Circassian Circle

 CIRCASSIAN CIRCLE, THE. English, Scottish, Canadian; Reel or Country Dance. G Major (Kennedy, Raven): D Major (Howe, Jarman): A Major (Kerr, Martin, Sweet). Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Jarman's version somewhat different. The Circassian Circle is a country dance; in the Carmichael district of Lanarkshire, Scotland, around the turn of the 20th century (1900) it was always the first dance of the evening. The vehicle for the dance was usually the namesake melody followed by additional tunes at the same tempo, capped by a return to the original "Circassian Circle" melody. Canadians frequently have employed the tune "La Bastringue" to accompany it. Printed sources: Howe (1000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; p. 71. Jarman, 1944; p. 32 (appears as "The Circassion Circle"). Kennedy (Fiddlers Tune Book), vol. 1, 1951; No. 1, p. 1. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; No. 1, pg. 26. Martin (Traditional Scottish Music), 2002; p. 37. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; p. 165. Sweet (Fifer's Delight), 1964; p. 57. Recorded source: Tradition 2118, Jim MacLeod & His Band - "Scottish Dances: Jigs, Waltzes and Reels" (1979).

X:1 T:CC M:4/4 L:1/8 R:Country Dance Tune S:Howe - 1000 Jigs and Reels Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:D fe | dAfe d2f2 | dAfe d2f2 | eAgf e2g2 | eAgf e2g2 | dAfe d2f2 | dAfe d2f2 | efge cABc | d2f2d2 || z2 | fdag f2a2 | fdfa d'afd | eAgf e2g2 | efed ce a2 | fdag f2a2 | fdfa d'afd | cded cABc | d2f2d2 ||