Maggie And Jock barndance

Also played in F & C, as by Jimmy Shand and his band. He also, for one recording, played the parts in this order, repeated and not repeated:

AA / BB / A / CC / A / B / A / C / AA…

Here is a simplified transcriptions, without the ‘>’ or any (3, based on the playing of Jimmy Shand ~

X: 1
T: Maggie And Jock
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: barndance
K: G Major
|: Bc |
dBdB g2 g2 | f2 e^d e3 A | c2 c2 f2 f2 | e2 d^c d3 B |
d2 d2 g2 g2 | f2 e^d e3 c | f2 fe dcBA | G2 G2 G2 :|
|: Bc |
dBGB dBGE | FdFd F4 | ed^cd fd=cA | G2 G2 G2 Bc |
dBGB dBGE | FdFd F4 | edc>d fd=cA | G2 G2 G2 :|
|: Bc |
d2 d2 g2 g2 | f2 e^d e3 A | c2 c2 f2 f2 | e2 d>^c d3 B |
d2 d2 g2 g2 | f2 e^d e3 c | f2 fe dcBA | G2 G2 G3 :|
K: D Major
|: A |
Adfd Bdgd | Adfd A4 | Aege c4 | dfaf d4 |
Adfd Bdgd | Adfd A4 | Aeae cABc | d2 f2 d2 :|

Published by The National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs (NAAFC)
~ a collection of 30 of the compositions of Felix Burns, including placing them in the context of his life and history, photos,and an article written by Felix’s youngest son, Leo Burns.

http://www.footstompin.com/
http://www.footstompin.com/artists/felix_burns

Felix Burns, 1864 - 1920 ~ extracts from the longer article:

Felix Joseph Burns was born in Perth on 5th March, 1864. He showed a remarkable musical talent from an early age, progressing from the tin whistle and mouth organ to the piano. He became a fine organist and, joining the local band, mastered a variety of brass and woodwind instruments. From an early age he showed a flair for original composition.

According to Leo Burns, Felix’s youngest son (now 97 years of age and living in Coventry), his father ran way from home at the age of 16 in 1880 and joined the ‘Moore and Burgess Travelling Minstrel Show’. As well as his instrumental skills he had a lifelong love of the theatre and showmanship as reflected in many of the titles of his tunes.

From there he moved on to be a pianist with a travelling ‘Diarama’ Show and it was during this time that he met and married Catherine Burns, his first cousin from Motherwell. During a long and happy marriage they had thirteen children, nine of whom survived into adulthood. They were - sons Frederick, Douglas, Felix Jnr and Leo and daughters Catherine, Winifred, Susan, Leona and Doris.

In 1885 Felix, Catherine and their first two children arrived in the ‘Border City’ of Carlisle with the Diarama Show. Unfortunately the manager of the Show absconded with the money, a not uncommon occurrence in those days, leaving the Burns family and the rest of the crew stranded.

Felix however, expressed his belief that they would be all right in Carlisle since he liked the look of the place. From his introduction to the Border City at the famous ‘Matchbox Music Hall’ he quickly established himself as a music teacher and working musician. His teaching studio above the Market Arcade in Carlisle contained two grand pianos and a concert harp. ~

~ He published a total of 16 ‘Popular Dance Albums’ ~ they contain no less than 120 compositions ~ His own personal favourite was a Barn Dance tune entitled ‘Woodland Flowers’. ~

Despite the fact that he was not blessed with the best of health he was able to cram an amazing amount of musical activities and achievements into his short working life. It is impossible to calculate the total number of his compositions as there were at least twenty-two known Publishing Houses turning out his music under his real name as well as his nom-de-plumes. ~

In person Felix Burns was a pleasant, quietly spoken and earnest man. Despite his relaxed ways he was a man of great warmth and kindness and very great personality. He was a popular and good natured public figure and, in private, a loving father and a dedicated family man who had attained his own success and brought up a highly talented family by his endeavours.

In later life Felix suffered from prolonged ill health (he was possibly diabetic) but never complained. He died very suddenly on 19th January, 1920 at the age of 55. He had given 4 music lessons that day and still had 79 pupils on his register. Catherine, his wife, outlived him by 19 years and died in 1939.

To conclude, from impressions gained from my researches and from speaking with Leo, I should say that Felix Burns knew that it was not given to everyone to be a virtuoso but that everyone can enjoy music. He hoped that everyone who is blessed with the ability to play will try to appreciate music in all its forms and work to improve their skills for the betterment of their own enjoyment and satisfaction as well as the appreciation of those who listen to the music they play. ~

Tom Cowing, Hexham, July 2003

Key signature: D Major
Submitted on April 20th 2003 by gian marco.
https://thesession.org/tunes/1603

So, anyone else out there have anymore by Felix Burns to contribute, maybe “Shufflin’ Samuel”? 😉

I’m not sure about starting another ‘week’ dedicated to a composer, mainly because I don’t know if I can pull any more out of the had by this composer. His output includes barn dances, like these two, polkas, one & two steps and waltzes. I’ve no doubt that Nigel will have a few, and likely so will others…? 😏

‘out of the had’ ~ ‘out of the hat’ meant, of course… Hmmm, I do see a few more down there, under the sweat band. Let’s see ~

Key signature: G & C Major
Submitted on May 20th 2007 by ceolachan.
https://thesession.org/tunes/7238

Key signature: F & Bb Major
Submitted on May 20th 2007 by nigelg.
https://thesession.org/tunes/7233