[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
I had thought the ban was due to crop failures after Laki erupted catastrophically - but Napoleon is a likelier culprit with this date, 10 years after it quieted down again. John From: lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu [lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu] on behalf of Francis Wood [oatenp...@googlemail.com] Sent: 13 September 2011 17:54 To: NSP group Subject: [NSP] Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow The note accompanying the fine tune 'Farewell to Whisky' appearing in the Gow 5th collection states: This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of Whisky in 1799. It is expressive of a Highlander's sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage. Also in the 5th collection is the remedy to this distressing situation: 'Whisky Welcome back again', with the note: Alluding to permitting Whisky to be distilled in the year 1801. It is a merry dancing Tune. I seem to remember reading that the prohibition was caused by a shortage of grain. Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Francis To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
Yes Rob, it certainly wasn't about joining AA! What always strikes me on hearing or playing a Gow tune is what a lovely man he seems to have been have been. This is borne out when you read Burns account of their meeting. In his Journal describes Gow as ''a short, stout-built Highland figure, with his greyish hair shed on his honest social brow, an interesting face, marking strong sense, kind open heartedness mixed with unmistrusting simplicity''. Wonderful. Oh to have been the metaphorical fly on the wall that day! Incidentally this is also confirmed by viewing Raeburn's great portrait of Gow. Mind you I write this today under the influence of last weekend's visit to the excellent new Burns Museum in Ayr, and also after viewing again a wonderful award-winning film ''The Tree of Liberty'' made in 1987 by Timothy Neat -The Songs of Robert Burns sang by Jean Redpath , researched and arranged by Serge Hovey. A deeply moving experience. It's now available on DVD. See it. Bill -Original Message- From: lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu [mailto:lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu] On Behalf Of Rob Say Sent: 13 September 2011 19:43 To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subject: [NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow My powers of Google are strong this evening: Agricultural Returns and the Government during the Napoleonic Wars http://www.bahs.org.uk/01n1a5.pdf describes wet seasons, harvest failures, and the government reimposing restrictions on the use of grain. There's also in depth analysis of the large variations in the price of wheat of the period concerned.. R On 13/09/2011 19:28, Rob Say wrote: Hi Francis - I looked in to this one a while back for some track notes - here's a summary My understanding is that comment is attributed to Nathaniel and is in the published collection of 1819 (The Beauties of Gow). ( Interestingly the fiddler's companion has words from 1804: http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/FAR_FARE.htm#FAREWELL_TO_WHISKEY_[1]) I searched for and found reference to the 'British Government prohibition' to save the 'wasting of grain' but found only unreferenced stories. Jack Campin has a long article on grain and meal shortages (and riots). This one: http://www.campin.me.uk/Embro/Webrelease/Embro/17riot/17riot.htm gives a 6 fold increase in grain prices: The most extreme price rises for grain - to six times the previous level - were in the years 1799 and 1800. This led to several attacks on stores and carts, particularly in Leith, the Grassmarket, the Cowgate, the West Port and the Pleasance, and the Volunteers were called out to defend the dealers. This kind of action made them the target of children's rhymes: But no references .. the riots should be relatively easy to find - or ask Jack for his source, I see his name around and about... Grain prices are available for that time - e.g. National Archives Doc ref: *152M/C1819/OH142 *(I didn't retrieve it!) *Contents*: Need to encourage agriculture; suggests use of inferior grains in distilleries; greater demand for barley in north of Scotland for production of whiskey; price of grains in 1801 ands 1810 - 'Agricola' to H.A. This book on the haggis: http://www.avrf23.dsl.pipex.com/The%20Haggis%20TYPESET%2016%20feb-2.pdf Both references grain prices and crop failures for the period: 1790s Harvest Failure, 1799 Price of corn was more than double the level of the 1790s, Harvest Failure AND has a substantial reference list ... none of which are on my bookshelf. Hope this helps Rob On 13/09/2011 17:54, Francis Wood wrote: The note accompanying the fine tune 'Farewell to Whisky' appearing in the Gow 5th collection states: This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of Whisky in 1799. It is expressive of a Highlander's sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage. Also in the 5th collection is the remedy to this distressing situation: 'Whisky Welcome back again', with the note: Alluding to permitting Whisky to be distilled in the year 1801. It is a merry dancing Tune. I seem to remember reading that the prohibition was caused by a shortage of grain. Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Francis To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.914 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3894 - Release Date: 09/13/11 07:35:00
[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
Thanks, all, for the many interesting and informative responses! Francis On 13 Sep 2011, at 17:54, Francis Wood wrote: The note accompanying the fine tune 'Farewell to Whisky' appearing in the Gow 5th collection states: This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of Whisky in 1799. It is expressive of a Highlander's sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage. Also in the 5th collection is the remedy to this distressing situation: 'Whisky Welcome back again', with the note: Alluding to permitting Whisky to be distilled in the year 1801. It is a merry dancing Tune. I seem to remember reading that the prohibition was caused by a shortage of grain. Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Francis To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
Hello Francis Can't help on that front but I'm told Jack Armstrong would launch into that tune when his glass was empty. Anthony --- On Tue, 13/9/11, Francis Wood oatenp...@googlemail.com wrote: From: Francis Wood oatenp...@googlemail.com Subject: [NSP] Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow To: NSP group nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Date: Tuesday, 13 September, 2011, 17:54 The note accompanying the fine tune 'Farewell to Whisky' appearing in the Gow 5th collection states: This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of Whisky in 1799. It is expressive of a Highlander's sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage. Also in the 5th collection is the remedy to this distressing situation: 'Whisky Welcome back again', with the note: Alluding to permitting Whisky to be distilled in the year 1801. It is a merry dancing Tune. I seem to remember reading that the prohibition was caused by a shortage of grain. Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Francis To get on or off this list see list information at [1]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- References 1. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 5:54 PM, Francis Wood [1]oatenp...@googlemail.com wrote: Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Sorry, Francis, no. I do know about Matt Seattle's Farewell to Whisky, but it is not relevant here as it did not provide the inspiration for a tune, though several tunes preceded it. -- References 1. mailto:oatenp...@googlemail.com To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
As an aside, my wife found long ago that they go well together as a sequenced pair with a story to tell, on small harp! Richard. On 13/09/2011 17:54, Francis Wood wrote: The note accompanying the fine tune 'Farewell to Whisky' appearing in the Gow 5th collection states: This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of Whisky in 1799. It is expressive of a Highlander's sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage. Also in the 5th collection is the remedy to this distressing situation: 'Whisky Welcome back again', with the note: Alluding to permitting Whisky to be distilled in the year 1801. It is a merry dancing Tune. I seem to remember reading that the prohibition was caused by a shortage of grain. Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Francis To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html --- Text inserted by Panda IS 2011: This message has NOT been classified as spam. If it is unsolicited mail (spam), click on the following link to reclassify it: http://localhost:6083/Panda?ID=pav_19666SPAM=truepath=C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Richard\Local%20Settings\Application%20Data\Panda%20Security\Panda%20Internet%20Security%202011\AntiSpam ---
[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
Hi Francis - I looked in to this one a while back for some track notes - here's a summary My understanding is that comment is attributed to Nathaniel and is in the published collection of 1819 (The Beauties of Gow). ( Interestingly the fiddler's companion has words from 1804: http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/FAR_FARE.htm#FAREWELL_TO_WHISKEY_[1]) I searched for and found reference to the 'British Government prohibition' to save the 'wasting of grain' but found only unreferenced stories. Jack Campin has a long article on grain and meal shortages (and riots). This one: http://www.campin.me.uk/Embro/Webrelease/Embro/17riot/17riot.htm gives a 6 fold increase in grain prices: The most extreme price rises for grain - to six times the previous level - were in the years 1799 and 1800. This led to several attacks on stores and carts, particularly in Leith, the Grassmarket, the Cowgate, the West Port and the Pleasance, and the Volunteers were called out to defend the dealers. This kind of action made them the target of children's rhymes: But no references .. the riots should be relatively easy to find - or ask Jack for his source, I see his name around and about... Grain prices are available for that time - e.g. National Archives Doc ref: *152M/C1819/OH142 *(I didn't retrieve it!) *Contents*: Need to encourage agriculture; suggests use of inferior grains in distilleries; greater demand for barley in north of Scotland for production of whiskey; price of grains in 1801 ands 1810 - 'Agricola' to H.A. This book on the haggis: http://www.avrf23.dsl.pipex.com/The%20Haggis%20TYPESET%2016%20feb-2.pdf Both references grain prices and crop failures for the period: 1790s Harvest Failure, 1799 Price of corn was more than double the level of the 1790s, Harvest Failure AND has a substantial reference list ... none of which are on my bookshelf. Hope this helps Rob On 13/09/2011 17:54, Francis Wood wrote: The note accompanying the fine tune 'Farewell to Whisky' appearing in the Gow 5th collection states: This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of Whisky in 1799. It is expressive of a Highlander's sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage. Also in the 5th collection is the remedy to this distressing situation: 'Whisky Welcome back again', with the note: Alluding to permitting Whisky to be distilled in the year 1801. It is a merry dancing Tune. I seem to remember reading that the prohibition was caused by a shortage of grain. Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Francis To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
My powers of Google are strong this evening: Agricultural Returns and the Government during the Napoleonic Wars http://www.bahs.org.uk/01n1a5.pdf describes wet seasons, harvest failures, and the government reimposing restrictions on the use of grain. There's also in depth analysis of the large variations in the price of wheat of the period concerned.. R On 13/09/2011 19:28, Rob Say wrote: Hi Francis - I looked in to this one a while back for some track notes - here's a summary My understanding is that comment is attributed to Nathaniel and is in the published collection of 1819 (The Beauties of Gow). ( Interestingly the fiddler's companion has words from 1804: http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/FAR_FARE.htm#FAREWELL_TO_WHISKEY_[1]) I searched for and found reference to the 'British Government prohibition' to save the 'wasting of grain' but found only unreferenced stories. Jack Campin has a long article on grain and meal shortages (and riots). This one: http://www.campin.me.uk/Embro/Webrelease/Embro/17riot/17riot.htm gives a 6 fold increase in grain prices: The most extreme price rises for grain - to six times the previous level - were in the years 1799 and 1800. This led to several attacks on stores and carts, particularly in Leith, the Grassmarket, the Cowgate, the West Port and the Pleasance, and the Volunteers were called out to defend the dealers. This kind of action made them the target of children's rhymes: But no references .. the riots should be relatively easy to find - or ask Jack for his source, I see his name around and about... Grain prices are available for that time - e.g. National Archives Doc ref: *152M/C1819/OH142 *(I didn't retrieve it!) *Contents*: Need to encourage agriculture; suggests use of inferior grains in distilleries; greater demand for barley in north of Scotland for production of whiskey; price of grains in 1801 ands 1810 - 'Agricola' to H.A. This book on the haggis: http://www.avrf23.dsl.pipex.com/The%20Haggis%20TYPESET%2016%20feb-2.pdf Both references grain prices and crop failures for the period: 1790s Harvest Failure, 1799 Price of corn was more than double the level of the 1790s, Harvest Failure AND has a substantial reference list ... none of which are on my bookshelf. Hope this helps Rob On 13/09/2011 17:54, Francis Wood wrote: The note accompanying the fine tune 'Farewell to Whisky' appearing in the Gow 5th collection states: This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of Whisky in 1799. It is expressive of a Highlander's sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage. Also in the 5th collection is the remedy to this distressing situation: 'Whisky Welcome back again', with the note: Alluding to permitting Whisky to be distilled in the year 1801. It is a merry dancing Tune. I seem to remember reading that the prohibition was caused by a shortage of grain. Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Francis To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[NSP] Re: Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow
On 13 Sep 2011, Rob Say wrote: This book on the haggis: http://www.avrf23.dsl.pipex.com/The%20Haggis%20TYPESET%2016%20feb-2.pdf Both references grain prices and crop failures for the period: 1790s Harvest Failure, 1799 Price of corn was more than double the level of the 1790s, Harvest Failure AND has a substantial reference list ... none of which are on my bookshelf. The prices were additionally hiked by the British government requisitioning foodstuffs for the troops/navies / etc for the various ongoing military campaigns at the time. I can find no reference to whisky in A History of the Scottish People 1560-1830 - generally reckoned a standard social history text, if now a bit dated. The only famine it mentions is the big 1690s one which took out 25% of the Scottish population (and by extrapolation probably a sizeable chunk of the Northumbrian, since the area looked north, not south). Julia To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
