VIDEO: Mick Archers The Chicago Rovers recording Atholl Highlanders, a classic Scottish march. The name Athole (or Atholl) derives from the Gaelic ath Fodla, generally translated as New Ireland, and stems from the first invasion of the northern land by the Irish tribe the Scots in the 7th century (Matthews, 1972). The tune, described sometimes as a Scottish warpipes melody, is dedicated to the private army of the Duke of Atholl, the last private army still legally existing (albeit on a token level) in the British Isles (Boys of the Lough). The original Athole Highlanders (and the ones associated with the tune) were the old 77th Highland Regiment, raised in 1778 and commanded by Colonel James Murray. Musically, the tune contains a characteristic melodic cliché in Scottish music in which a figure is followed by the same or a related figure on the triad one tone below or above. youtu.be/IJ1tox-adKo
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:41:59 +0000