Annotation:Robertson's Reel

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ROBERTSON'S REEL. Shetland, Reel. A Major (Songer): G Major (Callaghan). Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Composed by the late Shetland fiddler, teacher, collector and composer biography:Tom Anderson (1910-1991).

The tune was quite popular among Portland, Oregon, contra dance musicians (who play it in the key of ‘A’) for a while. It has also gained some currency in England, where it was popularized by Northumbrian shepherds Willy Taylor, Joe Hutton and Will Atkinson (played in the key of ‘G’). Perhaps titled in honor of Scottish fiddler Arthur S. Robertson?

Additional notes

Source for notated version: - Portland contra dance musicians Christy Keevil via George Penk via Dennis Rothrock [Songer].

Printed sources : - Callaghan (Hardcore English), 2007; p. 47. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; p. 168.

See also listing at:
Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [1]

Recorded sources: - Leader LED2052, “Shetland Fiddlers” (1973). Philo 1051, Boys of the Lough - "Good Friends, Good Music" (1977). Smithsonian Folkways ‎SFW CD 40473, Willie Taylor - "Northumberland Rant: Traditional Music from the Edge of England" (1999. Various artists). David Surette - "The Green Mandolin."