Bruce and Nigel -- Thanks so much for the info. I appreciate very much your diligence in tracking down the Thompson's info. as it nails the issue. "Miss Gunning's" was apparently written in honor of one of two sisters from Roscommon, who came from down-on-their-luck gentry but who parlayed their renowned beauty into fortunate marriages: one married an earl and became Lady Coventry, the other married a duke and became Duchess of Hamilton and Argyle. They were the toast of London in the 1750's (which fits nicely with the tune's appearance in the Thompson collection). Irish beggers would thank tippers with the phrase "May the Luck of the Gunning's be with ye."
Alas, beauty fades, and one of the sisters ended up poisoning herself with lead-based cosmetics applied in an ever-heavier manner. Regards, Andrew Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
