James Barr (composer)

{{Short description|Scottish composer}}

{{Other people|James Barr}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}

James Barr (1779–1860) was a Scottish composer who composed the tune which inspired the tune now used for the Australian traditional song "Waltzing Matilda."[http://www.nla.gov.au/epubs/waltzingmatilda/1-Orig-Christina.html Who'll Come A Waltzing Matilda with Me?] National Library of Australia.

Born in Tarbolton in South Ayrshire, Barr taught music and worked for a publisher in Glasgow. Barr set several poems by his friend Robert Tannahill to music.

Barr emigrated for Canada in 1832, where he worked as a farmer until 1855. He died in Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire, Scotland.