The Dashing White Sergeant

The origins of the tune and dance are not Scottish. The tune was composed by Sir Henry Rowley Bishop (the composer also of “Home Sweet Home.”) The words are by General John Burgoyne. It was first published in 1826 and the dance is influenced by the Scotch reel and Swedish country dances.

More information on the dances and examples of tunes to illustrate them can be found in “Traditional Scottish Fiddling” by Christine Martin and in the “Ceilidh Collection for Fiddlers” series of four books.