Annotation:Shewglie's Harp
X:0 T: No Score C: The Traditional Tune Archive M: K: x
SHEWGLIE’S HARP. Scottish. The tune can be found in the Angus Fraser manuscript. The title refers to Alexander Grant, of the family of the Grants of Shewglie, born about 1675. Shewglie has been variously described as a plyer of violin and pipers, violin and harp, and harp and fiddle, and was known as a poet as well. His branch of the Grants were supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie, to whom he composed a poem of welcome in 1745. Though the elderly man did not take part in the battle of Culloden, he was denounced by loyal members of the Grant family and was imprisoned in London. Despite a petition on his behalf, he remained in captivity until 1746, when he contracted a fever and died, though his son and a minister who had been imprisoned with them were allowed to return to their homes.