Episode 11 ~ McLeod's Reel

This tune has often been called the original Virginia Reel. In this episode, we can see soldiers dancing together in the background, while others watch and clap in time with the music. We had included this scene because we wanted to try and capture the essence of what young Private David Holt of Co. K, 18th Mississippi, wrote wrote in his excellent post-war account, in December of 1862:
“Co.K had one violinist and five fiddlers and we made use of them by inaugurating dances. Owing to ladies not being anywhere about, men substituted and were so designated by having a handkerchief tied around their arms. With a big bonfire at each end of the company street, we used the space between for our dance hall.”
Private Tally Simpson, of the 3rd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, a ‘brother’ regiment in Kershaw’s legendary South Carolina brigade, wrote home to his sister in March of 1863: “The minstrels are carrying the day. They perform excellently and afford intense amusement.” He later observed, “Tis said that Kershaw’s is the finest minstrel band in these parts, and I am inclined to believe it.”
Private Holt went on to write in December of 1863 that, “At short intervals, there would be a concert of classical music… Beethoven’s Mass in C, and Meyerbeer’s opera of the Hugenots. The fine music seemed to renew one’s hold on the amenities… of civilized life. It lifted us above the grime and the grind of our condition, out of the discord of war and into the harmony and peace of God.”
McLeod's Reel is a traditional 18th century Scottish fiddle tune first published in Neil Gow’s Strathspey Reels of 1809. By the mid-19th century, its growth in popularity had made it a staple anywhere reels were danced, and it is still commonly performed in modern dance ensembles. It was especially popular with the Scottish colonial settlers of the North Carolina-Appalachian Mountain regions.

[@z_dog7739]

Such a wonderful and lively tune !

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I really like the description. Being a native Tarheel and having been around Yankees of one sort or another for over 50 years because our part of the country has been inundated with them since I was a kid, I have no trouble believing that Southern lads would go after a frolic whenever and wherever they could. I've seen happy Yankeyes, but a lot more happy Southerners. I choke up every time I hear you play a tune. LOTS of sentiment.
Southern by the Grace Of God! GBWYall!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks a LOT, Lewie !!! We truly appreciate your support and kind words. GBWY 2 !!!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand Like Red Green said, 'We're all in this together'!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@lewiemcneely9143 That man spoke the TRUTH !

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand He did for US!

[@BonnieBlue1861]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand I’ve wanted to express this for some time now. In the lowest of times, and in the sorrows of how we’ve continued to decline as a “so-called” society, I’ve often turned to your “heart song” as a way to rekindle my spirit. When I listen to any of your songs, “our songs”, I feel the South beneath my feet, the earth, that rich soil, that our courageous ancestors lived, fought, and were laid to rest on. So far from society’s call to be ashamed or regretful of. It’s such a strong force, coursing through my veins. It’s hard to even put into words. Our pride does not perpetuate hate within us.
Your efforts mean so much to those that are still so very proud of the South and where we came from. Tell me what, aside from God, matters more than that?
Thank you ever so much for being brave enough in these condemning times in which we now live, to keep “our” heritage, “our” culture, alive through true historic word and song. Bless you all as you continue to inspire and motivate the few that hang on to an untainted identity of those beautiful days of the South long gone, from whence we Rebels, all emerged. I

[@BonnieBlue1861]

I’ve wanted to express my thoughts for some time now.
In my lowest of times, as we’ve continued to decline as a “so-called” society, I’ve often retreated to your “heart song” as a way to rekindle my spirit. Whenever I listen to your songs, “Our songs”, I feel the South beneath my feet, the earth, that rich soil, that our courageous ancestors, lived, fought, and were laid to rest on. An eternity away from what present day tells us to be ashamed or regretful of. That force within us, is such a strong force, one that every human being has a right to feel and express. It’s hard to even put into words. But simply, our pride does not perpetuate hate within us.
Your efforts mean so much, to those that are still so proud of the South and where we came from. Tell me what aside from God, matters more than that.
Thank you ever so much for being brave enough in these most condemning times, to keep “our” heritage, “our” culture, alive and honored through true historic word and song.
May the Lord bless you all, as you continue to inspire and motivate the few that still hang on to an untainted identity of those glorious days of the South long gone. That from whence we unabashedly emerged.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks very much, Dana, for such kind words !

[@ironlady880]

More, please and thank you. 👏

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks, Iron Lady !!! But only 2 more to go...

[@Matthias_SZL]

Very energetic tune! And TY for description. Love from US (Upper Silesia ;) )

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

DEFINITELY energetic ! Two takes late at night after a 12 hour day. Hats off to those dancin' fools !!!

[@thethe2645]

those noises at the beginning sounded like something fiddling with my window and i nearly had a heart attack
thank you second south carolina string band, very cool

[@conorgibson7301]

*Happiness noises*

[@horsthotteschmockulewski8480]

We wish you´ll visit Dresden, Germany - Free Saxonia Hearts!

[@Jubilo1]

Lookee Mr. Fred sawing that fiddle !

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

HOT licks !!!

[@chimpanzee1821]

This’ll keep me in a good mood

[@gedbob1]

Love this band, God bless the south, from england

[@barefoofDr]

The 1st East Tennessee Mobile Mountain Artillery is at your pleasure Sir.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Good to know, Buddy ! Thanks !!!

[@eulexie2010]

Good. Very good.

[@vudiroller11]

wonderful

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Danke !

[@therabman_5606]

I hope you realise the likeness of these tunes to your Ulster Scot’s heritage! we are cousins across the sea

[@kkk-sk5fn]

👍👍👍