[COMMENT1]  The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

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[COMMENT2] [COMMENT3] 

AA - ABEL

[COMMENT4] [COMMENT5] 

 

Notation Note: The tunes below are recorded in what is called “abc notation.” They can easily be converted to standard musical notation via highlighting with your cursor starting at “X:1” through to the end of the abc’s, then “cutting-and-pasting” the highlighted notation into one of the many abc conversion programs available, or at concertina.net’s incredibly handy “ABC Convert-A-Matic” at

http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html 

 

**Please note that the abc’s in the Fiddler’s Companion work fine in most abc conversion programs. For example, I use abc2win and abcNavigator 2 with no problems whatsoever with direct cut-and-pasting. However, due to an anomaly of the html, pasting the abc’s into the concertina.net converter results in double-spacing. For concertina.net’s conversion program to work you must remove the spaces between all the lines of abc notation after pasting, so that they are single-spaced, with no intervening blank lines. This being done, the F/C abc’s will convert to standard notation nicely. Or, get a copy of abcNavigator 2 – its well worth it.   [AK]

 

 

 

A. A. CAMERON'S STRATHSPEY. Scottish, Strathspey. A Mixolydian ('A' part). AABB. Lerwick (The Kilted Fiddler), 1985; pg. 27. Shanachie 79016, Silly Wizard - “So Many Partings.”

X:1

T:A. A. Cameron's

M:4/4

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

K:A Mix

|:eA3 A4 B3Gd3B|eA3 A4 d3g (3f2e2d2|eA3 A4 B3Gd3B|

BG3 G3B d3g (3f2e2d2:|

|:Be3e3f g3ea3f|Be3e3f g3e (3f2e2d2|

Be3e3f g3ea3f|dB3G3B d3g (3f2e2d2:|

                       

A. A. GLADSTONE [EDINBURGH]. Scottish, Reel. A Major. Standard. AABCCD. Composed by J. Scott Skinner (1843-1927). Hunter (The Fiddle Music of Scotland), 1988; No. 232.

           

‘A’ AND ‘D’ COTILLION. Rounder 0436, Art Galbraith – “Traditional Fiddle Music of the Ozarks, vol. 2: On the Springfield Plain.”

                                   

'A' AND 'E' RAG. Old‑Time, Reel. A Major. Standard. AABB. Sanella, "Balance and Swing" (CDSS). Caney Mountain Records CEP 102 (privately issued extended play LP), Lonnie Robertson (Mo.), c. 1965‑66.

..............                        

'A' AND 'E' WALTZ. American, Canadian; Waltz (9/8 or 3/4 time). A Major ('A' part) & E Major ('B' part). Standard tuning. AB (Phillips, Silberberg): ABCA'B'C' {part 'C' is a variation of 'A' played at the octave} (Gibbons). “A and E Waltz” is one of the ‘100 essential Missouri fiddle tunes’ according to Missouri fiddler Charlie Walden. It has been attributed to Rusty Modrell, without verification. Sources for notated versions: Arthur Lindstrom (British Columbia), who learned it during a fiddle contest in Weiser, Idaho in 1970 [Gibbons]; Vivian Williams [Silberberg]. Source for notated version: Lloyd Wanzer [Phillips]. Gibbons (As It Comes: Folk Fiddling From Prince George, British Columbia), 1982; No. 8, pgs. 22‑24. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; pg. 236. Silberberg (Tunes I Learned at Tractor Tavern), 2002, pg 1.

..............

A ANDY O. English, Air (2/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning. One part. Source for notated version: the 1823-26 music mss of papermaker and musician Joshua Gibbons (1778-1871, of Tealby, near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire Wolds) [Sumner]. Sumner (Lincolnshire Collections, vol. 1: The Joshua Gibbons Manuscript), 1997; pg. 83. Topic TSCD494, Eliza Carthy – “Rice.”

..............

A' BHANAIS IRTEACH. AKA and see "The St. Kilda Wedding."

              

A BHANARACH DHONN A' CHRUIDH. AKA and see "The Brown Milkmaid," "The Dairymaid [3]."

..............

‘A BHEAN A BH’AIG AN TÀILLEAR CHAOL (The skinny tailor’s wife).  AKA and see “Lady Madelina Sinclair.” Scottish, Air (4/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning. One part. A Scottish puirt a beul (mouth music) song, with sometimes bawdy words. The tune is the same as the strathspey “Lady Madelina Sinclair, printed by the Gows in 1792.

***

A’ bhean a bh’aig an taillear chaol, thug an taog an ceann dith;

A’ bhean a bh’aig an taillear chaol, thug an taog an ceann dith;

A’ bhean a bh’aig an taillear chaol, thug an taog an ceann dith,

Thug an taog na casan agus thug an cat an ceann dith.

A’ bhean a bh’aig an taillear chaol, thug an taog an ceann dith,

Thug an taog na casan agus thug an cat an ceann dith.

***

Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; pg. 77.

 

A BHEAN AN TAIGH NACH LEIG THU STEACH. AKA and see "Goodwife, Admit the Wanderer."

..............

A BHEAN-A-TIGHE. AKA and see "Oh, Woman of the House."

..............                        

A’ BHLIADHNA GUS AN AIMFIR FO. Scottish, Air. Patrick MacDonald Collection. Redwing Music RWMCD 5410, Abby Newton – “Castles, Kirks and Caves” (2001).

..............                        

A' BODY LOO'S ME. Scottish, Country Dance Tune (4/4 time). The tune appears in the Bodleian MS (1740), written by David Young, Edinburgh, and can also be found in Neil Stewart's 1761 collection (pg. 18).

..............

A CAILIN OIG NA POR AN SEAN DUME. Irish, Air. G Major. Standard tuning. One part. Roche Collection, 1982; vol. I, pg. 33.

..............            

A CAILLIG DO MARBUIGIS ME. AKA and see "Oh! Hag You Have Killed Me."

..............

A CHO-DHALTA MO RUIN! SEACHAINN AN DUN! (Dear Foster brother avoid the tower).  Scottish, Air (3/4 and 2/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. ABC. Jane Morison notes: “Sung by a prisoner to his young foster brother, the chief, to warn him of danger.” She also indicates the tune was “Kindly contributed (along with “Campbell of Duntroon’s Welcome”) by Miss McLeod of McLeod, and interesting as having been given to her many years ago by ‘The Stuart Princes’ the grand children of Prince Charles Edward.” Morison (Highland Airs and Quicksteps, vol. 2), c. 1882; No. 23, pg. 12 & No. 42, pgs 26-27 (pipe set).

X:1

T:A cho-dhalta mo ruin! Seachainn an dun!

T:Dear Foster brother avoid the tower.

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

S:MorisonHighland Airs and Quicksteps, vol. 2, No. 23 (c. 1882)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

GG/G/ d2c2 | AA/A/(c2A2) | FF/F/ (A2G2) | FF/F/ (A2G2) | GG/G/ d2c2 |

AA/A/ c2A2 | AG2 GG2 | FA2 GG2 | Gc2 FF2 | GA2 GG2 ||

M:2/4

L:1/8

N:”quicker

G>G d>d | A>A c>c | F>G A>G | A>G A>A | G>G d>d | A>A c>c |

F>G A>G | c>G G>G ||

M:3/4

L:1/8

G/G/G/d2c2 | AA/A/ c2A2 | FF/F/ (A2G2) | FF/F/ (A2G2) | GG/G/ d2c2 |

AA/A/ c2A2 | AG2 GG2 | FA2 GG2 | Gc2FF2 | GA2GG2 ||

X:2

T:A cho-dhalta mo rùin

M:C

L:1/8

R:March

S:MorisonHighland Airs and Quicksteps, vol. II,  No. 42 (c. 1882)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Dorian

A>{B}A e2 e>{d}B d2 | e>{d}B d2 e>{d}B d2 | B>{A}B e2 e>{d}Bd2 | G>B A>A G>B A>A :|

B>{A}G d>{B}B d>{G}G d>{B}B | d>{A}A d>{B}B d>{A}A d>{B}B | B>{A}G d>{B}B d>{G}G d>{B}B |

B>d A>A G>B A>A :: A>{B}A a2 {g}f/e/d f2 | e/d/B e2 d/B/B d2 | f>{e}d f2 e>{d}Be2 |

d>{B}A B2 G>B A>A | G>B A>A z2z2 :: d>G B>B d>G B>B | d>A B>B d>A B>B |

d>G B>B d>A B>B | B>d A>A G>B A>A :: A>{B}A e>e e>{d}c {B}B>d | g>e {G}G>B e{d}B/A/ B2 |

{G}A>{B}A e>e e>{d}c B>d | G>B A>A G>B A>A :: B>d B>d B>d B>d | B>d A>A B>d A>A |

d>{G}G d>{B}B d>{G}G d>{B}B | B>d A>A G>B A>A :|

..............

A' CHRIDHEALACHD/ A' CHRIODHAILEACHD. AKA and see "The Merry Making."

 

A' CHUACHAG. Scottish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 106.

X:1

T:A’ Chuachag

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

B:Stewart-Robertson – The Athole Collection  (1884)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

e|fedB dBAB|eeed feef|fedB dBAB|defe d2d:|

|:f|aefd eAAB|eeed feef|aefd eAAB|defe d2d:|

 

A' CHUTHAG. AKA and see "The Cuckoo [4]." Scottish, Slow Air (3/4 time).

 

A CLADAIRE NA BAIN LIOM. AKA and see "You Rogue You Dar'n't Meddle Me."

 

A CUISLE MO CROIDE. Irish, Air. G Major. Standard tuning. One part. Roche Collection, 1982; vol. I, pg. 29.

 

A DHOMHNUILL, A DHOMHNUILL.  AKA and see "Dhomhnuill, A."

 

A DHONNCHADH NA BI FOGARTHACH (Denis, Don’t be Threatening). AKA and see “Denis, Don’t be Threatening.” Irish, Air or Jig. The melody, which is related to the jig "Is it the priest you want?," appears in the Irish collector Edward Bunting's 1796 (No. 20, pg. 10) and 1809 (pg. 41) collections.

 

A, E AND D QUADRILLE.  AKA and see "Blue Bird Quadrille." Old‑Time, Quadrille. USA, Nebraska. A Major ('A' part), E Major ('B' part) & D Major ('C' part). Standard tuning. AABBCC. Source for notated version: Bob Walters (b. 1889, Burt County, Neb.) [Christeson].  R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, vol. 1), 1973; pg. 123. Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers' Association, Bob Walters - "Drunken Wagoneer."

 

A. G. A. QUADRILLE. American, Quadrille or Reel (cut time). U.S.A., North Dakota. E Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by Elvy Osborne (b. 1882); Osborne was a barber in Minot, N.D., who fiddled on the side. Pancerzewski (1988) notes that Osborne marked this tune "Minot, North Dakota, 1932." Pancerzewski (Pleasures of Home), 1988; pg. 2.

 

A GHAOITH O'N DEAS ("O Southern Breeze" or "O Wind from the South"). See "Perry's Victory," "Why Should Not Poor Folk?"

 

A hAON SA DÓ NA PÍOBAIREACHTA. AKA and see “The Ace and Deuce of Pipering.

 

A H-UISCHIDHE CHROIDHE NA N-ANMANN. AKA and see "Oh Whiskey, Heart of Souls [1]."

 

A LA MODE DE FRANCE. AKA and see "Nonesuch [1]." English, Country Dance Tune (2/2 or 4/4 time). E Minor (Chappell): D Major (Fleming‑Willliams). Standard tuning. AAB (Fleming‑Williams): AA'BB' (Chappell). Under this title it is found in Musick's Recreation on the Lyra Viol and Musick's Delight on the Cithren, sometimes in a major key. Chappell (Popular Music of the Olden Time), vol. 1, 1859; pg. 322. Fleming‑Williams & Shaw (English Dance Airs; Popular Selection, Book 1), 1965; pg. 9.

 

A LEANB MO CROIDE. AKA and see "Child of My Heart."

           

A. M. SHINNIE. Scottish, Jig. Composed by Scottish fiddler Angus Fitchet, who toured with Jimmy Shand’s dance band and with his own “Broadcasting Band.” Topic 12TS239. Topic TSCD 669, Will Atkinson (et al) – “Ranting and Reeling: Dance Music of the north of England” (1998).

                       

A MHAIRE NI CHUILLIONAIN. AKA and see "My Mary Cullenan."

 

A MHAIREAD OG. AKA and see "Young Margaret."

 


A MHÁIRE'S A MHÚIRNÍN. AKA and see "Oh, Mary, My Darling [1]."

 

A MHAIRI BHAN OG. AKA and see "Fair Young Mary."

 

A MHISG A CHUR AN NOLIG OIRN (Christmas Carousing). Scottish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. The Gaelic title is translated as ‘Christmas Carousing’. The word ‘carousing’ derives from the Danes. A rouse was a large glass that was filled with an alcoholic beverage for drinking a health; the drinking of the health by the assembled company formed a carouse. There could be no carouse unless the glasses were emptied (Hackwood, 1909). MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; pg. 14. The Seaforth Collection. Flying Fish FF 299, Battlefield Band ‑ "There's a Buzz" (1982. Appears as "Christmas Carousal"). Green Linnet GLCD1182, The Tannahill Weavers - “Choice Cuts 1987-1996.”

X:1

T:A Mhisg a chur an nolig oirn

T:Christmas Carousing

M:C

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:MacDonaldSkye Collection  (1887)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

a|eAA<A BGGB|A<Afe dBBa|eAA<A BGGB|A<Afe d2d:|

a|fdfa fdfa|eAef dBBf|fdfa fdfa|eAef d2 dg|

fdfa fdfa|eAef dBBe|daaf edef|gage d2d||

 

A MHUIRNIN (My Darling). Irish, Air. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AB. This air seems to be exclusive to Bunting's 1840 edition. Source for notated version: the Irish collector Edward Bunting noted the melody from Denis Hempson, the harper, at Magilligan, County Derry, in 1796.

 

A MHUIRNIN DILIS (Faithful Darling). Irish, Air. The melody appears in either or both of O’Farrell’s Pocket Companion for the Irish or Union Pipes and Collection of National Irish Music for the Union Pipes.

 

A' MONADH LIATH. AKA and see "The Sportsman's Haunt."

 

A NOCHD GUR FAOIN MO CHADAL dHOMH (Tonight My Sleep Will be Restless). Scottish, Air. G Mixolydian. Standard tuning. One part. Patrick MacDonald (Highland Vocal Airs), 1784; pg. 20, No. 129. Morison (Highland Airs and Quicksteps, vol. 2), c. 1882; No. 21, pg. 11. Culburnie CUL101, Alasdair Fraser - “Skye Dance.”

X:1

T:An nochd gur faoin mo chodal dhomh

T:Tonight sleep has forsaken me

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

S:MorisonHighland Airs and Quicksteps, vol. 2, No. 21 (c. 1882)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G Mixolydian

E>G G>G A>B D>D | E>G G>G A2 B2 | dB/A/ GG Ge dd | GB/A/ Bd e3d |

d>g gg g>B de | dB {B}AG E3D | G>D E>G e>d d>e | dB B/A/G G4 ||

 

A' PHIORBHUIC. AKA and see "The Periwig."

 

"A" POLKA #2. Irish, Polka. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 269, pg. 153.

 

‘A’ RABHAIS AG AN g-CARRAIG? See “Were you at the Rock?”

                       

A-ROVIN. AKA and see "Faithless Nancy Dawson."

 

A SAN MALO A BORD DE MER (San Malo by the Sea). Canadian, Set Dance (cut time). Canada, Prince Edward Island. G Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC. The tune is named for a French town in the region of that country where a majority of the Acadien population originated. The parts are irregular--the ‘A’ part has 10 measures, the ‘B’ four and the ‘C’ six. Source for notated version: Louise Arsenault (b. 1956, Mont Carmel, East Prince County, Prince Edward Island; now resides in Wellington) [Perlman]. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 152.

                       

A SHEADHAIN, A BHRATHAIR GHAOIL. AKA and see "Oh John, My Cousin."

                       

A SHEUMAIS A GHRADH. AKA and see "Jemmy My Love."

                       

A SPAILPÍN A RÚIN. AKA and see "Spailpín Rúin."

           

A STÓR MO CHROÍ. See “Stór mo chroí [1].”

           

A THAIDHG, A RÚN.  AKA and see “Rose in the Garden [1].”

           


A' THE NIGHTS O' THE YEAR, THE CHAPMAN DRINKS NAE WATER. Scottish. Composer John French (1753‑1803) had a set of this tune which so impressed the Scots national poet Robert Burns that, in 1793, he tried (via the town provost) to get copies of it (Alburger, 1983). A chapman is a beggar; to ‘chap’ a door means to knock on it.

           

A-TIOCFAD TY SIOS GO LUIMNEAC? AKA and see "Will You Come Down to Limerick?"

           

A U HINNY BURD. AKA ‑ "A.U.A." English, Air (2/4 time). England, Northumberland. C Major. Standard tuning. AB. Title appears (as "A U A") in Henry Robson's list of popular Northumbrian song and dance tunes ("The Northern Minstrel's Budget"), which he published c. 1800.

***

Its O but aw ken well

A U hinny burd

The bonny lass o' Benwell,

A U A;

She's lang‑legged and mother‑like,

A U hinny burd,

See she's rakingup the dyke,

A U A.                           (Bruce & Stokoe)

***

Bruce & Stokoe (Northumbrian Minstrelsy), 1882; pg. 120.

X:1

T:A U Hinny Burd

L:1/8

M:2/4

S: Bruce & StokoeNorthumbrian Minstrelsy  (1882)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C

G|c2 ec|B2d2|G2 (Bc)|dg BG|cc ec|B2d2|G2 (AB)|c3||c|

(fe) df|ee c2|G2 (Bc)|dg (BG)|fe df|ee c2|G2 (AB)|c3||

                       

'A' WALTZ. Old-Time, Waltz. USA, Missouri. A Major. Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers' Association, Pete McMahon - "Kansas City Rag."

                       

A' WILLIE, WE HAVE MISS'D YOU. Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 126. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 164.

X:1

T:A’ Willie, We Have Miss’d You

M:C
L:1/8

R:Strathspey

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

d’ | (b<c) (b>.a) (b<e) (e>.d’) | (b<c) (b>.a) (d’<d(d<.d’) | (b<e) b>a b>fg>e | d>BA>a (f<d) d>d’ |

(b<e) a>a (b<e) e>d’ | (b<e) b>a (d’<d) d>d’ | (b<e) b>a b>fg>e | d>BA>a (f<d)d ||

G | (E/G/e) (G>.e) (B<E) E>.G | (E/B/e) G>.e (d<D) D>G | (E/B/e) G>e B>eg>e | d>BA>B (G<E) E>G |

(E/B/e) G>e (B<E) E>G | (E/B/e) G>e (d<D) D>G | (E/B/e) G>e B>eg>b | (d’/c’/b/a/) d’>a (f<d)d ||

                       

AA THE SHIPS ARE SAILING. Shetland, Shetland Reel. Shetland, Nesting.

                       

AALD HILL GRIN(N)D, DA. Shetland, Jig. G Major ('A' part) & D Major ('B' part). Standard tuning. One part. This traditional tune was originally collected without a title and later named by a founder member of the Shetland Folk Society, Peter Moar. Anderson and Georgeson note the tune can be used for a Boston two‑step. Source for notated version: J.J. Stickle (Unst, Shetland) [Anderson & Georgeson]. Anderson & Georgeson (Da Mirrie Dancers), 1970; pg. 17. Bain (50 Fiddle Solos), 1989; pg. 12.

                       

AALD REEL... See "Muckle Reel."

                       

AALD REEL O WHALSAY, DA. Shetland, Reel. D Major. ADae tuning. One part. "During a symposium at the School of Scottish Studies in the mid‑1960's on Scottish, Shetland and Scandinavian music, the Norwegian Hardanger fiddler Magne Manheim pointed out that the Aald Reel o Whalsay closely resembled part of a Norwegian Halling, and it is likely that all the Muckle Reels were of Norwegian derivation" (Anderson & Georgeson, 1970). See also note for "Muckle Reel o Finnigirt." Source for notated version: John Irvine (Saltness, Whalsay, Shetland) [Anderson & Georgeson]. Anderson & Georgeson (Da Mirrie Dancers), 1970; pg. 10.


                       

AALD WIFE AHUNT THE FIRE, THE. Shetland. Cooke (1986) prints the following text to this dance tune, in oral tradition in the Shetlands in the 1970's:

***

The aald wife behunt the fire,

The aald wife behunt the fire,

The aald wife behunt the fire,

She deed for want of sneezing

She neether deed for kale or salt

She deed for a werrer fault

She deed for want of sneezing.

                       

AALD WIFE O NIDDISTER, DA. AKA and see "Taste Da Green." Shetland, Shetland Reel.

                       

AANDOWIN AT DA BOW(E). Shetland, Shetland Reel. Shetland, widely known in the islands. G Major. Standard tuning. AAB (Hunter, Martin, Martin & Hughes): AABB' (Cooke). A good example of an indigenous Shetland reel, states Peter Cooke, identified by Anderson & Georgeson (1970) as supposed to have been composed by a fiddler from Muckle Row, Shetland. Tom Anderson (1978) explains the title refers to the action of keeping a fishing boat steady in one place by means of "iddling" with the oars while the lines are out. The 'bow' referred to in the title is a marker buoy. Cooke (1986) prints the following text sung with this dance tune, of more recent composition than the tune and in oral tradition in the Shetlands in the 1970's:

***

No gaen forward, no gaen trow

Bidin aboot ae place, Aandowin at da bow.