocky to the Fair. RH.208
John de Paris. RH.359
John the Badengond. RH.299
Keel Row. RH.352, The
Kildenny Willy. RH.490
King of the Cattie. RH.418, The
Kiss me fast,my Mother is Coming. RH.146
Kiss me Sweetly. RH.240
L Horae's [?] Welcome to L'd RH.455
La Belle Alliance Waltz. RH.117
La Chasse.2voices RH.046
La Clara. RH.115
La Demoiselle. RH.234
La Hollandaise Waltz. RH.114
La Honorine. RH.116
La Nouvelle Anglaise. RH.287
La Petite Nanette. RH.118
La Pipe De Tabac.2voices RH.062
La Promenade. RH.200
La Romenella. RH.440
Ladies Play Thing. RH.180, The
Lads of Dunse. RH.197, The
Lads of the Village. RH.178, The
Lady Charlotte's Delight. RH.246
Lady Cholmondly Waltz. RH.389
Lady Homes' Favourite. RH.168
Lady Mary Ramsay's Reel. RH.417
Lady Nelsons Reel. RH.380
Lady of the Lake. RH.172, The
Lady Shaftesbury's Fancy. RH.469
Lango Lee,New Way. RH.199
Lango Lee. RH.190
Larietts Fancy. RH.038
Lass and the Money's all my Own. RH.093, The
Lass if I Come Near You. RH.284
Lass of Ballockingle[?]RH.022, The
Lass of Peatie's Mill.2voices RH.069, The
Lasses of Stewart Town. RH.127, The
Leathern Bottle. RH.339, The
Lee Riggs with variations. RH.485
Leouk??. RH.381, The
Lewis the 18th. RH.072
Liberty to the Sailors. RH.037
Light and Airy. RH.292
Little Linnings in Love Who is He. RH.413
Little Peggy's Love. RH.409
Liverpool Hornpipe,aka. RH.077
Livery Yeomanry. RH.060
Lochaber No More. RH.174
Long Room of Scarborough. RH.259, The
Lord Cathcart. RH.164
Lord Glencairn's Quick Step. RH.283
Lord How's Hornpipe. RH.434
Lord Kelly's Reel. RH.286
Lord McDonald's Reel. RH.290
Lord Nelson's Hornpipe. RH.462
Lord Seymour's Reel. RH.393
Lorny?Mr. Wotten. RH.463
Love Waltz. RH.504, The
Lovely Lass to a Friar Came. RH.255, A
Lucy Campbell. RH.099
Lucy Campbell's Delight. RH.081
M....[?] Farewell. RH.316
Madam Hellgsbey's Dance in Barbara Allen. RH.412
Madame Hillisberg's Scotch Dance. RH.445
Mad'e Catalani's Favourite. RH.419
Maggie Lawder with Variations. RH.017
Magpie. RH.111, The
Major Jas.Campbell's Quick Step. RH.265
Major Montgomery's Quick Step. RH.248
Malta March. RH.083, The
March de Gens d'Armes. RH.264
March in the Battle of Prague. RH.289
March. RH.134, A
March. RH.308, A
March. RH.312, A
March. RH.329, A
Marine's March as a Duett.2voices. RH.410, The
Marionett. RH.241
Marquess of Huntley's Strathspey. RH.130, The
Marriage Promenade ...[?]. RH.406, The
McDonald's Quick Step. RH230
Merry Dancers. RH.268, The
Miners of Wiclow. RH.191, The
Miss Bailey's March.2voices RH.067
Miss Bridges Strathspey. RH.369
Miss Brown's Strathspey. RH.317
Miss Charlotte Stirling's Jig. RH.472
Miss Douglass Strathspey. RH.039
Miss Eleanora Campbell of Kilbride's Reel. RH.467
Miss Fancy Hornpipe . RH.026
Miss Forbes Farewell to Banff. RH.338
Miss Homes Favourite. RH.354
Miss Johnson's Reel. RH.089
Miss Katie Hall's Reel. RH.225
Miss L.Montgomery of Skermorlies S'spey. RH.151
Miss Menzie of Culdare's Strathspey. RH.159
Miss Ramsay's Reel. RH.226
Miss Stewarts Reel. RH.424
Momfrina. RH.090
Money in Both Pockets. RH.103
Money Musk. RH.446
Moon & Seven Stars. RH.182, The
Morgan Rattler. RH.173
Morgiana in England. RH.294
Morgiana in Ireland. RH.035
Mother Goose. RH.054
Mr. F.H.Bindon's March. RH.370
Mr's Browns Hornpipe. RH.502
Mrs McLead. RH.135
Mr's Murray of Abercanny's Strathspey. RH.438
My Lady. RH.484
My Lodging is on the Cold Ground. RH.249
My Love is Breathing. RH.162
My Nanie O. RH.394
My Peggy is a Young Thing. RH.258
My Wifes a Wanton Wee Thing. RH.222
Nancy Dawson. RH.201
Negro Girls Waltz. RH.326
Neil Gow's Farewell to Whiskey. RHG.334
Neil Gow's Lamentation for Abervanny. RH.161.
Netley Abbey. RH.447
New Castle Slow March. RH.494
New Claret. RH.095
New Rigged Ship. RH.023, The
Newcastle Association March. RH.325
Nightingale. RH.028, The
Norrickystie. RH.266
O Dear,What Can The Matter Be. RH.487
O Nanny Wilt Thou Fly With Me. RH.486
O'er Boggie. RH.169
Of Age Tomorrow. RH.397
Of O the Arts Vo(?). RH.301
Off She Goes. RH.458
Old English Gentleman. RH.508
Old Towler. RH.341
Over the Water to Charley. RH.343
Oyster Wive's Rant. RH.181, The
Paddy Cary. RH.097
Paddy O Carrol. RH.092
Paddy O Raferty. RH.102
Paddy Whack. RH.366
Paddy's Own Sweet Little Island of Green. RH.362
Pandean Dance in Tekeli. RH.094
Parson in his Boots. RH.251, The
Parson in the Suds. RH.257, The
Patrick O Hilly. RH.311
Pea Straw. RH.129
Peacock Hornpipe,aka. RH.128, The
Pipers Frolic. RH.348
Pleasant Reel. RH.030
Polygon. RH279, The
Pompey Run Away. RH.272
Popular German Air. RH.464, A
Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg's Waltz. RH.110
Prince's Welcome to the Isle of Skye. RH.155, The
Princess Charlotte.2voices RH.353, The
Princess of Wales Hornpipe. RH.450, The
Prussian Waltz. RH.126
Push About the Jorum. RH.245
Quakers Wife RH.024, The
Queen of Hearts. RH.185, The
Queen's March. 2voices RH.435, The
Queensberry House. RH.238
Quick March 8th Reg't. RH.218
Quick March. RH.032, A
Quick March. RH.207
Quick Step 15th Reg't. RH.235
Quick Step 30th Reg't. RH.270
Quick Step 37th Reg't. RH.229
Quick Step 43rd Reg't. RH.242
Quick Step 4th Reg't. RH.232
Quick Step 71st Reg't. RH.212
Quick Step Fuzileers. RH.237
Quick Step Old Buffs. RH.209
Quick Step,25th Reg't. RH.177
Quick Step. RH.321, A
Quick Step. RH.363
Quick Step. RH.374
QuickStep,Grand March,T.Thompson. RH.356, The
Ranting Roaring Highlandman. RH.244, The
Recovery. RH.049, The
Recruiting Officer. RH.195, The
Reel. RH.109, A
Reel. RH.123, A
Richie's Hornpipe. RH.373
Rondeau,Opera of the Zauberflote.2voices RH.443
Rondo by Mr.Hook. RH.385
Rondo in Blue Beard. RH.376
Rondo in the Overture to Rossina.2voices RH.053
Rondo in the Turnpike Gate2voices RH.047
Rondo.2voices RH.439
Rondo.2voices. RH.483
Royal Boarding School. RH.149, The
Royal Glasgow Volunteer's Farewell. RH.247, The
Royal Lancashire Quick Step. RH.388
Royal Quick Step. RH.421, The
Royal Quick Step. RH.457
Royalists March. RH.335
Royan's Rant. RH.468
Roy's Wife. RH.073
Russian Dance. RH.086, The
Sae Braely as I was Kissed Yestre'en. RH.277
Sailor Laddie. RH.156, The
Sailors all at the Bar. RH.091, The
Sailors Rant. RH274
Saint Patrick's Day in the Morning. RH.198
Salarza. RH.071
Sam Jones. RH.280
Savage Dance. RH.105
Saw away 'lias Scrape away. RH.302
Saw Ye Nae My Peggy. RH.158
Saxonies Hornpipe.2voices RH.513
Schottische.2voices. RH.515
Scotch Air. RH.066, A
Scotch Air.2voices RH.402
Scots Fanny. RH.175
Scots Royal's Quick March. RH.278
Scottie Cam O'er The Border,with variations. RH.488
Second Batt'n Royals Quick Step. RH.281
Shantruish. RH273
Sicilian March. RH.025
Sir Edwards of Woodlands Jigg. RH.041
Sir John Whiteford's Strathspey. RH.144
Slack's Fancy. RH.125
Slave. RH.491, The
Slow March. 2voices RH.477, A
Slow March. 2voices RH.478, A
Slow March. RH.501
Smash the Windows. RH.088
Soldier's Dream. RH.496, The
Soldiers Joy. RH.202, The
Soldiers Return. RH.349, The
Soldiers Return. RH.470, The
Speed the Plough. RH.367
Spring Gardens Hornpipe,aka. RH.360
St. Helena. RH.119
Stoney Steps Hornpipe,aka. RH.309
Strathspey. RH.346, A
Strathspey. RH.505
Stuart Robertson's Rant. RH.152
Stumpie. RH.137
Sukey Bids Me. RH.262
Sweet Molly. RH.252
Sylph. RH.100, The
Tarry Wool. RH.473
Tars of the Victory. RH.019, The
Tartan Plaid. RH.113
Tekeli. RH.087
Thro' the Lang Muir. RH.214
Thro' the Wood Spinnet. RH.133
Tink a Tink. RH.372
Tom Tullus's Hornpipe. RH.206
Trip to Brussels. RH.108
Trip to Inchcomb. RH.136, A
Trip to the Cottage. RH.014, A
Troop. RH.080, A
Troopers Quick Step. RH.217, The
Tulloch Gorum. RH.228
Turkish March. RH.192
Union Slow March. RH.021
Untitled Hornpipe. RH.310
Untitled RH.314
Untitled RH.315
Untitled RH.318
Untitled RH.319
Untitled RH.320
Untitled RH.324
Untitled RH.328
Untitled RH.466
Up Wi't Aily Now. RH.203
Valencienne's Slow March.2voices RH.433
Veni Vecchio. RH.398
Vicar and Moses. RH.506
Voulez Vous Dansez Mademoiselle. RH.167
Vulcan's Cave. RH.493
Waltz. RH.306
Waltz. RH.307
Waltz.2voices RH.476, A
Warkworth Castle. RH.220
Waterloo Dance. RH.106, The
Waterloo. RH.322
Weatherall's Quick Step. RH.018
Web's Quick Step. RH.333
Web's Slow March. RH.332
We'll gang nae muir to yon Town. RH.215
Welsh Air. RH.441, A
West Fencibles Quick Step. RH.285
Western Isles Air. RH.474, A
Westminster Slow March.2voices RH.429, The
West's Hornpipe. RH.085
When a Man's a Little Bit Poorly. RH.511
Where Will our Goodman Lye. RH.236
White Cockade. RH.176, The
White Jack. RH.196
Widow Wadman. RH.293
Widows Rant. RH.193, The
Wilkes's Wriggle. RH.267
Willie Was a Wanton Wag.With Vars. RH.078
Within a Mile of Edinburgh. RH.475
W'n I was a Younker. RH.350
Wonder. RH.269, The
Wood Nunwich Fair. RH.179
Wounded Hussar. RH.036, The
Wragg's Duetto the 12th.2voices. RH.007
Wragg's Duetto the 1st.2voices. RH.006
Wragg's Duetto the 20th,A March.2voices. RH.005
Wragg's Duetto the 28th.2voices. RH.015
Wragg's Duetto the 30th.A March.2voices. RH.013
Wragg's Duetto the 38th Rondo. 2voices. RH.012
Wragg's Duetto the 43rd.2voices. RH.009
Wragg's Duetto the 57th.2voices. RH.011
Wragg's Lesson the 10th.2voices. RH.004
Wragg's Lesson the 7th.2voices. RH.001
Wragg's Lesson the 8th.2voices. RH.002
Wragg's Lesson the 9th.2voices. RH.003
Ye Banks and Breas of Bonny Done.2voices RH.063
Yellow Hair'd Laddie. RH.422, The