The Mortgage Burn

Notes

“The Mortgage Burn” is a spirited reel that has become a staple in the Canadian and New England fiddle traditions. Composed by the late Cape Breton fiddler and prolific composer Jerry Holland, the tune was written to celebrate a very real and joyful milestone: the final payment on his home in Cape Breton. It perfectly captures that sense of relief and exuberant freedom through its driving rhythm and bright melodic leaps.

While it is a relatively modern composition, it has the “bones” of a classic traditional tune, making it a favorite for contra dances and kitchen sessions alike.

• The Feel: It is a high-energy, “up-tempo” reel. The tune has a wonderful rhythmic “bounce” that makes it feel light on its feet, despite its driving pace. It’s the kind of melody that feels like a physical exhale of joy.

• The Key: Played in A Major, which gives it a brilliant, ringing quality on the fiddle. The key allows for a lot of resonance and “lift,” making the tune sound big and celebratory.

• The Melody: * The A-Part: Grounded and rhythmic, with a “scot-snap” influence that reflects Holland’s Cape Breton roots. It establishes a strong, percussive foundation.

  • The B-Part: Moves into the higher register with soaring phrases that feel like a shout of victory. It has a beautiful flow that allows fiddlers to show off their bowing “pulse.”