Annotation:Duke of York (2) (The)

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DUKE OF YORK [2], THE. English, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The melody is unique to London publisher Charles and Samuel Thompson's 1765 country dance collection. The title perhaps refers to the then-toddler Prince Frederick (1763-1827), 'The Grand Old Duke of York', Commander in Chief of the British Army for much of the period of the late 18th /early 19th century wars with France and Napoleon. He was the younger brother of King George IV, and ignominiously regarded during his lifetime as a corrupt philanderer. Some melodic material from the first strain is used in "Coronation (The)."

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Thompson (Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, vol. 2), 1765; No. 120.

Recorded sources:

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