X:1
T:Irish Hero, The, or Blakeney for ever
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
B:John Hinton - Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure (October 1756, p. 184)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:Bb
B3 DEF|GAB cde|dfd cec|BdB AGF|
B3 DEF|GAB cde|dcB AFA|B3 B,3:|
|:f3 bfd|e2f gec|d3 fdB|A2B cAF|
B3 DEF|GAB cde|dcB AFA|B3 B,3:|]
William Blakeney, 1st Baron Blakeney, by James Macardell, after Sir George Chalmers, mezzotint, published 1756 (1755)IRISH HERO, THE. AKA - "Blackney for ever." English, Jig and Country Dance Tune (6/8 time). B Flat Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). BB. The title refers to Irish-born William Blakeney, 1st Baron Blakeney, a military man who rose to the rank of Lieutenant General. He was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the British-held island of Menorca in 1748. When the Seven Years War with France began in April, 1756, Blakeney held the garrison at Fort St. Philip against the French (who occupied the rest the island) for 70 days until finally forced to surrender. Although others paid a high price for the debacle, Blakeney was held blameless in the later inquiry[1], and even heroic for his stand. By then, Blakeney was debilitated by the consequences of heavy drinking and retired to his County Limerick estates, where he died in 1761.
Additional notes
Printed sources : - John Hinton (The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure),October,1756, p. 184.
