Annotation:Christchurch Bells
X:1 T:Christ Church Bells in Oxon M:C| L:1/8 N:"Longways for as many as will." B:John Walsh – Complete Country Dancing-Master, Volume the Fourth B: (London, 1740, No. 150) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:C c3c c2c2|c2c2c2e2|d2c2c2B2|G6G2| E2G2C2G2|c2F2G2 gf|e2a2def2|e3d c4|| e3e e2e2|e3e e2g2|f2ef d2c2|d2G2d3d|e2d2e2d2| e2d2d2cB|c2A2d2B2|c3d e4||gg gg g2 gg|g2 gg G2| A3c c2d2|B6AB|c2B2c2B2|c2d2B2AG|G2F2G3G|C8||
CHRISTCHURCH BELLS. AKA - "Carillon d'Oxford (Le)," "Christ Church Bells in Oxon." English, Country Dance Tune (2/2 time). C Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). ABC. The tune was first published in 1679 by Playford in the supplement to the 6th edition of the Dancing Master (London), and was retained in all subsequent editions of the long-running series. Christchurch Bells are "in Oxon" (i.e. Oxford) and the tune is described as a three part round. "Christ Church Bells" also appears in John Walsh's Compleat Country Dancing-Master (London), editions of 1718, 1731 and 1754, and in the ballad operas The Village Opera (1729), Polly (1729), Bay's Opera (1730), and Chambermaid (1730). It also appears in the 1790 music manuscript collection of London musician Thomas Hammersley.
The first mention of Christ Chuch bells, Oxford, was in 1546, when the Diocesan see moved from Osney Abbey to Christ Chuch, bringing along the bells. Great Tom, the loudest bell, was recast by Christopher Hodson (a bell-founder from London) in 1680 an event that was perhaps the inspiration for the title. Oxford was the the 'second capital' of England, and the natural residence of the court in times of plague, and, during the English Civil War, the seat of the Royalist government. King Charles lodged at Christchurch and the Queen at Merton. Both were skilled dancers, with the Queen being particularly passionate.
