The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

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[COMMENT1] [COMMENT2] 

DAN - DAR

[COMMENT3] 

 

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]

 

 

[COMMENT4] 

DAN BACKUS' FAVORITE. AKA and see “Jim Coleman’s [1],” “Liverpool Jack’s,” “Miss McGuinness [3],” “Take Your Choice,” “Terence’s Ramble.” American, Reel. F Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 30. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pgs. 32, 46, 56.

X:1

T:Dan Backus’ Favorite

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collecton (1883)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:F

(f/d/)|:(c/F/).F/.F/ c/F/A/c/|d/e/f/g/ a/g/f/d/|(c/F/).F/.F/ c/F/A/c/|.d(c/A/) (A/G/).G|

(c/F/).F/.F/ c/F/A/c/|d/e/f/g/ a/g/f/d/|(c/F/).F/.F/ c/F/A/c/|.d(c/A/) (A/G/).G:|

|:.g(a/g/) f/d/d/f/|d/f/c/f/ d/f/c/f/|.g(a/g/) f/d/d/f/|f/d/c/A/ (A/G/).G|.g(a/g/) f/d/d/f/|

d/f/c/f/ d/f/c/f/|(a/g/).f/.a/ g/f/d/e/|(f/d/).c/.A/ (A/G/).G:|

                       

DAN BREEN'S REEL. AKA and see “Breen’s,” “Kevin Burke’s,” “The Shepherd’s Daughter [1].” Irish, Reel. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AB. Kevin Burke recorded the tune as “The Shepherd’s Daughter,” an obviously influential recording as several recordings subsequently appeared with the tune under the title “Kevin Burke’s.” However, “Dan Breen’s” appears to be similar to the tune “The Shepherd’s Daughter” in only one part, leading perhaps to a confusion of titles. Source for notated version: flute player James Murray (b. 1947, Ougham, outside Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo) [Flaherty]. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1974, vol. 1, No. 35. Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1990; pg. 171. Tubridy (Irish Traditional Music, Book Two), 1999; pg. 16. Vallely (Play Tin Whistle with the Armagh Pipers Club), vol. 3; 17. Green Linnet SIF‑1109, Altan ‑ "The Red Crow" (1990. Appears as “Breen’s”). The Chieftains #1. Folan & Davey (appears as “Marice Lennon’s”).

X:1

T:Dan Breen’s Reel

L:1/8

M:C|

K:A Dorian

gf|~e2 dB ABAG|EAAG A2 gf|eBdB ABAG|EDEG G2 Bd|e2 dB ABAG|

EAAG A2 gf|e2 dB ABAG|EDEG G2||Bd|e2 ge edBd|eAAG eAAG|

e2 ge edBe|d2 ef g2 fg|e2 ge edBd|eA ~A2 BA (3Bcd|e2 ge edBc|d2 ef g2||

X:2

T:Dan Breen’s

T:Breen’s

R:reel

D:Chieftains 1

D:Altan: The Red Crow

Z:id:hn-reel-132

Z:transcribed by henrik.norbeck@mailbox.swipnet.se

M:C|
L:1/8

K:A Dorian

e2dB ABAG|EAAG A2Bd|e2dB ABAG|1 EGGF G2gf:|2 EDEG G2Bd||

|:e2ge edBd|eA~A2 eA~A2|e2ge edBd|d2ef g2fg:|

“variations”

|:e2ge cA{c}BG|EA{c}AG ABcd|~e2dB cA{c}BG|EG{A}GF ~G2 (3Bcd:|

|:e2ge {a}ed (3Bcd|ea{c’}ag efge|~e2ge {a}ed Bc|1 ~d2ef g2fg:|2 d2ef g2 (3Bcd||

X:3

T:Shepherd’s Daughter

T:Dan Breen’s

M:C|

L:1/8

Z:Mike Hogan

K:E Dorian
~B2 AF ~E3D | B,EED EFGA| B2 AF ~E3D| B,DDB, DEFA |!
~B2 AF ~E3D | B,EED EFGA| (3Bcd AF ~E3D| B,DDB, DEFA ||!
B3d BAFA| B~E3 BAFA|~B2dB  BAFG| A2Bc d2cd|!
B3d BAFA| B~E3 BAFA|~B3d BAFG| A2Bc d2cd|!

                       

DAN CAMERON’S FAVORITE. AKA and see “Miss Gayton’s Hornpipe.” O’Neill prints the tune as “Sailor’s Hornpipe [3].”

                       

DAN CARTER WALTZ. Old‑Time, Waltz. USA, western North Carolina. An original composition of North Carolina banjoist and fiddler Oscar Jenkins. County 723, Fred Cockerham, Tommy Jarrell & Oscar Jenkins ‑ "Back Home in the Blue Ridge."

                       

DAN CLEARY’S FAVOURITE.  Irish, Reel. Composed by County Tipperary fiddler Seán Ryan (d. 1985). Ryan (Seán Ryan’s Dream), 8.

 

DAN COAKLEY’S POLKA. Irish, Polka. G Major/E Dorian. Standard. AABB. Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; No. 42, pg. 141. Cranitch (Irish Session Tunes: Red Book), 2000; 42. Mallinson (101 Polkas), 1997; No. 15, pg. 7


                                                                                               

DAN COLLIN’S FATHER’S JIG. AKA and see “Bill Collins',” “Johnny Dennehy’s.” Irish, Jig. D Major. AABB. Said to be an old County Cork tune transmitted by William Collins, an older Kerry fiddler who now makes his home in New York City. Bill Black (1996) identifies Bill Collins as from Meelin, County Cork, father of Shanachie records founder Dan Collins. The tune is sometimes called “The Hearty Boys of Ballymoate,” actually the name of another tune, after it was recorded by the group De Dannan in a set called “The Hearty Boys…”; “Bill Collins” was the untitled follow-up tune. See also note for “Bill Collins.” Source for notated version: a recording of fiddler Frankie Gavin via Jerry Holland (Inverness, Cape Breton) [Cranford]; fiddler Dan Collins [Black]. Black (Music’s the Very Best Thing), 1996; No. 7, pg. 4. Cranford (Jerry Holland), 1995; No. 232, pg. 67. Fiddlesticks cass., Jerry Holland - “Lively Steps” (1987). Green Linnet, Jerry Holland - “The Fiddlesticks Collection” (1995). Sugar Hill SU1130, De Danann - “Song for Ireland” (follows “The Hearty Boys of Ballymote”).

X:1

T: Dan Collins' Father's Jig

S: De Danann (name from Dan Collins)

Z: transcribed by B.Black

Q: 300

R: jig

M: 6/8

L: 1/8

K: D

A | ded BAB | def a2 a | baf ede | fdB BAB |

ded BAB | def a2 a | baf ede | fdc d2 :|

e | faa faa | afe f2 f | aba f2 e | dBA BAB |

ded BAB | def a2 a | baf ede | fdc d2 :|

                       

DAN CORMIER’S. Canadian, Hornpipe. Canada, Cape Breton. A Major. Standard. AABB’. Composed by fiddler Brenda Stubbert (b. 1959, Point Aconi, Cape Breton). Cranford (Brenda Stubbert’s), 1994; No. 13, pg. 6.

                       

DAN DEIRG.  Scottish, Slow Air (4/4 time). A Minor. Standard. One part. “Very old,” notes Morison. Morison (Highland Airs and Quicksteps, vol. 2), c. 1882; No. 19, pg. 9.

X:1

T:Dan Deirg

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Slow”

S:Morison – Highland Airs and Quicksteps, vol. 2, No. 19 (c. 1882)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Minor

A | AG/A/ {A}cA/G/ {G}AG/E/ D2 | AG/A/ cA/G/ {G}AG/E/ D2 |

C>C d>d {d}ed/c/ {d}cA/G/ | GA/c/ {d}d2 {d}cA/G/ ED/C/ | {c}AG/A/ {A}cA/G/ {G}AG/E/ D ||

 

DAN DOWD’S. Irish, Jig. The tune is “The Nightingale [6],” a composition of Seán Ryan. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), Vol. 4, No. 61.

                                   

DAN FRIEND'S PIECE. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, West Virginia. A Mixolydian. Standard. ABB'. See also variants “Rainy Day [2],” “Hell Against the Barn Door,” and, in the Midwest, “Yankee Squirrel Hunter” and “Squirrel Hunter.”  Source Ernie Carpenter named the tune after the fiddler from whom he learned it. Source for notated version: Ernie Carpenter (Braxton County, W.Va.) [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, Vol. 1), 1994; pg. 65.

           

DAN GAY.  English, Air (3/4 time). G Major. Standard. AB. Geoghegan (Compleat Tutor for the Pastoral or New Bagpipes), c. 1745-46; pg. 28.

X:1

T:Dan Gay

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

S:Geoghegan – Compleat Tutor for the Pastoral or New Bagpipe (c. 1745-46)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

G2 | ({B/c/}d2) (cB)(AG) | {B}F4GG | (AB) c2B2 | {B}A4AA | (Bc) d2A2 | (FG)(AF)(GE) | D4 ||

AA | d2 (AB)(cd) | {c}B4d2 | g2 (de)(=fg) | {f}e4 c{d}e | d2 (cB)(AG) | AB c2B2 | {B}A2 z2gf |

E2({G}F2)G2 | (3cBA {G}”tr”F3G | G4 ||

           

DAN GALBEY’S. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. Recorded by Cape Breton fiddler Howie MacDonald under this title, it is a version of "Maud(e) Millar [2],” in O’Neill and “Magic Slipper [1]” in Ryan’s Mammoth Collection.

 

DAN HARRY BURTON. Canadian, Jig. Canada, Cape Breton. D Major. Standard. AA’BB’. Composed by fiddler Brenda Stubbert (b. 1959, Point Aconi, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). Cranford (Brenda Stubbert’s), 1994; No. 100, pg. 36. Brenda Stubbert - “Tamerack ‘er Down” (1985).

 

DAN HUGHIE MACEACHERN'S REEL. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. F Major. Standard. AABB'. Composed by Antigonish, Nova Scotia, fiddler Jackie Dunn in honor of her uncle, fiddler Dan Hughie MacEachern. Cook (Night in the Kitchen Collection), 1996; pg. 36.

 

DAN HUGHIE’S STYLE. Canadian, Jig. Canada, Cape Breton. G Dorian. Standard. AABB’. Composed by fiddler Brenda Stubbert (b. 1959, Point Aconi, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). Cranford (Brenda Stubbert’s), 1994; No. 123, pg. 42.

 


DAN J. CAMPBELL REEL, A. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. D Major. Standard. AB. A double-tonic reel. Source for notated version: John Campbell (Cape Breton) [Dunlay & Greenberg]. Dunlay & Greenberg (Traditional Celtic Violin Music of Cape Breton), 1996; pg. 78. JC 125, John Campbell - “Sound of Cape Breton” (1980. Appears as “Traditional Reel”). DMP6-27-2-4, Doug MacPhee - “The Reel of Tulloch” (1985. Appears as “A Dan J. Campbell Reel”). WMT002, Wendy MacIsaac – “That’s What You Get” (1997?).

 

DAN J. CAMPBELL STRATHSPEY, A. Canadian, Strathspey. Canada, Cape Breton. D Major. Standard. AAB. Source for notated version: Dan J. Campbell (Cape Breton) [Dunlay & Greenberg]. Dunlay & Greenberg (Traditional Celtic Violin Music of Cape Breton), 1996; pg. 72. AMI-92, Ashley MacIsaac - “Close to the Floor”(1992. Appears as “Traditional Strathspey”). JC 123, John Campbell  - “Heritage Remembered” (1978. Appears as 2nd of “Two Traditional Strathspeys”). DMP6-27-2-4, Doug MacPhee - “The Reel of Tulloch” (1985). RMD-CAS1, Rodney MacDonald - “Dancer’s Delight” (1995. Appears as “Traditional Strathspey”). 

 

DAN KELLY'S PERJURY. Irish, Slow Air (4/4 time). F Major. Standard. One part. "There was a Ninety‑eight song to this air" (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Songs), 1909; No. 580, pg. 304.

 

DAN LOWRY’S. AKA and see “The Galway Hornpipe [1],” “McDermott’s Hornpipe [1],” “McDonaugh’s Clog.” Irish, Hornpipe. The title refers to a Dublin theatrical man and the name of a theater of the late 19th century. Caoimhin Mac Aoidh (1994) explains that O’Neill’s source was a fiddler named Joe Timoney, known in Donegal as Joe Phaedar Sheain Ó Tiomanai, who was born and raised at Min a tSamhaidh, Fintown, Donegal, and who was the great-great-great-great-great grandson of the reknowned poet Tadhg An Fhile O’Tionamai An Aighe. Timoney emigrated to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century and arrived in San Francisco just after the great earthquake of 1906. O’Neill (Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody), 1922; No. 311.

X:1

T:Dan Lowry's Hornpipe

M:4/4

L:1/8

S:Joseph P. Tamony, San Francisco

Z:Paul Kinder

R:Hornpipe

K:D

sFEs|D2 FA dAFD|CDEF G2 sFEs|D2 (3FGA d2 cd|edcB (3ABA (3GFE|

D2 sFAs dAFD|CDEF G2 sFGs|AdcB (3ABA (3GFE|D2 F2 D2:|

|:de|fdfg fedc|BABc B2 cd|edef edcB|(3AAA ce f2 (3ABc|

dcde fdAF|EDEF G2 FG|AdcB (3ABA (3GFE|D2 F2 D2:||

 

DAN MACDONALD. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB’. Written in honor of Dan R. MacDonald, influential Cape Breton fiddler, by fiddler Brenda Stubbert (b. 1959, Point Aconi, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). Cranford (Brenda Stubbert’s), 1994; No. 52, pg. 19. Brenda Stubbert - “Tamerack ‘er Down” (1985).

 

DAN MACK’S. See “Dan Mac’s Polka.”

 

DAN MAC'S POLKA. AKA – “Dan Mack’s.” AKA and see “Jack Mitchell’s Polka,” “Jerome Burke’s,” “The Newmarket Polka [2]." Irish, Polka. D Major. Standard. AABB. Mallinson (100 Polkas), 1997; No. 33, pg. 13. Green Linnet SIF‑1105, Patrick Street ‑ "Irish Times" (1989. Appears as 2nd tune of "The Newmarket Polkas").

X:1

T:Dan Mac's

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Polka

K:D

|:DF AF/2A/2|dcBc|EF GF/2G/2|BAF2 | DF AF/2A/2|dc Bc|EF G/2B/2A/2F/2|DF Dz:|

|:fA fA|fA f2|eB eB| B/2c/2d e2 | fA fA|fA f2|eB B/2c/2d|ed dz:||

 

DAN McCART(H)Y'S FANCY (Roga Domnaill Mic Cartaig). AKA and see “The Clogher Reel,” “Country Girl’s Fortune,” “The Flowers of Red Hill [2],” “The Hills of Clogher.” Irish, Reel. A Mixolydian (O'Neill/Krassen): A Major/Mixolydian (O'Neill/1001): A Major (O'Neill/1850). Standard. AA'B. See also the related “Pigeon on the Gate [1].” O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 111. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 548, pg. 102. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1283, pg. 241.

X:1

T:Dan McCarty’s Fancy

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (548)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A

gf|eA (3AAA e=gfg|eA (3AAA efdf|eA (3AAA egfa|1 =gedB Agfg:|2 =gedB ABcd||

ea {b}(3aga bgag|eaag (3ef=g dg|ea {b}(3aga baga|=gedB ABcd|ea {b}(3aga bgag|

eaag efdf|dega bgaf|=gedB A2||

 


DAN O’CONNELL’S FAVOURITE. Irish, Polka. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB (Moylan): AA’BB’ (Taylor). Source O’Leary used to pair this tune with “Tom Billy’s (Polka) [2].” Source for notated version: accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border), recorded in recital at Na Piobairi Uilleann, February, 1981 [Moylan]; set dance music recorded at Na Píobairí Uilleann in the 1980’s [Taylor]. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary), 1994; No. 221, pg. 128. Taylor (Music for the Sets: Yellow Book), 1995; pg. 12.

 

DAN OISEIN. AKA and see "Ossianic Air."

 

DAN O'KEEFFE'S SLIDE [1] (Sleamhnán Dhónaill Uí Chaoimh). AKA and see “Danny Ab’s Slide [1].”  Irish, Slide (12/8 time). Ireland, Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border. G Major (Breathnach, Cranitch, Mallinson): D Major (Moylan). Standard tuning. AABB (Cranitch, Mallinson, Moylan): AA'BB' (Breathnach). The tune was recorded Seamus Ennis in 1952, from the playing of Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford, who called it “Danny Ab’s,” their source for the tune(s).  Sources for notated versions: fiddlers Julia Clifford & Denis Murphy (west Kerry, Ireland) [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRE III), 1985; No. 45, pg. 21. Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; No. 25, pg. 134 (appears as “Danny Ab’s Slide”). Cranitch (Irish Session Tunes: Red Book), 2000; 25. Mallinson (Enduring), 1995; No. 62, pg. 27 (appears as “Dan O’Keeffe’s No. 2). Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 1977; vol. 1, No. 26 (appears as untitled slip jig). Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 2nd Edition, 2006; pg. 45. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary), 1994; No. 176, pg. 101. Vallely (Learn to Play the Tin Whistle with the Armagh Pipers Club), vol. 1, No. 18(a). Claddagh Records CC5, Denis Murphy & Julia Clifford ‑ "The Star above the Garter." Topic 12T309, Padraig O’Keeffe, Denis Murphy & Julia Clifford - "Kerry Fiddles: Music of Sliabh Luachra, vol 1" (1977).

See also listing at: 

Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info

X:1

T:Danny Ab's (1)

T:Dan O'Keeffe's Slide [1]

D:"Kerry Fiddles", Padraig O'Keeffe, Denis Murphy & Julia Clifford

D:"The Star Above The Garter", Denis Murphy & Julia Clifford

B:Ceol Rince na hÉireann III, no. 45

R:slide

M:12/8

L:1/8

Z:Transcribed by Paul de Grae

K:G

GA ||: B2 B {d}cBc d2 d d2 e | dBG dBG ABc AGA |

B2 B {d}cBc {de}d2 B d2 g |1 fed cBA G3 {Bc}B2 A :||

2 fed cBA G3 GBd |||: g2 d B2 g f2 d B c2 | ded c2 A ~d3 B2 d | g2 d B2 g f2 d B<cB |

1 ABc def {a}g3 {a }g2 f :|| 2 ABc def g3 g2 z ||

 

DAN O’KEEFFE’S SLIDE [2]. AKA and see “Danny Ab’s Slide [2].” Irish, Slide (12/8 time). A Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. Breathnach (CRE II), No. 86 (appears as untitled slide). Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), vol. 2, 57. Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; No. 26, pg. 135. Cranitch (Irish Session Tunes: Red Book), 2000; 26. Mallinson (Enduring), 1995; No. 61, pg. 27 (appears as “Dan O’Keeffe’s No. 1"). Vallely (Learn to Play the Tin Whistle with the Armagh Pipers Club), vol. 1, No. 18(b).

X:1

T:Dan O'Keefe's Slide [2]

R:Slide

O:Ireland

M:12/8

K:ADor

"Am"A2e e2d "G"BAB d2B|"Am"A2e e2d "G"B2G GFG| "Am"A2e e2d "G"BAB d3|

"G"BAB d2e "Am"B2A A3:: "Am"e2a a2b "Am"a2g e2d|"Am"e2a a2b "Am"a2f e2f|

"C"g2a g2e "G"dBA G3| "G"BAB d2e "Am"B2A A3:|

 

DAN O’LEARY’S [1]. AKA and see “The Barren Rocks of Aden.” Irish, Polka. Ireland, Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border. D Major. Standard tuning. AABBCC. This is the Scottish pipe tune “Barren Rocks of Aden.” Source for notated version: fiddler Dan O’Leary via his nephew, accordion player Johnny O’Leary (b. 1920's, Sliabh Luachra region, Kerry), recorded in December, 1986 at Knocknagree, Kerry [Moylan]. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary), 1994; No. 44, pgs. 26-27.

 

DAN O’LEARY’S [2]. AKA and see “Captain Maguire,” “Humours of Listowel [1],” “Johnny O’Leary’s [1],” “Maids of Ardagh,” “Sliabh Mhachaire [1],” “Toormore Polka [2],” “Tournmore Polka,” “Tuar Mór Polka [2],” “Wallace’s Cross.”  Irish, Polka. Ireland, Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source O’Leary stated he had the tune from his uncle, Dan O’Leary and maintained Dan had it from Tom Billy Murphy (father of fiddler Denis Murphy), not Padraig O’Keeffe.  Source for notated version: accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Slaibh Luachra region), recorded at Na Píobairí Uillean, October, 1984 [Moylan]. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary), 1994; No. 140, pg. 82.