The tune is often performed with neutral tones, varying intonation for both the third and seventh degrees of the scale (the F and C notes). For this reason many of the D chords are lacking thirds (colloquially called 'neutered chords'). Note that the scale signature changes to indicate that F notes are sharper n the B part... but keep in mind, they are not necessarily exact f sharp pitches but are ones played according to taste.

I first heard this in the home of Johnny Wilmot who played me a setting he'd adapted from hearing his uncle Joe Confiant play it. I later heard a recording of Joe. Also played by Paul Wukitsch, Joe Peter Maclean and Father Angus Morris. My setting above is a composite from those local strathspey players. The local Gaelic title is pronounced Bricki-ish Lawchhhh-lan.

The English title comes from Bremner's 1757 collection. In that century it was also known as Lady McIntosh's Reel (Stewart c. 1761), Cummings 1780). Locally it has been recorded by both Joe Confiant and by Joe Peter MacLean (who used Gaelic title). My setting is a composite.

The Irish have a reel setting (which will be in the Cape Breton Irish Collection c. 2017). That setting has been historically played mostly by Uileann pipers and is known as Corney is Coming. See O’Neill's Collection

Other Examples of Music Notation

Cranford Pub Search Engine

last update 1/24/13