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Black Wedder’s White Tail

Title

Alternative Title

Earball geal a mhuilt dhuibh

Artist

Bob Low

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Information

This tune is only known from the Campbell Canntaireachd. The title refers to the story in which a party of MacGregors killed and ate a wedder (castrated ram) belonging to the Laird of Luss, and this led to feud between the Colqhouns and MacGregors, one event of which was the battle known as The Rout of Glenfruin.

Judges Note 2012 & 2023

An attractive, fairly straightforward tune with no technical difficulties. There are clear similarities with The MacGregors' Salute. The only source is the Campbell Canntaireachd, so the timings and cadence placements are those thought appropriate by the editors of PS 9. Other timings and cadence placements are possible. For example, the couplets shown as even quavers C/A and B/A in the ground and thumb variations might be played either with the first note cut, or, as in The MacGregors' Salute, with the first note lengthened and the second cut.

It was felt that this is quite an angry tune and would suit a fairly robust treatment. No crunluath a mach is indicated in the source documents but the tune does lend itself to the inclusion of one.

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Available in:

PS Book 11