Annotation:Rob Roy (1)
X:1 T:Old Strathspey T:Rob Roy [1] M:C L:1/8 R:Strathspey S:Kerr - Merry Melodies, vol. 3, No. 157 Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:F c|f2 (f>a) f<f f>a|f>ag>f e<cc>e|f<f f>a f>ag>a|b<d g>e (f2f):| |:c|A<c c<f A<c c<f|d<B B<d c>AG>B|A<c c<f d<B B<d|c>BA>G F/F/F F:|
ROB ROY [1]. AKA and see "Old Strathspey." Scottish, Strathspey (4/4 time). F Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABBCC'. Rob Roy Macgregor was a famous robber chief of the Highlands who was born around 1660, the second son of Colonel MacGregor of Glengyle. Rob Roy was a landed man, son of a government officer, who was once a legitimate cattle dealer or drover. He had the misfortune to fall into debt and owed large sums of money to the Duke of Montrose, and when the latter confiscated Rob Roy's lands as forfeiture for his debt, the Macgregor became an outlaw. For over 30 years, in true Robin Hood fashion, Rob Roy and his followers waged war with the Duke, robbing, rustling cattle, and stealing grain (which was rent-in-kind to the Duke). Neil (1991) says:
He lived to a ripe old age and when visited by a former enemy on his deathbed, he insisted that he be fully armed with claymore, dirk and pistols, as he did not wish to face him 'defenceless and unarmed.' Soon after he asked to let the piper play 'Cha Till Mi Tuilleadh' (I Shall Return No More) and he is said to have died before the tune was finished.
Rob Roy is buried in Balquhidder Churchyard.
