The Fiddler’s
Companion
© 1996-2010 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 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] |
IAIN AN CIBEIR. AKA and see "John the Shepherd."
IAIN CAIMBEUL A BANCA. Scottish, Pipe March. A version of “The Rock and the/a Wee Pickle Tow.”
The title is from Duncan Ban MacIntyre’s use of the tune, according to Jack
Campin (jc@purr.demon.co.uk).
IAIN
PETERSON’S COMPLIMENTS TO FRASER
McGLYNN.
Scottish, Reel. B Minor. Standard tuning. AABBCCDD. Composed by Iain Peterson.
Martin (Ceol na Fidhle), vol. 4,
1991; pg. 12.
IAIN RUAIRIDH'S LAMENT (Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh). Scottish, Slow Air (6/8 time). A
Major. Standard tuning. AABB. A relatively rare major-mode lament. Martin (Ceol na Fidhle), vol. 1, 1991; pg. 8.
IAIN'S JIG. Scottish, Pipe Jig. Green Linnet 1067, The
Tannahill Weaver's ‑ "
IAN AND ISOBEL. Scottish, Jig. E Major.
Standard. AAB. Composed by Scottish fiddler Arthur Scott Robertson. Robertson’s
son Neil told Randy Miller that Ian and Isobel Ferguson of Aberfeldy were close
friends of his parents. He remembered staying with them when his father
competed in a BBC sponsored event in 1969. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 60, pg. 46. Spectrum
Records FLP 5015, Arthur Scott Robertson – “
IAN POWRIE’S
COMPLIMENTS TO ANGUS FITCHET.
Scottish, Reel. D Major. Standard. AABB. Composed by Ian Powrie
(originally in the key of ‘F major) in honor of fiddler and band leader Angus
Fitchet. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne),
2004; No. 173, pg. 109. Waverly/EMI Records SZLP 2144,
“Ian Powrie, His Fiddle and his Friends” (1975).
IAN S. ROBERTSON. Shetland, Slow Air. B Flat Major. Standard. AA'B. Composed by Shetland
fiddler, teacher, collector and composer Tom Anderson, 1963, for the son of Arthur
Scott Robertson the Champion Scottish Fiddler.
IANTHE. AKA and see “Princess Royal [5].” English, Air. G
Minor. Standard. AABB. Simpson, in his volume British Broadside Ballads and
Their Music, says this air was originally entitled “Iantha” and was included in
the supplemental section called “Tunes of the French Dances” in the third
edition of Playford’s Dancing Master
(c. 1662, No. 28). It can also be found in twice in Playford’s Apollo’s Banquet (1670, No. 176 &
No. 200), first as “Ianythae” and then as “La Princess Royale.” The “Princess
Royal” title was used for subsequent editions of Playford
X: 1
T:Ianthe (Princess Royal)
M:4/4
L:1/4
S:Simpson (BBBM)
K:GMin
B/A/|Ggg>^f|g3 g/a/|bff>_e|dBBc/d/|_e/d/c/B/ B>A|A3:||a|b>d d3/4f/4
e3/4
g/4|f2e>f|d>_e c>B|B3 B/A/|Gcc>b|c3 f/_e/|db^f>g|g3:||
IANTHE THE LOVELY. AKA and see "Mourn
Hapless Caledonia," "When he holds up his hand."
English, Air. This melody appears in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (1729) as "When he holds up his hand."
Kidson (1922) says the air is by John Barrett. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 67.
IARGAIN CUAIN. AKA and see "Wailing of
the Sea." Scottish, Air (4/4 time). A Minor. Standard. AAB. Neil (The Scots Fiddle), 1991; No. 174, pg.
226.
ICE CREAM HORNPIPE, THE. Irish, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard. AABB.
Composed by
X:1
T: Ice Cream Hornpipe
C: © B.Black
Q: 325
R: hornpipe
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: G
A | d^cd=c BGGF | EAce agfe | decd Bdgd | cAdF GABc |
dDDF GB (3BBB | (3cBA BG ABce | dggd cggc | BdAF G3 :|
B/c/|(3d^cd ef g2 d=c|(3BcB AF G2 Bc|(3d^cd ef gaba|(3gfe fd e2 Bc|
(3d^cd
ef gbbg | faef g2 ed | (3cdc (3BcB (3ABA (3GAG | cAdF G3 :|
ICE HOUSE. Old-Time, Breakdown. A Major. AEae tuning. Composed by Matt Gordon,
formerly of the Fiddle Puppets, in honor of the
ICE ON THE
ICE ON THE PUMPHANDLE. AKA and see “Mountain
Hornpipe [1],” “Old Skeddadalink,”
“Woody’s Hornpipe.” Old‑Time, Breakdown.
ICE ON THE ROAD. Canadian (originally), American; Reel. E Dorian ('A' part) & G
Major ('B' part). Standard tuning. AABB (Songer): AA'BB' (Bohrer/Kibler).
Composed by
ICK GOE MIJN SOETEN
ENGEL.
Dutch, Air (3/4 time). A Minor. Standard tuning. AABBCC. Barnes (English Country Dance Tunes, vol. 2),
2005; pg. 78 (appears as “The Lover’s Farewell”, the name of a dance by Pat
Shaw set to the tune).
ICY BLUE DAYS.
Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB.
Composed by the late Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland (1955-2009). Cranford (Jerry
Holland: The Second Collection), 2000; No. 33, pg. 14.
ICY MORNING. American, Jig. E Dorian ('A' and 'C' parts), E Major ('B' part).
Standard tuning. ABCC. Private collection (circulated among contra dance
musicians). Wild Horse 2198312.
ICY MOUNTAIN. Old‑Time, Breakdown.
ICY SIDEWALKS. Canadian, March (cut time).
I'D BE A BUTTERFLY. AKA and see “Butterfly (2) (The).” English, Country Dance Tune (2/4
time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: a c.
1837-1840 MS by
I’D
CROSS THE WORLD OVER WITH YOU JOHNNY DOYLE. AKA and see “Johnny Doyle
[1].” Irish, Air (4/4 time). B Flat Minor. Standard tuning. One part.
Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection),
1905; No. 443, pg. 112.
X:1
T:I’d cross the world over with you
Johnny Doyle
M:C
L:1/8
S:Stanford/Petrie (1905), No. 443
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:Bbmin
fe | dB BA F2 E>F | FB BB B3F |
Bcde fedf | ecdB A2 F=A |
Bcde fedf | ecdB A2 f>e | dBBA F2
EF | FBBB B2 ||
I'D DRUTHER BE A
NIGGER THAN A POOR WHITE MAN. AKA‑ "N….r Take a Dram," "I'm An Old N….r And I Will Take A Dram."
Old‑Time, Breakdown.
***
The poor white man, the poor white man,
Livin' up north in a cold white land;
Never seen a banjo or heard a nigger band,
I druther be a nigger than a poor white man.
***
The poor white man, the poor white man,
Never seen a possum or a possun in the pan;
never had a chicken or a razor in his hand,
I druther be a nigger than a poor white man.
***
I'm an old nigger and I'll take a dram,
I druther be a nigger than a poor white man.
(Thede)
***
This line is also sometimes heard
sung:
My name is Sam, I don’t give a damn,
I’d reather be a nigger ‘n a po’ white man.
{Sounds like a white minstrel show
ditty} Thede (The Fiddle Book), 1967;
pg. 62.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW. AKA and see "J'aimerais d'
Connaitre."
I’D MOURN THE HOPES
THAT LEAVE ME. AKA and see “Bhíosa lá I bport
láirge,” "The Dainty Besom Maker,"
“Forgive the muse that
slumbered,” "The Gimlet," “Johnny’s Grey Breeks [2],”
"The Old Lea Rigg,"
"Little Mary Cullinan,"
"Little Sheila Connellan,”
“Maureen from Giberland,” “Port Láirge,” “The Rose Tree [1]," “The Rose Tree in Full Bearing."
I’D
RANGE THE WORLD OVER WITH MY OWN JOHNNY DOYLE. AKA and see “Johnny Doyle [1].”
Irish, Air (2/4 time). A Minor. Standard tuning. One part. Stanford (1902)
notes it is a variant of “I’d cross the world over with you, Johnny Doyle.”
Source for notated version: “From (the Irish collector) Forde”
[Stanford/Petrie]. Stanford/Petrie (Complete
Collection), 1905; No. 629, pg. 158.
X:1
T:I’d range the world over with my
own Johnny Doyle
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:Air
S:Stanford/Petrie (1905), No. 629
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:F
ed | cA AG | E2 DE | EA AA | A2 GE |
AB cd | ed ce | dB cA | G3E |
AB cd | ed ce | dB cA | G2 ed | cA
AG | E2 DE | EA AA | A2 ||
I’D RATHER BE MARRIED
THAN LEFT (B’Fhearr liom a
bheith Pósta ná Tréigthe). Irish, Slide. D Major. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. The melody was recorded
by Seamus Ennis in January, 1949, from the fiddle playing of Kerry musicians
Padraig O’Keeffe and Denis Murphy (O’Keeffe’s pupil). Alice C. B Bunten, in an
article entitled “Irish Songs in the Beggar’s Opera” (Journal of the Irish Folk Society, vol. 5, pg. 19), identifies the
tune as a derivative of the English song “Would
you Court a Young Virgin of Sixteen Years” in Gay’s 1728 work. She states:
“In Charles II’s reign [1660-1685] Tom D’Urfey wrote the words of ‘Would you
Court’ &c. for his play Modern
Prophets, and used this tune, which was an old one, for it.” The tune has a
long pedigree—see note for “Would you…” See also “La Native” in the “Lancer’s Quadrilles.” Source for
notated version: a manuscript dated 1919, written by Michael S. Meany (Tulla,
X:1
T:I'd rather be married than left
M:12/8
L:1/8
R:slide
D:The Smoky Chimney, track 1(a)
K:D
ABA AFA d2 D D2 F|ABA AFA B2 E E2 F|
ABA AFA B2 g f2 e|1dcB ABc d2 D D2
F:|2dcB ABc d2 D D2 e||
~f3 def e2 A A2 e|fef def gfg e2
g|fef g3 fef a2 f|
1gfe ABc d2 D D2 e:|2gfe ABc d2 D
D3||
I'D ROAM THROUGH ASIA. AKA and see "Colleen Rue [1]," "As I Roved Out On a Summer
Morning," "Kind Sir,
Be 'Aisy,'" "Red‑haired
Maiden," “Red-Haired Girl
[3],” "Sails Were
Unfurled."
IDA RED. AKA‑ "Idy Red." Old‑Time, Breakdown.
***
Ida Red who lives uptown, weighs three hundred and forty pounds,
Down the road and 'cross the creek, don't get a letter but once a week.
***
Refrain
Ida Red, pearly blue,
My little honey don't I love you.
***
I don't know and I don't care, know there's hard times everywhere,
Ida Red you won't do right, won't do nothin' but quarrel and fight.
***
Down the road hat in my hand, hello sheriff I've killed my man,
Ida Red you won't do right, won't do nothin' but quarrel and fight.
***
Down the road a mile and a half, my little honey looks back and laughs,
Ida Red you're workin on the road, work enough money to buy a load.
***
Ida Red, Ida Blue, Ida bit a hoecake half in two,
If I'd a‑listened to what Ida said, I'd a‑been sleepin' in
Ida's bed. {Kuntz}
***
I went down town one day in a lope,
Fool around till I stole a coat;
Then I come back and I do my best,
Fool Around till I got the vest.
O weep! O my Idy!
For over dat road I'm bound to go. {Thede}
***
See also listing at: Jane Keefer’s Folk
Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources |
X:1
T:Ida Red
M:2/4
L:1/8
B:Kuntz – Ragged but Right
K:A
c>c BB|A/B/A/F/ EF|AA/c/ B/A/F|EF
AA/B/|cc/c/ BB|A/B/A/F/ EE/F/|
AA/c/ B/A/F|EF A>(c||c/)e/e
[ee][ee]|c/A/B AA|B/A/B/A/ c/A/B|
E/E/F AA|c/B/c/d/ ee|c/d/e
AA|B/A/B/A/ cB|E/F/A A2||
IDBURY HILL. AKA and see “London Pride.”
English, Morris Dance Tune (4/4 time). E Minor (Mallinson): D Dorian (Bacon,
Carlin). Standard timomg. AABB, x4 (Mallinson): AABA (Bacon): AA'BB' (Carlin).
Idbury Hill is a side-step handkerchief dance collected with the melody in the
Bledington, Gloucestershire, area of
***
“Idbury Hill” appears to be a derivation of “Boyne Water [1].” See also the related Irish air “Rosc Catha na Mumhan” (The Battle Cry of Munster).
***
A portrait by artist A van Anrooy of an old country fiddler was printed on the cover of Peter Kennedy’s influential Fiddler’s Tune Book. It depicts Charles Benfield (1841-1929), fiddler for the Bledington morris men in the second half of the 19th century. Benfield started out by playing the pipe and tabor, instruments he had ‘inherited’ from the renowned Sherbourne and Northleach musician Jim ‘the laddie’ Simpson, who had succumbed to an overdose of alcohol in 1856. Benfield played at various times for the morris sides of Milton-under-Wychwood, Idbury, Fyfield and Longborough and became a key figure in the Bledington morris tradition of the latter 19th century. He eventually lead the “junior side” of dancers born in the 1860’s, men who survived to pass on their tradition to larger audiences when collectors visited in the 1930’s. Cecil Sharp’s biographer, Fox Strangway, relates that the famous collector presented a bow to Benfield, whose own had been broken some years previously and as a result his fiddle had been silent. The elderly musician took the bow, tuned up the fiddle and played a few tunes, but was not pleased with the result. He then appraised the bow thoughtfully, and admitted that ‘it seemed a nice bow’ and ‘looked all right’, but that it “somehow won’t keep time with the other hand.” [Pete Cooper].
***
Sharp
also in 1911 noted a G minor version of “Idbury Hill” from 68 year old Harry
Taylor, from the Longborough morris tradition, although Taylor called it
“London Pride.”
***
Source for notated version: Charles
Benfield (Rollo Woods, Gloucestershire, England) via Dr. Kenworthy Schofield,
1925 [Bacon]. Bacon (The Morris Ring),
1974; pg. 77. Barnes (English Country
Dance Tunes, vol. 2), 2005; pg. 62. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 39, pg. 33. Mallinson (Mally’s Cotswold Morris Book), 1988,
vol. 2; No. 52, pg. 26.
X:1
T:Idbury Hill
M:4/4
L:1/8
S:Bacon (Benfield MS, 1925)
K:Ddor
A2 AB c2A2|GFED C2 DE|F2A2 AGFE|D4D4:|
||A2 AB c2A2|dcBA G2G2|A2 AB c2A2|d3c A4|
A2
AB c2A2|GFED C2 DE|F2A2 AGFE|D4 D4||
IDEAL. American, "Straight Jig" (2/4 time). E Minor. Standard
tuning. AA'BB'. A kind of ragtime tune. Harding’s
All Round Collection, 1905; No. 63, pg. 19.
X:1
T:Ideal
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:”Straight Jig”
N:”Not too fast”
B:Harding’s All Round Collection, No. 63 (1905)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:Emin
.E.F .G.A|Be fg|c3 g|B3
g|AcBA|GABG|1 E3 e|^dB (GF):|2
FB2B|Ez Ez||:F(e
e/)>d/d/>A/|F=FE_E|D(e e/>d/B/>G/|EDAG|1 F(d d/>)A^G/>A/|
dA d2|G(e e/>)B/^A/>B/|eB
d2:|2 FE (^GA)|(Bc)fe|dc/>A/ EF|Gz [Bg]z||
IDER
DEIGHRIC ‘GUS BREO’. Irish, Air. Shanachie 79064, Matt Molloy – “Heathery Breeze” (1999).
IDLE ROAD, THE (Botar Diomaoin). AKA and see “The Winding Road.” Irish, Jig. G Major.
Standard tuning. AABB (O’Neill’s): AABBCCDD’ (
X:1
T:Idle Road, The
L:1/8
M:6/8
S:O’Neill – Dance Music of
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
D|D>BB D>cc|D>BB c2e|dBG
FGA|BAG AFD|
D>BB D>cc|D>BB c2e|dBG
FGA|BGG G2:|
|:G|G>gg efg|fed cAF|G>gg
gfg|afd cAF|
D>BB D>cc|D>BB c2e|dBG
FGA|BGG G2:|
X:2
T:Idle Road, The
S:Raphael Meehan (flute), Donegal
Z:Nigel Gatherer
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
K:G
E|DBB Dcc|DBB c2e|dBG FGA| BGB AFD|
DBB Dcc|DBB c2e|dBG FGA|1BGF G2:|2BGF GBd||
efg efg|fed cAF|G2g gfg|afd cAF|
DBB Dcc|DBB c2e|dBG FGA|1BGF GBd:|2BGF G2||
X:3
T:Idle Road
R:Jig
S:Conor Keane
Z:Jeff Lindqvist
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:G
DBB Dcc|DBB c2e|dBG FGA|BAG AFD|
DBB Dcc|DBB c2e|dBG FGA|1 BGF G2D:|2 BGF G2G||
Ggg efg|fed cAF|GBd gfg|afd cAF|
DBB Dcc|DBB c2e|dBG FGA|BGF G2F|
Ggg efg|fed cAF|GBd gab|afd cAF|
DBB Dcc|DBB c2e|dBG FGA|BGF G2D||
IDLEWILD. American, Clog Dance (cut time). D Major. Standard tuning. AB (Cole):
AABB' (Kerr). Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes),
1940; pg. 79. Kerr (Merry Melodies),
vol. 2; No. 417, pg. 47. Ryan’s Mammoth
Collection, 1883; pg. 113.
X:1
T:Idlewild
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Clog Dance Tune
S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:D
(D>.D) (3FED (F>.A)(d>.A) |
(3Bcd A>F E>DB,>A, | D>D (3FED F>Ad>A | (3Bcd A>F E>F
Dz |
D>D (3FED F>Ad>A | (3Bcd
A>F E>DB,>A, | D>D (3FED F>Ad>A | (3Bcd A>F E>F Dz ||
(B>.F) {G}(3F^EF (d>.B)
{c}(3BAB | f>B {c}(3BAB b>f {g}(3fef | g>ef>d e>cd>A | (3Bcd
A>c B>AF>A |
B>F {G}(3F^EF {c}(3BAB | f>B
{c}(BAB b>f {g}(3fef | g>efd> e>cd>A | (3Bcd A>F
E>DB,>A, ||
IDLEWILD JIG. AKA and see “Cricket’s
March Over the Saltbox.” American, Irish (?); Jig. USA, New England. D
Major (‘A’ part) & B Minor (‘B’ part). Standard tuning. AB (Cole, Ryan):
AABB (S. Johnson): AABB’ (Songer). Susan Songer (Portland Collection) notes that Larry Nugent recorded it on his
first album, having learned the tune from an elderly fiddler named Willie
Johnston who lived near his parents’ home in Lack, County Fermanagh. Johnston
maintained it was a ‘fairy tune’ he had learned one lonely night while walking
home. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940;
pg. 79. S. Johnson (The Kitchen Musician
No. 6: Jigs), 1982 (revised 1989, 2001); pg. 13. McQuaid (The Irish
DADGAD Guitar Book). Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883. Songer (
X:1
T:Idlewild
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:D
D2D FED|F2A d2A|Bcd A2F|G2F E2D|D2D
FED|
F2A d2A|Bcd A2F|EFE D3||B2F
F=F^F|d2B BAB|
F2B BAB|b2f fef|g2e f2d|e2c d2A|Bcd
A2F|E2D D3||
IDYL. American, Hornpipe. E Major. Standard tuning. AABB. "Can be used
as a Clog" (Cole). Cole (1000 Fiddle
Tunes), 1940; pg. 96. Ryan’s Mammoth
Collection, 1883; pg. 130.
X:1
T:Idyl
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Hornpipe
S:Ryan’s Mammoth Collection (1883)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:E
B2 | e2 g>e B>AG>F |
E>GB>e g>ef>g | a>ba>g f>gf>e | (de)f>d B2 (cd) | e2
g>e B>AG>F |
E>GB>e g>ef>g | (3aba
(3gag (3fgf (3efe | d>ef>d e2 :: B2 | b2 (3gbg (3efe (3BdB |
E>GB>e g>ef>g | (3aba (3gag (3fgf (3efe | .d.e(fg) .a.B(cd) | e2
g>e B>AG>F |
E>GB>e g>ef>g | (3aba
(3bab (3fgf (3efe | d>ef>d e2 :|
IF ALL THE SEA WERE INK. AKA – “If the sea were ink.” AKA and see "Ah! Where Is the Vow?,"
"Lay His Sword By His Side." Irish, Air (4/4 time). C Major
(Walker): G Major/E Minor
(O’Neill): E Flat Major/Mixoldyian (Stanford/Petrie). Standard tuning.
One part (Stanford/Petrie, Walker): AAB (O’Neill). It’s hard
not to believe the title is not a take-off on Playford’s “If the world were
paper.”
X:1
T:If the Sea were Ink
L:1/8
M:C
N:”Moderate”
S:O’Neill – Music of
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
e/f/g/e/|dBAB G2 GB|d2 e>f e2
dB|A2 AB dBAB|G4 z2:|Bd|e2 dB d2 ef|
g2 g>a b2 ag|e2 g>e dcBd|e3
f/e/ d2 Bd|e2 dB d2 e>f|g2 g>a {c’}b2 ag|
{f}e2 g>e edBd|e3 d g2||
X:2
T:If all the sea were ink
M:C
L:1/8
S:
K:C
cA|GED>E C2 CE|G2 A_B A2 GE|D2 DE GED>E|C6 EG|
A2 GE G2 AB|c>Bcd e2 dc|A2 cA AGEG|A3 G G2 EG|
A2 GE G2 AB|c>Bcd e2 dc|A2 cA AGEG|A3G c2 A/B/c/A/|
GED>E
C2 CE|G2 A_B A2 GE|D2 DE GED>E|C6||
IF ALL THE WORLD WERE
PAPER. English, Country Dance Tune (6/8 or
6/4 time). D Major (Karpeles, Raven, Sharp): C Major (Kidson). Standard tuning.
One part (Karpeles, Raven, Sharp): AB (Kidson). First published by Playford as
a round dance for eight persons in his English
Dancing Master (1651) and subsequent editions through the eighth (1690).
The tune goes to a well-known nursery rhyme which runs:
***
If all the world were paper,
And all the sea were ink?
And all the trees were bread and cheese,
What should we do for drink?
***
Karpeles & Schofield (A Selection of 100 English Folk Dance Airs),
1951; pg. 15. Kidson (Old English Country
Dances), 1890; pg. 1. Raven (English
Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 24 & 39. Sharp (Country Dance Tunes), 1909; pg. 27.
X:1
T:If All the World Were Paper
M:6/8
L:1/8
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
S:Sharp – Country Dance Tunes (1909)
K:D
A|B2A B2c|d3 D3|F2E F2G|(A3 A2)
F|G2F G2A|B2G D2d|e2A B2c|(d3 d2):|
IF ALL THE YOUNG
LADIES. AKA ‑ "Ma M‑Bideann
Na Og‑Mna," “If all the young maidens.” Irish, Air (3/4 time). A
Major (O’Neill/1850): A Dorian (O’Neill/1913). Standard tuning. One part.
O’Neill (1913) identifies this as a “Luibin” air, a song sung by young women at
quiltings and spinnings which involves extemporaneous verses and a regular
chorus, in which each girl makes up a line and everyone chimes in with the
chorus. “The name Luinigs, or Luinnochs, by which they are known,
signifies cheerful chorus music.” In Irish Folk Music, O’Neill clarifies that Loobeen is the Irish term, according to Bunting, and that Luinig or Luinniochs is a Highland Scots term signifying cheerful chorus
music. He prints an example:
***
If all the young maidens were blackbirds and thrushes, (x2)
How soon the young men would get sticks and wet bushes,
Fal the daw, fal the day, fal the didy o-dee.
***
O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1979; No. 101, pg. 18. O’Neill
(1913), pg. 119.
X:1
T:If all the Young Ladies
M:3/4
L:1/8
R:Air
N:”Moderate”
S:O’Neill – Music of
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:A
(cd) | e2A2A2 | A2G2A2 | c2d2e2 |
f2e2d2 | e2A2A2 | A2G2A2 | c2d2e2 | e2d2d2 |
e2a2a2 | e2g2 ge | d2c2B2 | A2G2 AB
| c4Bc | d4 cd | e2A2A2 | A4 ||
IF
ALL THE YOUNG MAIDENS WERE BLACKBIRDS AND THRUSHES. Irish, Air (6/8 time). E Minor. Standard tuning. AAB. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; No. 821, pg.
205.
X:1
T:If all the young maidens were
blackbirds and thrushes
M:6/8
L:1/8
N:”Moderate”
S:Stanford/Petrie (1905), No. 821
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
G/A/ | BEE E>GF/E/ | DEF/G/ AF :|
G/A/ | Bed/d/ B^cd |
AA/B/A/G/ FDE/F/ | G2 F/E/ A2 G/A/ |
BEE E2 ||
IF
ANY OF THOSE CHILDREN OF HUNGER SHALL CRY. Irish, Air (4/4 time). C Major. Standard tuning. One part. "This
is a song of the time of the American War of Independence. I learned it when a
child from hearing it often sung: and two verses (with the air) have remained
in my memory" (Joyce).
***
If any of those children of hunger shall cry,
I hope you will relieve them, that are now standing by;
I hope you will relieve them from hunger thirst and cold,
While we are in America like jolly soldiers bold—
With a fal-lal-li-da.
***
Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 41, pg. 23.
X:1
T:If any of those children of hunger
shall cry
M:C
L:1/8
R:Air
S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs (1909)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:C
GF|EGcd cGEG|c2 c>c c3d|e2 ee
{e}g2 ec|d2 d>d d3f|ecce f2 ef|
g2 G>G G2 (3GAB|c2 Bc d2 gf|ecce
f2 dB|d2 c>c c2||
IF ANY WENCH VENUS'S
GIRDLE WEARS. AKA and see "Cold and Raw," "The Farmer's Daughter [2]."
An Anglo‑Scottish song appearing in John Gay's Beggar's Opera of 1729.
IF EVER I GO TO A
WEDDING. AKA and see “Cat in the Hopper.”
IF EVER I MARRY I’M THE SON OF A WHORE. Irish, Air (6/8 time). A Minor. Standard tuning. AABBCCD. O’Farrell (Pocket Companion), c. 1805; pg. 15.
X:1
T:If Ever I
Marry I’m the Son of a Whore
M:6/8
R:Air
N:”Slow”
S:O’Farrell
– Pocket Companion (c. 1805)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:Amin
E | A>BA
AGA | cde f2g | fed cAG | G>AG GEG | A>BA AGA | cde fag |
fed cAG |
A3 A2 :: e | a>ba g>ag | f>gf e2d | c>de ged | cAG G3 |
EAA AGA |
cde fag | fed cAG | A3 A2 :: B | cEE GEE | cEE G2G |
AEE cEE |
dcd e3 | EAA AGA | cde fag | fed cAG | A3 A2 :| e |
a2a g2g | fgf e2d | cde ged | cAG G3
| EAA AGA | cde fag | fed cAG | A3A2 ||
IF E’ER YE DO WELL IT’S A WONDER. Scottish, Slow Air (3/4 time). D
Major. Standard tuning. AABB. McGibbon (Scots
Tunes, Book 1), c. 1762; pg. 27.
X:2
T:If e’er
ye do well it’s a Wonder
M:3/4
L:1/8
R:Air
N:”Slow”
S:McGibbon
– Scots Tunes, Book 1 (c. 1762)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:D
F>E | D2F2 A>B | A4 (B/c/d) |
(A2B2)d2 | ({f}e4) de | f2D2F2 | A3BAG | “tr”F6 | d4 :|
|: d>e | f2 (gf)(ed) |
({f}”tr”e4) (d/e/f) | (A2B2)d2 | ({f2}e4) de | (f/d/e/f/ g/)f/e/d/ |
A3 BAG | “tr”F6 | d4 de | f2
(gf)(ed) | ({f}e4 (de)| f2D2F2 | A3 BAG | “tr”F6 | d4 :|
IF EVER YOU WERE MINE. Irish, Air or Waltz. G Major. Standard tuning. ABB’. Composed by
Leitrim fiddler Maurice Lennon, a member of the Irish group Stockton’s Wing.
Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Green Linnet GLCD 1074,
Jerry O'Sullivan - "The Invasion.” NMAS 1972, Natalie MacMaster -
"Fit as a Fiddle" (1993).
X:1
T:In Memory of You
C:Morris Lenahan
S:Cherish the Ladies CD
N:I think this appears as If Ever
You Were Mine on J. O'Sullivan's 1st cd.
Z:Transcribed by Phil Sexton
M:3/4
K:G
DE|"G"G4
e2|"G"d4 (3BAG|"G"AB G4|"G"G4 DE|
"G"G4 e2|"G"d4
Bd|"D"d6|"D"d2 e2 f2|"G"g4 ed|
"G"g4 ed|"G"e2
d3B|"G"AB G2 (3GFE|"G"D4 e2|
"G"d4
(3BAG|"C"DE G2A2|"G"G6|"G"{A}G4 dc||
|:"G"B3d
(3BAG|"G"d4 Bd|"C"c2 d2 e2|"G"d4 Bc|
"G"B3d
(3BAG|"G"d4 Bd|"C"c2 d2 e2|"D"def
def|"G"g4 ed|
"G"g4 ed|"G"e2
d3B|"G"AB G2(3GFE|"G"D4 e2|"G"d4 (3BAG|
"C"DE G2A2|"G"G6
|[1 "G"G4dc :|[2 "G"G4 DE ||
X:2
T:If Ever You Were Mine
C:Maurice Lennon
R:Waltz
S:Natalie MacMaster, "Fit As A Fiddle"
N:From her handwritten notation at
N:http://www.nataliemacmaster.com/tunes/faaf/ifeveryouweremine.jpg
N:(I have halved the values of some of the notes -
N:in bars 7, 14, 16, 22, 31, 33 & 34
N:to normalise the lengths of those bars)
N:also recorded by Stockton's Wing & Cherish the Ladies
Z:Si
Garbet
M:3/4
L:1/8
Q:200
K:G
DE|G4 e2|d4 B/A/ G|AB G2 G2|G4 DE|G4 e2|d4 Bd|d6|d2 e2 f2|
g3 g ed|g3 g ed|e2d3B|ABG2G/F/ E|D4e2|d4B/A/ G|DE G2GA|G6-|G4dc|
B3d B/A/ G|d4 Bd|c2d2e2|d4 Bc|B3d B/A/ G|d4 Bd|c2d2e2|de fd ef|
g3 g ed|g3 g ed|e2 d3 B|ABG2G/F/ E|D4e2|d4B/A/ G|DE G2GA|G6-|G4||
IF I GET A
BOANIE/BONNIE LASS. AKA and see "Gin you Meet a Bonny Lass."
Shetland, Shetland Reel. Shetland, Mainland and Whalsay districts. G Major ('A'
part) & D Major ('B' part). Standard tuning. AABB. "These were
favourite dancing tunes in Vidlin for the dance 'The Shetland Reel'"
(Anderson). Source for notated version: 'the late' Henry Thomson of Vidlin
(Shetland) [Anderson].
X:1
T:If I get a boanie lass
M:C
L:1/8
R:Reel
K:G
dcBA GA B2|dBGB gage|dcBA GA B2|efed
^c2A2:|
|:defd gfe^c|defd g2B2|defd gf
e2|efed ^c2 A2:|
IF I
HAD A BONNY LASS (LITTLE SLEEP WOU’D SAIR ME). Scottish, Reel. G Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AAB. Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 467. Gow
(Complete Repository), Part 2, 1802;
pg. 19. MacDonald (A Second Collection of
Strathspey Reels), 1789; pg. 5.
X:1
T:If I had a bonny Lass
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Reel
S:Gow – 2nd Repository
(1802)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
d|BGdG B>cd=f|AFcF {_B}A2 FA|BGdG
B>cdg|BgcA G3:|
f|~g>agd g>agd|=f>gfc
{B}A2FA|~gagd gagd|B>dgd B2 Gd|
~gagd gagd|=fgfc {B}A2 FA|BgcA
dBge|dcBA G3||
IF I HAD
IF I HAD A WIFE [1] (Dá mBeadh Bean Agam). AKA and see “Mick Mahony’s [1].” Irish, Slide (12/8
time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABB’CC (Moylan): AABB'CC' (Breathnach). Editor
Moylan (1994) states that this is not the usual tune associated with the rhyme
“If I Had a Wife.” Source O’Leary played the tune paired with “The Kilcummin Slide” and “Mick Mahony’s [2]." Sources for
notated versions: fiddler Kevin Burke (Co. Clare) & accordion player Jackie
Daly (Ireland) [Breathnach]; accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Sliabh Luachra
region of the Cork-Kerry border), recorded in recital at Na Píobairí Uilleann,
February, 1981 [Moylan]. Breathnach (CRE
III), 1985; No. 41, pg. 20. Moylan (Johnny
O’Leary), 1994; No. 90. Mulligan Records LUN 039,
Kevin Burke & Jackie Daly ‑ "Eavesdropper" (1981). RTE
CE174, “The Sliabh Luachra Fiddle Master Padraig O’Keeffe.” Topic 12T357,
Johnny O’Leary - “Music for the Set” (1977).
IF I HAD A WIFE [2]. AKA and see “Mad Dancing,” “Nellie Mahony’s Slide [1].” Irish,
Slide (12/8 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Source O’Leary maintained
the Chieftains obtained this tune from himself and fiddler Denis Murphy as well
as many others after being visited by Sean Keane and Paddy Moloney. Source for
notated version: accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Sliabh Luachra region of the
Cork-Kerry border), recorded in 1985 at Kenmare [Moylan]. Breathnach (CRE II), 1976; No. 70. Ceol, Vol 2, No. 4 (appears as “A
Single”). Moylan (Johnny O’Leary),
1994; No. 128, pg. 75. Tubridy (Irish
Traditional Music, Vol. 1), 1999; pg. 26.
X:1
T:If I Had a Wife [2]
M:12/8
L:1/8
R:Slide
K:G
G2A ABd e2d d2B|AGA B2A G2D D3|B2A
ABd e2d d2B|1
AGA B2A G3 G2A:|2AGA B2A G3 G2B||
|:d2g gfg age dBd|e2a aba g2a
bge|d2g gfg age dBd|1
efg aba g3 gfe:|2 efg aba g2A B2A||
IF I HAD A WIFE [3]. See "Bless My Soul, Why
Shouldn't I?" “Boring
with a/the gim(b)let,” “I have a
wife of my own,” "Jack
Won't Sell His Fiddle," "Ragged
Lady," "Spatter the Mud,”
“(A) Wife of my own.”
IF I HAD IN THE CLEAR. AKA and see “The Cordal Jig,”
"Five Hundred a Year,"
“Jackson’s Bouner Bougher,”
"Land of Potatoes,” “Morgan Rattler.”
IF I HAD MAGGIE IN THE
WOODS. AKA and see “Maggie in the Woods.”
IF I HAD MY CHOICE. AKA and see “Da bhFaighinn
mo Rogha.”
IF I
HADN'T BEEN A FOOL, I MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LADY. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Missouri. A Major. Standard tuning.
AABB. Source for notated version: Bill Katon (Tebbetts, Missouri {b. 1864})
[Christeson]. R.P. Christeson (Old Time
Fiddlers Repertory, vol. 2), 1984; pg. 14.
IF I WERE NEAR THE
PEA-FIELD. Irish, Air (4/4 time). D Major.
Standard tuning. AB. Joyce (Old Irish
Folk Music and Songs), 1909; No. 715, pg. 357.
IF I’M ALIVE IN
IF LOVE IS THE CAUSE
OF MY MOURNING. Scottish. Appears in Henry
Playford's 1700 collection of Scottish dance music.
IF LOVE THE VIRGIN'S
HEART INVADE. AKA and see "Why is your
faithful slave disdained?"
English, Air. The air appears in Gay's Beggar's Opera of 1729 and Pills
to Purge Melancholy, Vol. III, 1719.
IF
LOVE'S (A) SWEET PASSION (HOW CAN IT TORMENT). AKA and see "When young
at the bar you first taught me to score." English, Air. The air
appears in John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera" (1729), but originally was
by Henry Purcell and used in his "Fairy Queen." It appears also in Pills to Purge Melancholy, Vol. III and
on half‑sheets. Kidson (1922) says there was a later setting of the song
by Joseph Baildon. Raven (English Country
Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 62.
IF
THE GROG IS GOOD, WE WILL HAVE MORE OF IT. Irish, Air ("lively", 6/8 time). G Major. Standard tuning.
AB. Source for notated version: Paddy Conneely, the Galway piper, via Forde
(Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and
Songs), 1909; No. 466, pg. 260.
X:1
T:If the Grog is Good, We Will Have
More of It
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Air
N:”Lively, not too fast”
S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs (1909)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
G>AG d2d | G>AG FED | E>FE
e>de | BAB e3 | d>ed g>fg | B>cB BAG |
A>AA BAB | G>FG E2F || G>AG B>cd | G>AG FED | E>FE e>de |
BA>B e3 |
d>ed g>fg | B>cB BAG |
A>AA BAB | G>FG E3 ||
IF
THE HEART OF A MAN (IS DEPREST WITH CARES). AKA and see "Would You Have a
Young Virgin )of Fifteen Years)," "Poor Robin's Maggot." English,
Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The air appears under this title in Gay's Beggar's Opera, 1729. It also appears in
Pills to Purge Melancholy, Vol. 1.
Raven (English Country Dance Tunes),
1984; pg. 119.
X:1
T:If the Heart of a Man
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:D
F/G/ | A>BA A>BA | d2A A2 F/G/
| A>BA A>BA | e2A A2F/G/ | A>BA A>BA |
d2A e2A | f>ed Adc | d2D D2 :: D
| d2d cBA | B3 A2A | d2d cBA | B3 A2G |
F>FF FGA | B>BB Bcd | A>BA
AGF | E3 D2 :|
IF THE KIRK WOULD LET
ME BE. Scottish. Appears in full in the
Guthrie MS. of the late seventeenth century. Guthrie, a covenenting minister
who was beheaded in 1661, was probably no friend to dance music, and Alburger
(1983) speculates that some wag sewed the music MS. pages into one of his books
of sermons. The melody appears in the
Gillespie Manuscript of Perth (1768).
IF THE SEA WERE INK (Da M-Bud N-Dubac An Muir Lan). See “If all the sea were ink.”
IF THERE WEREN’T ANY
MEN. AKA and see “The Hills of Tara.” Irish, Barndance (4/4
time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The tune was recorded in the 78 RPM era
by both the Four Provinces and the Garryowen Irish Orchestra under the title
“The Hills of Tara.” Mulvihill (1st
Collection), 1986; No. 51, pg. 129.
X:1
T:If There Weren’t Any Men
M:4/4
L:1/8
R:Barndance
K:G
Bc|:d2G2G2 A>B|c2E2E2
A>G|F>GA>B c>Bc>d|e2d2d2 B>c|d2G2G2 A>B|
c2E2E2 A>G|F>GA>B
c>AF>G|A2G2G2:|
|:Bd|g2g2f2f2|e>fe>c A2
A>G|F>GA>B c>Bc>d|e2d2d2 B>d|g2g2f2f2|
e>fe>c A2 A>G|F>GA>B
c>AF>G|A2G2G2:|
IF THERE
WEREN’T ANY WOMEN (IN THE WORLD). AKA – “If We Hadn’t Any Women in
the World.” Irish, Barndance (4/4 time).
X:1
T:If There Weren’t Any Women in the
World
M:4/4
L:1/8
R:Barndance
K:G
Bc|d>ed>B G>AB>G|E2_E2
D2 G>A|Bd^cd edBG|A6 B>c|
d>ed>B G>AB>G|E2 _E2 D2
G>A|B>dB>G A>^GA>B|(G4 G2)||
d2|e3f g3f|e2d2d2
G>A|B>d^c>e e>dB>G|(A4A2) B>c|
d>ed>B G>AB>G|E2 _E2 D2
G>A|B>dB>G|A>^GA>B|(G4 G2)||
X:2
T:If There Weren’t Any Women in the
World
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Barndance
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:A
cd | (ef)ec (AB)cA | F2 =F2 [E3A3]E
| A2 GA (fe)cA | B2B2 [E2B2] (cd) |
(ef)ec (AB)cA | F2=F2[E2A2] (AB) |
c2 ec (BA)Bc |1 A4 A2 :|2 A4 A2 |: de |
[A2f2][A2f2] a3g | (f2e2)e2 AB |
[c2e2]Bc (fe)cA | B2B2 [E2B2] (cd) |
(ef)ec (AB)cA | F2=F2E2 (AB) |
[c2e2] ec (BA)Bc | A4 A2 :|
IF TO A FOREIGN CLIME
I GO. Irish, Air. One of a reputed seven or
eight hundred compositions of the ancient Irish harper Thomas O’Connellan (see
note for “The Breach of Aughrim”).
IF YE HAD BEEN WHERE I
HAE BEEN. AKA and see "Kilecranky," "Had ye
been whar I hae been ye wadna be sae canty." Scottish, Strathspey. D
Major. Standard tuning. AABB'. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 114.
X:1
T:If Ye Had Been Where I Hae Been
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Strathspey
B:Stewart-Robertson –
The Athole Collection
(1884)
K:D
e/f/|a<A A/A/A B>AG>B|a<A A/A/A B<d d>f|a<A A/A/A B>AG>g| f>ae>d B<dd:|
|:e|f2 f>d g2 g>e|f2 f>d f<a a>g|1 f2 f>d g2 g>e|f<a e>d B<d d>e:|2
f<a
f>d g<b g>e|f>ae>d B<dd||
IF
YOU AT AN OFFICE SOLICIT YOUR DUE. AKA and see "London Ladies." The tune appears
under this title in Gay's Beggar's Opera
of 1729. It also appears in Playford's Dancing
Master, and in editions of D’Urfey’s Pills
to Purge Melancholy.
IF YOU HAVE THAT (Ma se sin agutsa). Irish, Air (2/4 time). G Major/G Mixolydian. Source for notated version: "Mr. Denny Lane,
a well known Cork literary man" (Joyce). Standard. ABB.
IF YOU WILL NOT HAVE ME, YOU MAY LET ME GO. English, ‘Double’ or ‘Old’ Hornpipe
(3/2 time). B Minor. Standard tuning. AABBCCDD. The melody appears in the 1770
music manuscript book of Northumbrian musician William Vickers (about whom,
unfortunately, nothing is known). Vickers gives the same notes with a key of
two flats (rather than two sharps), set in 6/8 time. Callaghan (Hardcore English), 2007; pg. 76. Knowles
(A Northern Lass), 1995; pg. 40. Plain
Brown Tune Book, 1997; pg. 27. EFDSSCD13, Rising
Sun Band – “Hardcore English” (2007. Various artists). Folksound FSCD37, Rising
Sun Band – “Setting it Right.”
IGGIE AND SQUIGGIE. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Cape Breton. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB.
Composed by the late Inverness, Cape Breton, fiddler Jerry Holland (1955-2009).
Cranford (Jerry Holland’s), 1995; No.
125, pg. 36. Songer & Curley (The Portland Collection, vol. 2),
2005; pg. 91. Fiddlesticks cass., Jerry Holland - “A
Session with Jerry Holland” (1990). Wildcat Records WILDCD 101, Ronan Martin –
“Ronan Martin” (2008).
See also listings at: Alan Snyder’s Cape Breton Fiddle
Recording Index Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An
Index to Recorded Sources |
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