Annotation:Lord of the Isles
X:1 T:Lord of the Isles M:C L:1/16 R:Strathspey S:Kerr - Merry Melodies, vol. 4, No. 109 (c. 1880's) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:G d2|gg3 d3B G4 (G3F)|EA3 A3G FD3 D3d|gg3 d3B G4 (G3F)|E3A GFED (G4G2):| |:B2|dB3 g3f e3dc3B|cA3 a3g fd3 d3f|gg3 d3B c3dB3G|E3A GFED (G4G2):|
LORD OF THE ISLES. Scottish, Strathspey. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The Lords of the Isles, refers to the succession of rulers of the islands off the west coast of Scotland. They initially derived their power from their Norse-Gael ancestors, Gofraidh and Somerled, who first established themselves over Argyll and then went on to absorb the Norse-held Hebrides. Their descendants became Clan Dugall, Clan Donald and Clan Ruari (the latter of which were absorbed by the growing power of the Donalds). The MacDonalds developed into the dominant clan and their leader, the MacDonald, was known by the title Lord of the Isles. The clan's power peaked around the year 1400 after which the MacDonalds came into increasing conflict with the Scottish crown. By 1545 the power of the MacDonalds had been broken, and though they never completely lost all their status or land, other clans had by then filled the vacuum.
