Skip to main content

Songs. Musical compositions.

 Subject
Subject Source: Local sources
Scope Note: Musical compositions, typically relatively short, consisting of words, melody and, often but not necessarily, other elements of musical arrangement. The words, which may be sung with or without instrumental accompaniment, may be specific to the music, lyrics, or the music may be composed to accompany existing words, such as those of a poem.

Found in 411 Collections and/or Records:

Miscellaneous music and words from various cultures collected by Rose Ethel Bassin., 1938-1969.

 File
Identifier: MS.14929
Scope and Contents The miscellaneous music and words are from various cultures other than Scottish Gaelic, notably Russian (folios 20-32), Aramaic (folios 33-36), French (-Canadian) (folios 37-40), Chilean (folios 41-43), Irish (folio 44), Scots (folios 45-53), English (folio 55 on).Also included are the following;(i) Music connected with B.Mus. (Durham) correspondence course, 1938-1941 (folio 1);(ii) See above. Folio 35, letter of Ruth Rubin, folksinger, New York, 26 August...
Dates: 1938-1969.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Papers of Rose Ethel Bassin, Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, Associate of the Royal College of Music (1889-1974), music-teacher, song-collector, and biographer of Frances Tolmie. / Papers of Rose Ethel Bassin.

Miscellaneous music of John Davidson., [?1871-?1926.]

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS.22073-22074
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: John Davidson, a member of the family of J & A Davidson, coal merchants and shipping agents, Aberdeen, was an amateur musician and composer. His preferred medium appears to have been the string quartet, but he composed and arranged pieces also for other combinations of instruments, chiefly strings. A number of pieces appear in more than one form. The collection contains both full scores and parts.The earliest and latest dates discernible are 1871 and 1926, but almost...
Dates: [?1871-?1926.]
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Musical compositions and other papers, 1871-1926, undated, of John Davidson; and correspondence and compositions [circa 1883- circa 1917], undated, of James Scott Skinner. / Musical compositions and other papers, chiefly undated, of John Davidson.

Miscellaneous musical stage works of G W Crawford., [?1892-?1941.]

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS.21958-21962
Scope and Contents From the Series: Most of the compositions of G W Crawford are written on a large scale and the collection consists chiefly of full scores, piano reductions and orchestral parts. There are very few drafts or sketches: almost all the compositions are in their final form, and many are in the hands of copyists. Most of the works are undated. Those dates that appear (usually on the last page or leaf) range from 1892 to 1941, but it is rarely clear whether these are of composition, revision or performance. Almost...
Dates: [?1892-?1941.]
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Surviving musical archive, chiefly undated, of Gerald W Crawford (1868-1942), a consulting engineer and an Edinburgh city councillor and Justice of the Peace, who was well known in his day for his musical activities, especially as composer and conductor of several orchestras including, latterly, one of his own. / Music of G W Crawford for stage works.

Miscellaneous papers of and relating to Sir Charles Dalrymple., 1855-1916, undated.

 File
Identifier: MS.25652
Scope and Contents

The papers include Sir Charles Dalrymple's account of Lady Alice Mary Dalrymple's death in 1884 and drafts for his Memorial Service at Newcraighall Church in 1916. There is also miscellaneous verse, drawings, and printed notices.

Dates: 1855-1916, undated.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Papers of the Dalrymples of Hailes and Newhailes. / Correspondence and papers of Sir Charles Dalrymple, 1st Baronet of Newhailes. / Miscellaneous papers of and concerning Sir Charles Dalrymple.

Miscellaneous papers of Donald Alexander Mackenzie., [Circa 1909]-1937.

 File
Identifier: MS.19310
Scope and Contents

The papers include twelve songs set to music, six being settings of poems by Donald Alexander Mackenzie, and eight arranged by Learmont Drysdale. Also a memorandum of agreement for publishing ‘The Migration of Symbols’, 1923 (folio 36), manuscript of Mackenzie's article on ‘School Life Fifty years ago’ published in the ‘Scottish Educational Journal’ of November 18th 1932, pages 1391-1393 (folio 38), and newspaper cuttings concerning his life and work, 1901-1937.

Dates: [Circa 1909]-1937.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Letters to and miscellaneous papers of Donald Alexander Mackenzie.

Miscellaneous papers of the Edinburgh Skating Club., 1854-1969, undated.

 File
Identifier: MS.24646
Scope and Contents

The contents are as follows. (i) Secretary's Reports, 1888-1897, with Reports of Committees, 1881, 1895 (folio 1); (ii) Letters of Thomas Paterson, Club Secretary, 1881 (folio 30); (iii) Miscellaneous bills, 1854-1874 (folio 36); (iv) Miscellaneous papers, 1863-1969, undated, including notes on days of skating in seasons 1863-1878, a Prospectus for the Murrayfield Skating Company, 1881, and a club song, 1881.

Dates: 1854-1969, undated.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Minutes, accounts, and miscellaneous papers of the Edinburgh Skating Club. / Miscellaneous papers of the Edinburgh Skating Club.

Miscellaneous poems of Joe Corrie., 1954-1967, undated.

 File
Identifier: MS.26533
Scope and Contents

The poems include the typescript of a long poem, 'The Mermaid', 1954 (folio 1), manuscripts and typescripts of poems and songs (folio 32) and an index of first lines of a collection of poems (folio 61).

Dates: 1954-1967, undated.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Papers of the playwright and author, Joe Corrie (1894-1968). / Typescripts of poetry of Joe Corrie.

Miscellaneous small collections of letters and papers.

 File
Identifier: MS.1006
Dates: 1620-1837, undated.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division

"Miss Maule's music book", consisting of nine dances (chiefly Scottish) arranged for keyboard, and three songs with keyboard introductions and accompaniments., Early 19th century.

 Item
Identifier: MS.9476
Scope and Contents From the Series:

MSS.9447-9458 consist of Scottish and English music, and French lute music, all dating from before 1675. MSS.9459-9469 consist of French music brought to Scotland by James and Harie Maule after their visits to France between 1678 and 1683. MSS.9470-9475 are opera scores and parts acquired by James Maule when in exile in Italy after the 1715 rising.

Dates: Early 19th century.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Panmure music books.

`M.S. West Highland Tales Vol. V`, being mainly a continuation of the scripts and editorial material for inclusion in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, volume 3., 1860-1861.

 File
Identifier: Adv.MS.50.1.5
Scope and Contents The contents of the manuscript are as follows:(i) `Laoidh Dhiarmaid`: Gaelic version, not published in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 3, transcribed by Hector MacLean from Janet Currie, South Uist, 1860. On folio 1 verso are notes by MacLean of remarks about ‘Ossianic’ poetry by Alphonse de Lamartine and Wilhelm von Humboldt. (Folio 1.)(ii) `Dan an Deirg`: Gaelic words of the first stanza and music, as received from Mrs MacTavish, Islay, 1861. ‘Popular Tales...
Dates: 1860-1861.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Correspondence and papers, including many manuscripts in Gaelic, journals and yearbooks (with many photographs), albums of watercolour paintings and sketches, and experimental notebooks, of John Francis Campbell of Islay (1821-1885), Gaelic scholar and collector of oral tradition, traveller, scientist, official of the royal household and public servant. / Manuscripts, proofs and editorial commentary, with some associated correspondence, papers and notes, of John Francis Campbell and his team of collectors for ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 1859-1862, and of the later tale collection fieldwork by Campbell himself, 1870-1871.

Music-album, apparently from the collection of papers associated with the son and daughters of Allan Ramsay, inscribed inside the front cover, 'Sold by Corri and Coy., Music Sellers to her Majesty, Edinr.', and 'Miss C. Murray, Jany. 3d., 1793'., [1793, or before.]

 Item
Identifier: MS.2906
Scope and Contents

The album contains miscellaneous music, including several Scottish songs and dances.

Dates: [1793, or before.]
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Letters and papers associated with the son and daughters of Allan Ramsay, the painter, and their relations.

Music and papers on music, chiefly undated, of F G Scott., [1913-1951.]

 File
Identifier: MS.22019
Scope and Contents The contents are as follows:(i) Short score of the overture ‘Renaissance’ (folio 1);(ii) Settings of songs (folio 12) and various musical compositions and transcriptions (folio 34);(iii) Letter and draft prospectus, 1944, of William Maclellan (folio 55);(iv) Lectures (folio 61);(v) Notes and other writings on music (folio 68);(vi) Extracts from music reference books (folios 100).Some of the musical...
Dates: [1913-1951.]
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Miscellaneous collection of music, and of lectures and writings (many fragmentary) on music, and on Scottish music in particular, by Francis George Scott.

Music belonging to Mary Grant, Cullen House.

 Item
Identifier: Acc.11020
Scope and Contents

Includes pieces by Handel, San Martini, the Earl of Keely, and various songs.

Dates: circa 1750.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division

Music book, compiled apparently towards the end of the eighteenth century, containing dances, marches and some songs.

 File
Identifier: MS.21752
Scope and Contents The owner is not known, but was presumably a resident of Edinburgh (folios 30 verso, 31). Eight printed songs and a fragment of a ninth, all datable to the last decade of the eighteenth century, have been tipped in at folios 62-79, which have been cut down to stubs for the purpose. Folios 80-81 also are cut down, but nothing has been attached to them. A march written apparently in the owner's hand is pasted to folio 80. The owner's incomplete pagination has been ignored. The book was...
Dates: Late 18th century.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division

Music book compiled by J Crichton Donaldson.

 Item
Identifier: MS.22170
Scope and Contents The signature of J Crichton Donaldson has been written on the pastedowns inside both front and back covers and at folio 55.The music book was begun in 1853 and continued until at least 20 September 1855 and contains a large number of tunes, numbered to 1080 (folio 97 verso), followed by more, unnumbered, tunes. They consist chiefly of dances, together with several military marches, some songs, sets of variations and a few original solos requiring a more developed technique and...
Dates: 1853-[1855, or after].
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division

Music book containing dances, songs, and hymns, in various hands., [Circa 1814.]

 Item
Identifier: MS.5781
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The collection consists of manuscripts on a wide variety of subjects, many copied from manuscript or printed works, and chiefly dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Among them are some account-books, diaries, and other manuscripts of family interest (including a few concerning the 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, father of the 6th Marchioness of Lothian), but very few letters.

Dates: [Circa 1814.]
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Manuscripts from the library at Newbattle Abbey. / Musical manuscripts from the library at Newbattle Abbey.

Music book containing songs, March 1858-December 1864, in various languages., 1858-1864.

 Item
Identifier: MS.22167
Scope and Contents

The second and subsequent stanzas of some songs have been written on small sheets of paper and tipped in at the appropriate places. A few headings and sketches written on scraps of paper have been pasted in. Sheets found loosely enclosed have been transferred to MS.22168.

Dates: 1858-1864.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Music books belonging to a member, or members, of the family of James Sanderson, a surgeon in the Madras Army; with a song setting and verses, undated, written on sheets formerly loosely inserted in MS.22167. / Music books belonging to a member, or members, of the family of James Sanderson.

Music book containing songs, November 1856-January 1857, in French and English., 1856-1857.

 Item
Identifier: MS.22166
Scope and Contents

The title page (folio i) is inscribed 'B Sanderson Ootacamund 1856'.

The lower half of folio 10, which is blank, has been cut off.

Dates: 1856-1857.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Music books belonging to a member, or members, of the family of James Sanderson, a surgeon in the Madras Army; with a song setting and verses, undated, written on sheets formerly loosely inserted in MS.22167. / Music books belonging to a member, or members, of the family of James Sanderson.

Music book containing songs, September 1856, in various languages., 1856.

 Item
Identifier: MS.22165
Scope and Contents

The (printed) title page (folio i) is inscribed 'B Sanderson Ootacamund 1856'. Folio i verso is inscribed 'Bella G. Dalziel 28. Dublin Street Edinburgh' in a nineteenth-century hand.

Dates: 1856.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Music books belonging to a member, or members, of the family of James Sanderson, a surgeon in the Madras Army; with a song setting and verses, undated, written on sheets formerly loosely inserted in MS.22167. / Music books belonging to a member, or members, of the family of James Sanderson.

Music book containing songs, some with words and melody, some with words, melody, and bass; pieces for keyboard, for flute, and for 'lyre' and flute, early 19th century., Late 18th century-early 19th century.

 Item
Identifier: MS.10968
Scope and Contents

The music is partly Scottish, and partly a collection of popular operatic melodies of the late 18th century.

Dates: Late 18th century-early 19th century.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Family papers, chiefly eighteenth to nineteenth century, of the Grahams of Airth. / Miscellaneous papers of the Graham family of Airth.

Music book, entitled 'Repertoire de musique' (but lithographed in Edinburgh) of the daughters of James Douglas, containing a few songs and dances., Early 19th century-mid 19th century.

 Item
Identifier: MS.21793
Scope and Contents

Most of the volume is blank.

Dates: Early 19th century-mid 19th century.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Music books, apparently a fragment of a collection of at least twenty-one volumes, all apparently the original property of the daughters of James Douglas of Cavers (succeeded 1815).

Music book of Alexander MacAlman.

 Item
Identifier: MS.9477
Scope and Contents A volume of psalm tunes and other songs, compiled circa 1643 by Edward Millar, director of the Chapel Royal of Scotland, and owned circa 1660 by Alexander MacAlman (Dean of Argyll?), from whom it passed to the Reverend Colin Campbell of Achnaba, minister of Ardchattan, an ancestor of the depositor.The contents are as follows:(i) Vocal exercises (folio 1);(ii) Fifteen common psalm tunes, all already contained in the psalter of 1635 in almost the same order,...
Dates: [Before 1643.]
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division

Music book of Elizabeth D Borthwick containing Scottish songs and extracts from various operas., 1845.

 Item
Identifier: MS.10382
Scope and Contents

A few rough sketches and doodles appear throughout the volume.

Dates: 1845.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Papers of the family of Borthwick of Crookston. / Notebooks and journals of the family of Borthwick of Crookston.

Music book of George Chalmers containing catches (mostly for three voices) and songs., Late 17th century-early 18th century.

 Item
Identifier: Adv.MS.81.9.12
Scope and Contents The catches (folios 2-9, 15-15 verso) all appear in one or other of the editions of ‘The Musical Companion’. Composers include William and Henry Lawes, John Hilton, Edmund Nelham, and W[?alter] P[?orter].The following songs have been identified:`Where are all thy beauties` by Thomas Campian, in ‘First Book of Ayres’ (folio 9 verso).`My love bound me` by Robert Jones, in ‘Second Book of Songs’; also in Adv.MS.5.2.14, folio 4 verso (folio 9 verso)....
Dates: Late 17th century-early 18th century.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Papers of George Chalmers, the antiquary.

Music-book of Harriet Sprot, containing songs and dances in several hands., Early 19th century.

 Item
Identifier: MS.10314
Dates: Early 19th century.
Found in: National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division / Correspondence and papers of Mark Sprot of Garnkirk and his family.

Staff Interface | Visit ArchivesSpace.org | v3.4.1 | Send Feedback or Report a Problem