The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

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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, 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]

 

 

 

E AN SAGART?, AN  AKA and see "Is it the priest you want?"

           

E FLAT REEL, THE. Canadian, Hornpipe. Canada, Cape Breton. Composed by Cape Breton musician J.P. Cormier. Rounder CD 11661-7033-2, Natalie MacMaster – “My Roots are Showing” (2000).

 

E PLURIBUS UNUM. American, March (6/8 time). USA, southwestern Pa. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. This fife tune is presumed to be American, states Bayard (1981), who indicates it was held in esteem by martial bands in Pennsylvania.  Sources for notated versions: Hoge MS and Hiram Horner (Westmoreland and Fayette Counties, Pa., 1960) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 622, pg. 547.

           

E TO E REEL. Irish, Reel. E Minor. Standard. AA’BB’. A modern composition by Ciaran O’Grady. Sin É.

X:1
T:E to E reel
R:reel
D:Sin E
Z:id:hn-reel-574

Z:transcribed by henrik.norbeck@mailbox.swipnet.se
M:C|

L:1/8
K:Em
eE~E2 GFEB,|CDEG FABd|eE~E2 GFEA|Bdef gefd|
eE~E2 GFEB,|CDEG FAdc|BG~G2 ADFA|1 (3Bcd AF E2Bd:|2 BdAF EFGA||
|:Beef geag|fdAG FGAc|BG~G2 AFdF|eFdF BFAF|
E2ef geag|fdAG FGAc|BG~G2 ADFA|1 (3Bcd AF EFGA:|2 BdAF E2Bd||

                       

EACH AILMENT BUT LOVE (Gach tinneas ach gaol). Scottish, Slow Air (6/8 time). C Major. Standard. AABB. "This melody was acquired through the gentlemen mentioned in the prospectus, but is one of those to which it is impossible at this period to attach incident" (Fraser). Fraser (The Airs and Melodies Peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland and the Isles), 1874; No. 126, pg. 50.

X:1

T:Each ailment but love

T:Gach tinneas ach gaol

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Slow Air

S:Fraser Collection  (1874)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:C

E/F/|Gcc c>de|GEE E2 E/F/|Gcc c>d/e/E/|EDD D2 E/F/|Gcc c>de|

C>E/G/4c/4e/4f/4 g2 g/4a/4g/4f/4|e>d/c/B/ cBA|GEE E2:|

|:(3c/B/A/|GEE cEE|GEE E2 (3c/B/A/|GEE cEE|DDD D2 (3c/B/A/|

GEE cEE| C>E/G/4c/4e/4f/4 g2 g/4a/4g/4f/4|e>d/c/B/ c>BA|

GEE E2 (3c’/b/a/|gee c’ee|gee e2 (3c’/b/a/|gee c’ee|ddd d2 (3c’/b/a/|

gee c’ee|c/B/c/d/e/f/ g2 g/4a/4g/4f/4|e>d/c/B/ cBA|GEE E2:|

           

EACH NIGHT WHEN I SLUMBER. Irish, Air (4/4 time). E Minor. Standard. One part (Joyce): AB (Stanford/Petrie). "The words of this song show that it was composed in the time of the American War of Independence, that is, at the end of the eighteenth century. I never saw either words or air printed in any shape or form: they have been simply preserved in my own memory as I learned them unconsciously from hearing them sung at home when I was a boy" (Joyce). Source for notated version: “From Mr. Joyce” [Stanford/Petrie]. Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 390, pgs. 197‑198. Stanford/Petrie  (Complete Collection), 1905; No. 832, pg. 208.

X:1

T:Each night when I slumber

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

S:Standford/Petrie (1905), No. 832

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E Minor

c/d/ | ee de | c2 BA | AG Bd | d3d | ee de | c2 B/A/G/E/ | A>G EE |

E3 || B/A/ | GE GA/B/ | c2 de | EE E/D/E | G2 A/G/E/D/ | EA AB |

c2 B/A/G/E/ | A>G EE | E2 ||

           

EADOTCAS NA bPIOBAIRI. AKA and see "The Piper's Despair."

           

EAGAN’S. AKA and see “Humours of Castlefinn.” Irish, Reel. The tune by this title appears on Paddy Canny and P.J.Hayes' famous 1960 recording.

           

EAGLE HORNPIPE. Old‑Time. Caney Mountain Records CEP 208 (privately issued extended play LP), Lonnie Robertson (Mo.), c. 1965‑66.

           

EAGLE'S NEST, THE. AKA and see "Billy Patterson(‘s Favorite)," "The Blackthorn Stick [1],” "Boys of Rockhill/Bockhill," "The Catholic Boys [3]," "The Coach Road to Sligo [1]," "Fire on the Mountain(s) [2]," "Fire in the Valley," "The Hare on the Mountain," "The Humors of Bantry," “The Maid(en) on the Green,” "The Rose on the Mountain [1]."

           

EAGLE’S TUNE. See “Eagle’s Whistle [1].”

           


EAGLE'S WHISTLE [1], THE. AKA ‑ "The Eagle's Tune," "Fead an Iolair,” “Fead an Fhiolair." Irish, March (2/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. One part (Vallely): AAB (Joyce, O’Neill). Joyce (1873) identifies this as the marching tune of the O’Donovans whose ancient lands consisted of the territory of Hy Fidhgheinte, a district lying west of the river Maigue in county Limerick. "I gave a setting of this in my Ancient Irish Music {”Eagle’s Whistle [2]"}: and there are two others in the Stanford‑Petrie Collection. These three are in 3/4 time: whereas the setting I now give is in 2/4, which is no doubt the proper original form, inasmuch as this was the marching tune of the O'Donovans (see my Ancient Irish Music, p. 53). The Cork MS. has this remark:‑‑'The legend tells that with this tune the eagle whistles his young to rest'" (Joyce)./ Bayard believes this tune to be the common ancestor to the "Bonaparte's Retreat [1]" family of tunes (see Bayard's (1944) note for Bonaparte's Retreat," No. 87), even though most Irish versions seem to be in triple meter. Hannagan and Clandillon, "Londubh an Chairn," No. 22, (lullaby version). Henerbry, Handbook, p. 212. JFSS, VII, 171 (appears as "Frog Dance"). Joyce (Ancient Irish Music) 1872, No. 53. Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 361, pg. 166. O'Neill (O’Neill’s Irish Music), 1915/1987; No. 41, pg. 28 (appears as "The Eagle's Tune"). Petrie, No. 1424. Vallely (Learn to Play the Fiddle with Armagh Pipers Club), 197?; pg. 21. Flying Fish FF‑407, Robin Williamson ‑ "Winter's Turning" (1986). Flying Fish FF 70572, Frank Ferrel – “Yankee Dreams: Wicked Good Fiddling from New England” (1991. Learned from Shetland fiddler Aly Bain). Green Linnet GLCD 3127, Sharon Shannon – “The Best of Sharon Shannon: Spellbound” (1999. Appears as “Fead an Fhiolair/Cry of the Eagles,” first tune of “Kids”).

X:1

T:Eagle’s Whistle, The [1]

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:March

S:JoyceOld Irish Folk Music and Songs  (1909)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

G/ | BB d/B/A/G/ | BB d/B/A/G/ | BAA B/G/ | BAA B/G/ | BB d/B/A/G/| BB d/B/A/G/ |

EG GG>A | EG/G/ (GG/) :| d/ | e/d/e/f/ ed/B/ | e/B/d/g/ dB/A/ | dg d/B/A/G/ | BAA B/G/ |

e/d/e/f/ ed/B/ | d/B/d/g/ dB/A/ | Bg/e/ d/B/A/G/ | EG/G/ (G G/) ||

 

EAGLE’S WHISTLE [2], THE (Fead an Iolair). AKA and see "O'Donovan's March." Irish, Air or March (3/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AB. P.W. Joyce (Ancient Irish Music, 1873) notes: “This was the marching tune of the family of the O’Donovans, who were anciently chiefs of the territory of Hy Fidhgheinte, a district lying west of the river Maigue in the county Limerick.” Sources for notated versions: “Taken down from the whistling of James Quain and of Michael Dinneen, both of Coolfree [Joyce]; piper and folklorist Seamus Ennis [Heymann]. Heymann (Secrets of the Gaelic Harp), 1988; pg. 109. Joyce (Ancient Irish Music), 1890; No. 53, pg. 53.  "Michael Tubridy." Shanachie 78012, Joe & Antoinette McKenna - "The Best of…"

X:1

T:Eagle's Whistle, The
M:3/4
L:1/8
Q:110
R:Irish Air
K:G
D GA|: "G" B2 dBAG| BA/B/ dB AG| "D" A 2 A>B/ AG| A2 D2-D2| "G" B2 dB AG|
BA/B/ dB AB/A/| G2 GB "D" AB/A/|1 "G" G2 GD GA:|2 "G" G2 GA Bd
|: "C" ef/e/ de gf| ef/e/ dB AG| "D" A2 A>B AG| A2 A2 Bd| "C" ef/e/ de g f|
ef/e/ dB AB/A/| "G" G2 GB "D"AB/A/|1"G"G2 GA Bd:|2 "G" G3||

X:2

T:Fead an Iolair

T:Eagle’s Whistle, The

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Marching Time”

S:P.W. Joyce – Ancient Irish Music (1873), No. 53.

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

B2 dB AG|B2 dB AG|A2 AB AG|A2 AB AG|B2 dB AG|B2 dB AB|

G2 GB AF|G2 GB AG||e2 dB gd|e2 dB AG|A2 AB AG|A2 AB AG|

e2 dB gd|e2 dB AB|G2 GB AF|G2 GB AG||

 

EAGLE’S WHISTLE [3], THE. Irish, Air (3/4 time). D Major: F Major. Standard tuning. AB. A 3/4 time setting of “Eagle’s Whistle [1]." George Petrie notes the versions he gives are from P. Carew’s MS. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; Nos. 305 & 306, pg. 76.

 

EAGLE'S WHISTLE [4], THE (Fead An Iolair). Irish, Air (4/4 time). Ireland, Munster. D Major. Standard tuning. ABC. "Since printing 'The Eagle's Whistle' [1] at page 166 I have come across another version in a small Munster MS. book belonging to the Forde Collection: but there is no statement as to the source from which it was procured. It is strikingly different from the former setting, so much so that some might consider it a different melody" (Joyce). Indeed, the relationship to the above versions is quite distant, though recognizable. Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 649, pgs. 327‑328.

           

EALAIDH GHAOIL.  AKA – “Air faillirinn illirinn.” Scottish, Air (6/8 time). D Dorian. Standard tuning. AB. Christine Martin notes that pipers call the tune “Not the Swan on the Lake.” She says words to the song were written by Ewan MacLaughlin (b. 1775, Fort William, Scotland), and that the melody is attributed to a Mrs. MacKenzie. Source for notated version: fiddler Ian Kennedy (Fort William, Scotland) [Martin]. Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; pg. 64.

 

EALAÍN AN TINCÉARA. AKA and see “The Tinker’s Occupation.”

                          

EALS FOR EVER. English, Hornpipe. England, Northumberland. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by Robert Whinham (1814-1893), a musician, teacher, composer, dancing master and fiddler, originally from Morpeth. Graham Dixon (1995) notes that Eals is a hamlet on the banks of the South River Tyne, between Alston and Haltwhistle, Northumberland. Source for notated version: an un-attributed 19th century manuscript in the Beamish Museum [Dixon]. Dixon (Remember Me), 1995; pg. 38.

                                      

ÉAMONN A' CHNUIC (Nos na Ronne). AKA and see "Ned of the Hill [1]," “Edmond of the Hill.” Irish, Air (3/4). G Major. Standard tuning. One Part (Ó Canainn): AB (O’Farrell, Roche). The melody first appears in the appendix to Walker’s Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards (1786). The song tells of Edmund Ryan of the Hill (Éamonn a' Chnuic), of Knockmeoil Castle, County Tipperary, an Irish earl who refused to go into exile and instead chose to stay on in Ireland after the Battle of the Boyne to fight the English. One of the rapparees o f the era, Éamonn had been forced into outlawry as the result of a altercation with a tax collector, and by 1702 had a price of 200 pounds on his head. He found some shelter for a time with an old lover but at the end was killed by a neighbour who had similarly offered him safe haven, but who betrayed him for English reward money (only to find that the reward had recently been withdrawn due to a service Edmund had performed for an Englishman). Éamonn was an associate of Sarsfield's famous scout "Galloping Hogan" (see "Galloping O'Hogan"). An English translation of the lyrics goes thus:

***

Who is that outside with anger in his voice beating my closed door?

I am Éamann of the Hill, soakend through and wet

From constant walking of mountains and glens

My love, fond and true, what else could I do

but shield you from wind and from weather?

When the shot falls like hail, they us both shall assail

and mayhap we will die together.

***

Through frost and through snow, tired and hunted

I go in fear both of friend and of neighbour;

My horses run wild, my acres untilled

and all of lost to my labour.

What grieves me far more than the loss of my store

is there is no one would shield me from danger

so my fate it must be to bid farewell to thee

and languish amid strangers

***

My darling, my beloved

we will go off together for a while

to forests of fragrant fruit trees

and the blackbird in his nest

the deer and the buck calling

sweet little birds singing on branches

And the little cuckoo on top of the green yew tree

Forever, forever, death will not come near us

in the middle of our fragrant forest.

***

(translation by Barbara Carswell on Connie Dover's CD "If Ever I Return"). See more under entry for “Ned of the Hill.” O’Farrell (Pocket Companion), c. 1805; pg. 3 (appears as “Yemon O Knock”). Ó Canainn (Traditional Slow Airs), 1995; No. 92, pg. 79. O Sullivan, Songs of the Irish. Roche Collection, 1982; vol. 3, pg. 1, No. 3. MKM 7590, Mike McHale – “The Schoolmaster’s House” (2000).

X:1

T:Éamonn a’ Chnuic

M:3/4

L:1/8

Q:90

K:G Major

B{c}{B}A|"G" G2{A}{G} E3 F |"Em" {A}G4 {A}GA |

"G" B{a}g3{a}{g} fd |"C" {a}e4 f{a}{f}e |"G" d4 B{c}{B}A |

"Em" G4 AB |1"C"  c3 B{c}{B}A{B}{A}G |

"D" E4 :|2"C" A4 {B}{A} "D" GF |"G" G4 ||

Bd | "C" e c3 g2 |"G" {c}d4 d2 |"C" e2{a}f2{g}{f}e2 |"G" d4 de |

d4 B{c}{B}A |"Em" G4 AB |"C" c3 B {c}{B} A{B}{A} G|"D"E4 |

B{c}{B}A |"G" G2{A}{G} E3 F |"Em" {A}G4 {A}GA |

"G" B{a}g3{a}{g} fd |"C"{a}e4 f{a}{f}e |"G" d4 B{c}{B}A |

"Em" G4 AB |"C" A4 {B}{A}"D" GF |"G" G4 ||

X:2

T:Yemon O Knock

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Slow”

S:O’FarrellPocket Companion (c. 1805)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

DE | G2B2 (AG) | B2g2 f>d | ed/B/ “tr”A2B2 | (AG) G2F2 | E(D/E/) D3E |

G2B2 A>G | B2g2f>d | ed/B/ “tr”A2B2 | A>GA/4 G3 || de/f/ g2 (ge) | a>g f2 ed/B/ |

d4 gf | e>d (B/A/)G/E/ (G/A/)B/d/ | (e>f) (g>a) (g/a/b) | D>E G2B2 | AG B2g2 |

fd (e/d/)(B/A/) “tr”A2 | (G/A/)B/d/ (e/d/)B/G/ A2G2 | G4 ||

           

ÉAMONN COYNE’S. AKA and see “Geordie Affleck.” Irish, Reel. Caoimhin Mac Aoidh identifies this tune as one that Francie Dearg & Mickey Ban O Beirn played in the key of D Major and John Doherty and Danny O'Donnell played in A Major, called “The Mint in the Corn.” Tommy Peoples also plays the tune in D Major, learned from older Donegal musicians. It is a version, Mac Aoidh explains, of the Scottish reel “Geordie Affleck.” Breathnach (CRÉ II), No. 191 (appears as “gan ainm/untitled”).

X:1

T: Éamonn Coyne's

M:4/4

L:1/8

R:reel

Z:Barney

K:G

Bc dB GA BG|AD (3DDD cA FA|Bc dB GA BG|AD EF G3A|

Bc dB GA BG|AD (3DDD AD (3DDD|Bc dB GA BG|AD EF G3A||

BG Bd gf ed|cA ce ag fe|fg af de fd|ed ^ce d2 ef|

gf ed ef a2-|ag fe dc BA|Bc dB GA BG| AD FA G4:||

           

ÉAMONN DODBHALL. AKA and see "Edward Dodwell."

           

ÉAMONN McGIVNEY’S. AKA and see “McGibbney’s Fancy,” “McGivney’s Fancy.” Irish, Hornpipe. E Dorian. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Paul de Grae remarks the tune is “named for Eamonn McGivney, Clare-based fiddler and the subject of the comic song "The Ordnance Survey Man" (his day job).” Taylor (Music for the Sets: Yellow Book), 1995; pg. 38.

           

ÉAMONN MHAGÁINE [1]. Irish, Slow Air (4/4 time). D Mixolydian. Standard tuning. One part. Ó Canainn (Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland), 1995; No. 78, pg. 69.

 

ÉAMONN MHAGÁINE [2]. Irish, Slow Air (3/4 time, “Slow and distinct”). G Mixolydian. One part. Éamonn Mhagáine is perhaps the name of a highwayman, notes Goodman. Source for notated version: a manuscript collection dated 1861, compiled by Church of Ireland cleric and uilleann piper James Goodman (1828-1896) who collected largely in