“The Dark Island” trad Scots on Hurdy Gurdy

[@thecocktailian2091]

Since it keeps the drone of the pipes, its translation is near seamless.

[@Silpion1]

Hi any chance you my have music notes 🎵 for this song?

[@inverross9019]

The tune was written by Iain Maclachlan c 1958, so not really traditional. It became Dark Island for a 1962 TV series. Though it is so well known, the tune has effectively entered into the public domain.

[@GoingBrogue]

Thanks for the info! My father was a piper and it was one of his favorite solo tunes so I just assumed it was trad.

[@inverross9019]

@@ticketoutofthishellhole5992 In UK terms, to be legally traditional/public domain it has to be over 70 years since the death of the author/composer. Maclachlan died in 1995. He is legally its originator (no matter what rumours exist). Copyright on the tune started in 1962, when it first appeared in a fixed form. So 'Dark Island', isn't traditional.. but because of the snowballing effect and the Internet, it has entered a world wide consciousness - and effectively become a folk work as a tune. There are legal rules. which is why Beatles songs, aren't trad. despite some of theirs being the same age as Dark Island! It's the same with other works like 'Flower of Scotland', 'Caledonia', Highland Cathedral.. they are copyright, but so famous they have entered the folk consciousness over decades

[@inverross9019]

@@ticketoutofthishellhole5992 Trad. is a legal term in copyright. I own songs... I am an MCPS/PRS member. You can call a work trad. arr. by on a label credit 70 years after the death of the writer, and usually in folk music if they are unknown.. Public domain is the same really.. but in the case of 'dark island', only by error.

[@inverross9019]

@@ticketoutofthishellhole5992 I always hated the trad. label for Scottish heather n' haggis music as it confuses when there are modern tunes. There is no documentary proof of any sort for any other party having written Dr. Mackay's Farewell to Creagorry always just rumour.