Annotation:Kilwinning Papingo Waltz (The)

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KILWINNING PAPINGO WALTZ, THE. Scottish, Waltz (3/8 time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). ABA. The curious word Popingo(e) is explained by Robert Forsyth, in his The Beauties of Scotland (1805).

In some measure connected with this abbey is a company or society of archers, which is said to have existed here as far back as 1488; at least this date is asserted in a minute in their records dated September 1688, which is signed by a number of gentlemen. Archery is practiced here annually, usually in the month of June. We have said that the institution is connected with the monastery. This is rendered probable from the sorts of archery which have been used from time immemorial. It is of two species. The one is an elevated mark, called a popingoe. The popingoe is a bird known in heraldry. It is on this occasion cut out in wood, fixed on the end of a pole, and placed 120 feet high on the steeple of the monastery. The archer who shoots down this mark is honored with the title of 'Captain of the Popingoe'. He is master of the ceremonies of the succeeding year, sends cards of invitation to the ladies, gives them a ball and supper, and transmits his honours to posterity by a medal, with suitable devices, appended to a silver arrow. [p. 405]

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Manson (Hamilton’s Universal Tune Book vol. 1), 1854; p. 101.

Recorded sources:

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