A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Highland Fling

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A Dictionary of Music and Musicians
edited by George Grove

Highland Fling by Edward John Payne

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From volume 1 of the work.

1504797A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — Highland FlingGeorge GroveEdward John Payne

HIGHLAND FLING. A step in dancing, peculiar to the Scotch Highlands. The name is commonly transferred to the dance itself. The term 'fling' expresses the kicking gesture which characterises it. When a horse kicks by merely raising one leg and striking with it, he is said, in grooms' parlance, to 'fling like a cow.' The performer dances on each leg alternately, and flings the other leg in front and behind. The Highland Fling, in which three, four, or more persons may take part, is danced to the music of the Strathspey. The following is a specimen:—

Marquis of Huntly's Highland Fling.

${ \time 4/4 \key d \major \partial 8 \relative a' { \repeat volta 2 { a8 d16-!->\sf d8.-! fis8. d16 g8. e16 fis16( d8.) | b16( e8.) e d16 \appoggiatura d16 cis16( a8.) a16( cis8.) | d16-!->\sf d8.-! fis8. d16 g8. e16 fis16 d8. | b8.( e16) d\( cis b a d4. } \repeat volta 2 { b8 a16->\sf d,8. fis16( e d8) a'8. b16 d8. fis16 | \appoggiatura a16 g8. e16 fis8. d16 \appoggiatura g16 e8. d16 b16( d8.) | a16->\sf d,8. fis16( e d8) a'8. b16 d8. b'16 | a8. fis16 e8. fis16 d4. } } }$

[ E. J. P. ]