X:218
T:Miss Gunning's Delight
M:2/4
L:1/8
S:Aird's Selections 1782-97
R:Reel
K:G
B2 AG|(3FGA DC|B,DGB|AD D2|
B2 AG|F/2G/2A Dc|B/2c/2d DA|BG G2:|
|:gGgG|gG G2|F/2G/2A/2B/2 A2|F/2G/2A/2B/2 A2|
gGgG|gGGA|B2 AG|DG G2:|
|:Bded|Bded|edcB|AD D2|
Bded|Bded|edef|gG G2:||
%
% Well-born and of surprising loveliness only equalled by their poverty,
% the famous Gunning sisters, Maria and Elizabeth, born in Roscommon
% and educated in Dublin, became Lady Coventry, and Dutchess
% of Hamilton respectively, in 1752, one year after their arrival in
% London. The marriages of "two Irish girls of no fortune who are
% declared the handsomest women alive" were great public events.
% "May the Luck of the Gunnings attend you" was a proverbial Irish
% blessing.
% The above setting of a tune composed in their honor, and printed in
% Aird's Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs, vol.-1,
% 1782 is doubtless the original. A highly elaborate and difficult
% variant in four parts found in Sergt. James O'Neill's manuscripts,
% entitled "The Contradiction" was printed in former O'Neill
% Collections.
% As an example of what may be developed from a simple composition
% by a skillful hand, both original and variant are herewith submitted
% for comparison.