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Discussions => Tunes => Topic started by: Bob Ellis on February 17, 2017, 01:46:09 PM

Title: Little MS
Post by: Bob Ellis on February 17, 2017, 01:46:09 PM
Whilst researching the origins of Sam Fawcett's version of Castles in the Air, I came across a reference to the Little Manuscript (c.1775), which I think came from Dumfriesshire. I assume that Little was the name of the writer of the MS, since Little is a common name in that area, but several hours of Googling has uncovered no further details about this MS. Does anybody know Little's first name, where he lived or anything else about him or his MS?
Title: Re: Little MS
Post by: Hugh Taylor on February 17, 2017, 02:35:33 PM
Bob,
Have you tried asking Chris Partington?
Hugh
Title: Re: Little MS
Post by: Bob Ellis on February 17, 2017, 07:59:41 PM
Good idea, Hugh. I might have thought of it if I wasn't so full of cold at the moment. I'll contact him tomorrow.
Title: Re: Little MS
Post by: Jack Campin on February 17, 2017, 08:58:33 PM
Something at the back of my mind says Little was a she and it was a song manuscript, maybe known to Burns.

Castles in the Air is ultimately Bonny Kate of Edinburgh, which first turns up in late 17th century England.
Title: Re: Little MS
Post by: Bob Ellis on February 17, 2017, 10:48:31 PM
Thanks Jack. My research reveals that the tune used for James Ballantine's dialect poem Castles in the Air, published in 1843, already existed under the title Bonny Jean of Aberdeen, or sometimes Bonny Jane. The earliest reference I have found was in the manuscript of Patrick Cumming of Edinburgh (1723-4). If you have an earlier reference to the tune under a different name, I would be interested to hear about it.
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