Compare the Vickers versions of famous tunes (like "The Keel Row") to modern versions to show how folk music evolves over centuries.
In 2008, a definitive second edition was published jointly by the and the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society (NPS) . This single-volume version, titled The Great Northern Tune Book: William Vickers' Collection of Dance Tunes AD 1770 , is the definitive resource. It contains all 580 tunes meticulously transcribed, complete with detailed notes that trace the origins of the melodies and list alternative titles.
As of 2026, the following resources provide legal, free access:
Several initiatives have transcribed the manuscript into modern notation: Compare the Vickers versions of famous tunes (like
Given the proximity of Newcastle to Scotland, the collection is rich with Scottish tunes. In the mid-18th century, Scottish music was undergoing a massive boom in popularity (partly thanks to poets like Burns and composers like McGibbon). Vickers captures the "Old Way" of playing these tunes before they were heavily refined and "improved" by the Edinburgh drawing rooms. You will find Highland reels, strathspeys, and jigs scattered throughout the pages.
Today, the Great Northern Tunebook is widely available in the public domain. Digital humanities initiatives and folk music archives have made the collection completely to access.
Very little is known about the man behind the manuscript. The title page of the original document simply reads: “William Vickers, his Book, 1770.” It contains all 580 tunes meticulously transcribed, complete
Modern folk musicians and historians consider this a "must-have" for several reasons:
The inclusion of both "polite" minuets and "rustic" country dances shows a world where the music of the gentry and the working class frequently overlapped. Preservation and the "Free" Legacy
The Vickers collection is monumental in scope, containing 576 individual tunes. It represents a melting pot of musical styles that were popular in the Border region at the time. Diverse Musical Genres Vickers captures the "Old Way" of playing these
The Great Northern Tunebook is a remarkable collection of over 900 dance tunes, compiled by William Vickers in 1770. This extensive manuscript contains a wide range of traditional English, Scottish, and Irish dance tunes, including reels, jigs, hornpipes, and minuets. The collection provides a unique insight into the musical heritage of the British Isles during the 18th century.
Transcripts and digital versions of the tunes can often be found on community archives like FARNE (Folk Archive Resource North East) or the Village Music Project , which hosts transcripts of many 18th-century manuscripts .