Annotation:Colonel Baird (1)
X:1 T:Colonel Baird [1] M:6/8 L:1/8 R:Jig Q:"Slowish" B:Gow - Fourth Collection of Strathspey Dances (1800) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:F c|(cf).c (cf).d|c2c ~c2d|(cA).F (BG).E|F2F ~F2c| (cf).c (cf).d|c2c ~c2d|(cA).F (BG).E|F3 F2:| |:B|{A/B/}c2c AFA|{c}B2B GEG|(FG).A (FG).A|{c}B2A G2B| {A/B/}c2c AFA|TB2B GEG|~F>GA (BG)E|F3 F2:||
COLONEL BAIRD [1]. AKA and see "Nae luck about the house when our goodwife's awa, "There’s nae luck about the house (3)." Scottish, Jig (6/8 time). F Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Composed by "the late Mrs. Oswald of Auchicruive" . In 1793 wealthy merchant Richard Oswald married the "incomparable" Louisa "Lucy" Johnston (c. 1760-1797), daughter of Wynne Johnston of Hilton-in-the-Merse; she was a celebrated, talented and accomplished beauty (for whom see note for “Miss Johnston of Hilton's Fancy”)
The title honors Sir James Gardiner Baird, who, in 1781, married Henrietta Johnson of Hilton, Lucy's sister. He succeeded to the title of 6th Baronet Baird, of Saughton Hall in 1771, just before he joined the 17th Foot with the rank of Ensign in 1772. Baird rose in rank to Lieutenant just as the American War of Independence broke out, and quickly gained promotion to Captain with the 71st Foot. He finally became Lieutenant-Colonel in 1796 with the 28th Light Dragoons, and he commanded the East Lothian Yeomanry Cavalry regiment from its embodiment in 1797.
