John Murdoch Henderson (1902-1972)
The John Murdoch Henderson Music Collection
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Adam Glen 1625 - 1715

The name Glen in the city of Edinburgh has been for centuries synonymous with the bagpipe and its music. The family, who made, played and published for the bagpipe were descendants of the legendary "Pawky" Adam Glen (1625 - 1715), a piper, balladeer and dedicated Jacobite supporter. Alexander Glen (1801 - 1873), wrote the following for the 1854 publication of The Piper's Assistant.

"Adam Glen was long a favourite in every farmers' village and fair in the west of Angus-shire. He was an excellent performer on the bag-pipe, a faithful reciter of our ancient ballads and in every way an eccentric character. In the Memorable year of Mar's rebellion he joined the battalion of his country on its march to Sheriffmuir and he remained behind, winding his warlike instrument in the front and fire of the enemy and fell on the field of battle, November 13th, 1715 in the ninetieth year of his age. A few months before his death he married his eighth wife, a maiden of forty-five." From The Piper's Assistant, 1854.

"Pawky" - An old Scots word meaning someone who has or shows a dry sense of humour which includes a shrewd and down-to-earth criticism of hypocrisy or pretension. (Collins Scots Dictionary).

Adam Glen - 3/4 air - Pipers Assistant, McLachlan, 1854


"Pawky" Adam Glen
From The Pipers Assistant

 

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