Mairi's Wedding (Lewis Bridal Song)
I just lost an old friend of 50 years. In 1971, my friend Bill brought his new girlfriend down to Port Hope to meet his old high school buddies Al and Jim. Stella saw my old bowl back Martin mandolin hanging on the kitchen wall and asked to try it. She played
Mairi's Wedding. I was impressed, so I said, "Let's have a jam."
Stella said, "Sorry, that's the only tune I know." It turns out that Stella's brothers were fine musicians and her brother John had taught her that song on his mandolin.
Later on, after Bill and Stella were married and had a house in Dundas, Stella introduced me to the music of
Bonnie Raitt,
Ry Cooder,
The Incredible String Band and
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Circle album.
The last time I saw Stella, about a month ago, she looked healthier than I am and was baking up a homemade pizza.
This tune, which also goes by the name
Lewis Bridal Song, was played on the pipes by Maggie's brother Bill at Maggie and my wedding to march us out of the church.
Here is the Stella I met 50 years ago with her sweetie Bill (Back in the Hippy days)
Stella and me at my surprise 70th birthday party at the Red Dog Tavern in Peterborough, Ontario.