The Deil’s awa’ wi’ the Exciseman (Robert Burns)
Traditional Scottish tune arranged for Clarinet Quartet by Hugh Levey
(Either 4 Bb Clarinets or 3 Bb Clarinets and Bass Clarinet)

The Deil’s awa’ wi’ the Exciseman was written by the great Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1792. It is written in his native Scots tongue and tells the tale of the devil fiddling through the town and dancing away with the exciseman. For part of his life Burns himself was an exciseman (tax collector), with responsibility for bringing smugglers to justice on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland. In the song there is much cheer and rejoicing that the devil has taken away the taxman, so the locals can brew their beer without having to pay any tax.

Burns wrote the words of the song, but set them to a variation of an existing tune called The Hemp Dresser which dates from the 17th century or earlier. It is a lively jig which is arranged here for Clarinet Quintet.

The arrangement begins with clarinet and bass clarinet playing the tune and bass line, almost exactly as they appeared in The Scots Musical Museum, published by James Johnson & Co in six volumes between 1787 and 1803. The other instruments all get the opportunity to play the melodic line in the ensuing 5 verses, as the arrangement gets more complex and fun. The arranger makes great use of the tritone; or “devil’s interval” as it is often known because of its unsettling presence. However, in this arrangement it merely adds to the fun and excitement.

Duration: 2'45" to 3'
Programme and Performance Notes: 1 page
Score: 10 pages
Parts: 12 pages