 |
Willie's Drown'd at Gamry slow air (traditional)
The Right Honble Lady Saltoun's
strathspey & reel
(William Christie) |
|
William Christie (1778-1849) was born and lived in Cuminestown, Aberdeenshire. He was a violinist and teacher of dancing.  In 1820 he published A Collection of Strathspeys, Reels, Hornpipes, Waltzes, &c. Arranged as Medleys for the Harp, Piano Forte, Violin, and Violincello. The majority of the tunes in the collection are Christie's compositions but he also included many traditional tunes and airs, some unusual and not found elsewhere. His son William Christie Jr. followed in his father's footsteps, publishing Traditional Ballad Airs (vols. 1-2) in 1876 and 1881. Willie's Drown'd at Gamry (from William Sr.'s collection) must be related to Child Ballad #215, Rare Willie Drowned in Yarrow, or, The Water o Gamrie, although it is not the usual tune for the ballad. |
