SCOTTISH MUSIC.

Evening Star, Issue 4122, 13 May 1876, Page 4

SCOTTISH MUSIC.

y/=•».- ■■•:-;f».-T:-.. ■ ' " (From Enharmonxa) *or "Auld Lang Syne." This is the burden of a very old ditty, happily caught by Barns, and made the subject of a song Siich is. not merely Scotch, but belongs to e Common kindred of our race. Where is

it not song, and who can fail to be impressed by the exquisite touch. of nature in the words and the spirit of the melody ? After the terrible siege of Jellalabad, the few British soldiers who survived returned bearing with them the Oriental _ tyrant who had caused them such suffering and misery. On reaching the first military station they were welcomed as those whom their friends never expected to see again. All entertainment was given to them, at which their prisoner was present. After their repast, before parting,. this song of Home was sung. Every Scotchman, Engglishman, and Irishman, carried away with enthusiasm*, sprang from his seat, and natanding one foot on their chairs, the other on the table, all joined-hands and united in singing this sonot in true Scottish style. Among the number none was more enthusiMtiaand uproarious than the Rajah. The

■'"words.were unknown to him, but the power | ;of "the melody and the spirit of the singers made him for the time forget his sorrows and his altered circumstance. " .Never was there a more striking instance of tfce magic power of this song. The melody is an old Strathspey, pentatonic, and a fine example of how, by changing the time and expression, dance music becomes transformed into song. Much Scottish music bears this- douhle character—the contrast

being often very striking. "Who, for iri- , stance, would expect thajb one of the most spirited dances in Scotland, "The Ruffian's Kant," could be transformed into one of the most pathetic songs, 'Roy's Wife o' Aldi- , valochi" , "Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon." . No song written by the Bard of the Doon is more widely associated with his name and memory than this simple lyric. The heroine was a beautiful maiden of Oarrick, in Ayrshire, whose lover proved false to her. The sad story touched the chords of the poet's heart, and called forth these exquisately ■■' delicate verses. The tune, "The Caledonian's Hunt," is singularly fitted to bring ; out the deep pathos of the words; it is so well known as one of the characteristic songs of Scotland, but over the whole world. "Thte-Pibroch o'Donuil Dhtr, or, Black Donald/' otherwise Clanna na Cheile," " The Gathering of the Clans," is one of the oldest, and, most noted pibrochs of the Highlanders.