Hill’s Fancy hornpipe

Because of the title, this tune is assumed by some to be a composition of James Hill. It’s also more commonly known by the name of the dance - Circassian Circle. I prefer it in Bb, but it’s also played in other keys like G and D. My transcription is from the Lister manuscript from the mid 1800s because I like the variations in the setting. Here’s another Bb transcription from the same era, which I found on the net. This one has some nice snaps in the A-part making it sound more like a kind of schottische:

X: 1
T: Circassian Circle
M: C|
Q: 160
C: "A Hornpipe"
S: Wm Irwin, Folio MS, c1850. AGG’s Transcription
R: Hornpipe
O: England
A: Lake District
Z: vmp.Chris Partington.2005
F:http://www.village-music-project.org.uk/abc/IRWIN.ABC 2007-09-26 01:44:28 UT
K: Bbmaj
dc|B<Fdc B2dc|B<Fdc B2ed|c<Fed c2ed|c<Fed cdcB|
B<Fdc B2dc|B<Fdc BcdB|cded cFGA|B2d2B2:|
|:fe|dBfe d2fe|dfga bfed|cFed c2ed|cdcB Agfe|
dBfe d2fe|dfga bfed|cdcB AFGA|B2d2B2:|

Most people play a simpler setting in G, but I don’t like this as much:

X: 1
T: Circassian Circle
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
BA|GDBA G2B2|GDBA G2B2|ADcB A2c2|ABAG FDEF|
GDBA G2B2|GDBA G2B2|ABAG FDEF|G2B2 G2:|
|:dc|BGdc B2d2|BGBd gdBG|ADcB A2c2|ABAG FAdc|
BGdc B2d2|BGBd gdBG|ABAG FDEF|G2B2 G2:|

"You go your way, baby, and I’ll go mine Now and forever til the end of time We’ll find somebody new Baby we’ll say we’re through You won’t matter anymore"

Started running round in my head when I listened to the midi … obviously a later version 🙂

I prefer the G version - its easier to play on the concertina. I have it on an LP somewhere, played by the Cheviot Ranters. Do you know the other tunes that make up a typical Circassian Circle set?

I see that "c" has given one set by the Glencraig Scottish Dance Band

Do you play it in your band, hotspur?

By the way, it’s ‘c’, not "c". The distinction is very important.

No, but I’d like to introduce it as part of a set.
OK, ‘c’ it is.
You’re up late!

X: 1
T: Circassian Circle, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Amaj
E2|AEcB A2 c2|AEcB A2 c2|BEdc B2 d2|BcBA GEFG|
AEcB A2 c2|AEcB A2 c2|BcBA GEFG|A2 c2 A2:|
|:ed|cAed c2 e2|cAce aecA|BEdc B2 d2|BcBA GBed|
cAed c2 e2|cAce aecA|BcBA GEFG|A2 c2 A2:|

- which was submitted on October 18th 2012 by OsvaldoLaviosa.

Submitted on October 18th 2012 by OsvaldoLaviosa.
~ /tunes/12244

Scottish reel - "The circassian circle" is both a tune and a dance. The dance is generally accompanied on jig rithm. This is a Scottish reel. Original key: B flat.

# Posted on October 18th 2012 by OsvaldoLaviosa


Rather a bold statement to say "original key", though the earliest written version I know of is the William Irwin MS, and it is a "hornpipe" in Bb.

No conclusive evidence seems to have been offered as to where the dance or tune originates. It doesn’t appear to be actually Circassian though.

# Posted on October 18th 2012 by Weejie

Bonus Tracks:

Circassian Circle (the dance): "Circassian Circle" / "Waverley Steps" / "The Breakdown"

1. ) "Hill’s Fancy" / "Circassian Circle" - this tune

2. ) "Holyrood House" / "Waverley Steps"
Submitted on October 19th 2012 by OsvaldoLaviosa.
https://thesession.org/tunes/12247

3. ) "Breakdown"
Submitted on February 5th 2004 by rog.
https://thesession.org/tunes/2473