Annotation:Fourth of June (The)

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FOURTH OF JUNE, THE. AKA and see "Miss MacDonald’s (4)." English, Scottish; Country Dance Tune (cut time). E Dorian. Standard tuning (fiddle). The Fourth of June was the birthday of King George III (1738-1820), once a day of celebration. This popular reel goes by a variety of titles (see note for the alternate title, above), although most of the titles have to do with Scotswoman Flora MacDonald, who was reputed to have given King George's nemesis, Bonnie Prince Charlie, refuge after the defeat at Culloden in 1746. In addition to the "Fourth of June" printing by John Walsh, the melody can be found in Longman and Broderip's Compleat Collection of 200 Favorite Country Dances (London, 1781, p. 52) under the title "Miss McDonald's Reel" (see Annotation:Miss MacDonald’s (4)), with "Fourth of June" given as an alternate title.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Walsh (Caledonian Country Dances).

Recorded sources:

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