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Lament for Captain Donald MacKenzie

Title

Alternative Title

Cumha a' Chaiptein Domhnall Mac Coinnich

Artist

Cameron Drummond

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Information

This is tune was written by John MacKay (1767-1848). Donald MacKenzie was believed to have drowned when the paddle steamer Comet II sank half a mile off-shore, after colliding with the Ayr near Gourock in 1825. The Comet went down in 3 - 4 minutes, killing 62 of its 80 or so passengers. At the moment the accident took place, it is said, the passengers were dancing “and telling and listening to diverting tales”. The story goes that the Ayr, instead of lending any assistance, turned round and went off to Greenock, leaving them to their fate.

It has been recorded in the manuscripts of Angus and John MacKay, and also by Duncan Campbell. It has been published in Ceol Mor and in David Glen's Ancient Piobaireachd

Judges Note 2012

An attractive long tune with some similarity to the Lament for Donald Ban MacCrimmon. The notes in PS 15 cover the main points of interest. David Glen has a thumb variation, and Glen and Ceol Mor omit variation 2 and its doubling.

For those who play a taorluath movement from low G with the D grace note on a second low G, rather than coming to low A with the D grace note, such a movement can be played in bar 3 of the first and third lines of variation II.

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Available in:

PS Book 15

Angus MacKay Manuscript Captain Donald Mackenzie's Lament
John MacKay Manuscript Captain Donald MacKenzies Lament 22
Kintarbert (Angus MacKay) Manuscript Lament for Captain Donald MacKenzie 38
David Glen's Book Lament Captain Donald MacKenzie
Angus MacKay Specimens of Canntaireachd Nameless