So here’s the thing, as we say in Glasgow. Looking up Doris Ketelbey some weeks ago, I thought I saw an interesting heading in one of her books: it was the title or first line of a Scottish song. And I did EXACTLY what I warn students not to do.
It made such an impact that I was sure I’d find it again. After all, her book titles weren’t that numerous. Of course I’d remember. Moreover, if I’d found it once … right? (It’s possible that I found it by accident, with an unlikely set of search words, though.)
I bought a copy of her most popular school textbook, shelved it, and that was me. Sorted!
Until I looked at it more closely. This was European and a bit of world history. Post-Jacobite, I couldn’t see anything where a Scottish song title would have been a suitable caption. And – had there been an illustration above it? – or was I havering? (The caption might have been on a digital image, not searchable as text, maybe …)
Maybe I imagined the illustration, but I remained convinced about that caption. Just a pity that I couldn’t remember the song!
- I started searching last night. In bed, I lay awake, agitated by my failure to source the mystery book.
- Today, I searched Hathi Trust and Open Library. No luck.
- I looked at Jisc Library Hub and Worldcat, but they weren’t going to show me what I needed.
- Finally, I made a list of any Ketelbey titles which might possibly have touched on Scottish history (given that she wasn’t first and foremost a historian of Scottish history), and came up with another pair of books possibly also aimed at secondary schools.
There’s only one problem: the nearest copy is in Edinburgh. I had hoped to find it in Glasgow’s epic Mitchell Library, but this time I had no luck.
However, I’ve ordered the pair for about the cost of a return to Edinburgh. If what I’m looking for isn’t there, then I have to admit defeat. I still don’t understand how something I found before is now so very elusive…
Karen McAulay, Musicologist 