Annotation:Good Wife Admit the Wanderer

Back to 

 GOOD WIFE ADMIT THE WANDERER (A Bhean an taigh nach leig thu steach am fear a tha air fògairt). Scottish, Slow Air (2/4 time). B Flat Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. "This air has reference to Prince Charles in wandering from the place of his defeat to the Isle of Skye (Skye)." "This air has an interesting incident attached to it. Prince Charles is known to have sustained extreme hardship in wandering on his way from the place of his defeat {i.e. Culloden} to the Isle of Skye, often remaining all night, in the cold month of April, in the open air, without approaching house or cabin. Overpowered with an effort to which he must have been so unaccustomed, it was necessary to send one of his servants to entreat for quarters. From the hesitation and impatience of this individual, anxious yet afraid to communicate his request to the goodwife, and uncertain but she might accept of a bribe in case of speedy prusuit; the air at first represents him as scarcely whispering his request in broken sentances; but, on finding they were likely to be well received, hi acquires more confidence, and the second part seems to picture a composure, however temporary, at their success" (Fraser). The tune was probably written by Fraser (Alburger).  Source for notated version:  Printed sources: Fraser (The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles), 1816/1874; No. 122, p. 48. Hunter (Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 51. MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; p. 191.  Recorded sources: Lismore, Ron Gonella - "Fiddle Gems" (1976). Raven Records RR003, Seannachie - "Devil's Delight" (1991). Topic Records 12T279, James F. Dickie - "James F. Dickie's Delights: Scottish Fiddling in the Style of Scott Skinner" (1976. Originally recorded in the 1950's).

Back to