Annotation:Free Masons (2)

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 FREE MASONS [2]. AKA and see "Clegg Lane," "Come Let Us Prepare." English, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB. The second strain bears some resemblance at the end to "Irish Washerwoman (The)." A tune by this title appears listed in William Vickers' 1770 Northumbrian dance manuscript, but is one of the "missing tunes." According to Henry Evans (Masonry and Magic in the 18th Century), Freemansonry in 18th century England was frankly humanitarian and convivial, with business being swiftly concluded the assembly thereafter smoking churchwarden pipes, emptying bowls of bishop, singing songs and glees, and speechifying. Although the English Masons traced their roots rather benignly to the medieval building guilds, on the Continent the order took on a much more mystical and sinister aspect, with claims attempting to tie it to ancient and obscure Egyptian mysteries.  Source for notated version:  Printed sources: Trim (Thomas Hardy), 1990; No. 34.  Recorded sources:

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