‘BRIDGET CRUISE’ & ‘SQUIRE WOOD’S LAMENTATION’

‘BRIDGET CRUISE’ & ‘SQUIRE WOOD’S LAMENTATION’

Carolan (1670 to 1738) was a famous Irish blind harper who made a living by visiting local families, mainly the gentry, and playing in return for his keep.   He frequently composed short pieces, and dedicated them to his patrons.   Bridget Cruise was rather special because he had fallen in love with her as a teenager, before he was blinded by the smallpox.   He wrote several pieces for her, and this one is known as ‘Bridget Cruise: Third Air’.   It is a lovely melody, and quite easy to play.

Squire Wood was a wealthy mine owner who was given authority by the British Government to issue copper coinage because of a supposed shortage.   The Irish Parliament had not been consulted, and there were suspicions of bribery, which resulted in universal opposition to the coins, and Wood lost a great deal of money.   The full title of this tune is ‘Squire Wood’s Lamentation on the Refusal of his Halfpence’, and it is possible that Carolan wrote it to fit some satirical verses about the unfortunate Squire.   The words, if any, have been lost, but this remains a hauntingly beautiful melody, which is not difficult to play on the guitar.

Hardcopies £3.00 plus postage. Download £2.00

UK post £1.50 (Royal Mail 2nd Class). International £3.00. In order to make our sheet music affordable to all our postage costs apply to any number of solos from our range.

Purchasers of this document/file are entitled to use it for their own personal enjoyment and musical fulfilment. However, any duplication, adaptation, arranging and/or transmission of this copyrighted music requires the written consent of Clifford Essex Music Co Ltd. Unauthorised uses are infringements of copyright laws and may subject the user to civil and/or criminal penalties.

It is the responsibility of the consumer to download the product to their computers or devices within a two-day period and to report any technical problems as soon as possible after purchase.