The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

_______________________________

HOME       ALPHABETICAL FILES        REFERENCES

 

SLI – SLY

 

 

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]

 

 

 

SLIAB FEIDLIM. Irish, Air (3/4 time). C Dorian. Standard tuning. AB. Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 3; No. 27, pg. 8.

                       

SLIAB GLAS, AN. AKA and see "The Green Mountain [2]."

                       

SLIAB NA IN BAN. AKA and see "Sliab na mBan.

                       

SLIAB NA mBAN. AKA and see "Sliabh-na-mBan."

                       

SLIABAIRE OG, AN. AKA and see "The Mountain Boy."

                       

SLIABH AUGHTY MARCH, THE. Irish, March (4/4 time). F Major. Standard. AA’BB’. The tune was composed by Father P.J. Kelly, a Columban priest from Woodford, County Galway, notes Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin. The Sliabh Aughty mountains stretch from east Clare to East Galway. Celtic Crossings CD0299-02, Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin & Patrick Ourceau – “Tracin” (1999. Learned from east Galway/London fiddler Lucy Farr).

X:1

T:The Sliabh Aughty March

D:Gearoid O hAllmhurain and Patrick Orceau, "Tracin'"

M:4/4

L:1/8

R:March

Z:Michael Reid

K:G

GA|:B2A>B AG EG|D2 G>F GA BG|E2 c2 BA GB|A2 d>e d2 DG|

B2A>B AG EG|D2 G>F GA BG|E2 c2 BA GF|[1G2 G>F G2 DG:|[2 G2 G>F G2:|

GB|:d2 Bd gd Bd|g2 g>f gd Bd|c2 a>b ag fe|d2 d2 d2 ef|

g2 g>f gd Bd|c2 a>b ag fe|d2 d>e fd fa|[1g2 g>f g2 Bc:|[2g2 g>f g2 :|

                       

SLIABH BÁNA (“The White Mountain” or “The Silver Mountain”). AKA and see "The Silver Tip [1]," "The Top of the Cliff," "The New Mown Meadows," "The Silver Spear," "Miss Lane's Fancy." Irish, Reel. D Mixolydian. Standard. ABCC. Source for notated version: piper Willie Clancy/Liam Mac Flannchadha (Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland) [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 141, pg. 56.

                       

SLIABH BLOOM. Irish, Double Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. ABB. Source for notated verison: Brendan Mulvihill (Baltimore, Md.) [Mulvihill]. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 2, pg. 65.

                       

SLIABH BLOOM REEL, THE.  AKA and see “Seán Ryan’s Reel [1].” Irish, Reel. Composed by Nenagh, County Tipperary, fiddler Seán Ryan (d. 1985). Ryan (The Hidden Ireland), pg. 42.

                                               


SLIABH GALLEN/GAILLEAN [1]. AKA and see "Slieve Gallen," "Sliab Na n-Gallen." Irish, Air (3/4 time). Ireland, County Derry. G Minor (O'Neill, Roche): B Minor (O'Sullivan/Bunting). Standard. AB (O'Neill, Roche): ABB (O'Sullivan/Bunting). Edward Bunting (1840) states that the melody is "a Ballinascreen air, arranged by (the Irish harper Cornelius) Lyons in 1700," and O'Sullivan (1983) adds that Ballinascreen is in County Derry as is the mountain Slieve Gallen. The index to the Irish collector Edward Bunting's 1840 collection records the tune was noted in 1792 "from Hugh Higgins (Co. Roscommon), died in 1796. Very ancient." Higgins (1737-c, 1809) was originally from County Mayo and like many harpers was blind from childhood, although fortunately and differently that most, his family was wealthy and could afford to sponsor his aptitude for music. Arthur O’Neill (1734-1818), a blind harper who played at the Belfast Harp Festival and who was one of the last of the old itinerant harpers, mentions Higgins in his memoirs. As a young man he toured Ireland several times and related meeting other famous harpers:

***

I knew and often met a Hugh Higgins, and in all his peregrinations he

supported the character of an Irish gentleman-harper. I will not set him

down with the tol-lols (i.e. mediocre players) by any means. He was

uncommonly genteel in his manners, and as to his dress I am informed

that he spared no expense in purchasing clothes. But as a blind man is

no judge of colours he was obligated to take his guide’s word for his

fancy. He travelled in such a manner as does and will do credit to an

Irish harper. Hugh was born in a place called Tirawley in the County

of Mayo of very decent parents. His mother’s name was Burk, but losing

the sight at an early period they had the good sense to put him to music,

and they preferred the harp to the bagpipes, on which my dear deceased

friend made such a proficiency as to rank him much, and very much,

above the description of performers called in the last of my observations,

that is, tol-lol.

***

Heymann (1992) repeats the story of Higgin’s efforts to rescue a friend from an Omagh jail. It seems his friend Owen Keenan, like Higgins, was a blind harper who fell in love with the French governess of a family with whom he often stayed for lengths of time. Smitten, the harper managed to raise a ladder outside her window with the intent of eloping with her. He climbed the nineteen feet, climbed through the window and made his way to the bed, only to find that he had entered the chamber not of his beloved, but of an old woman. She raised the alarm and Keenan was packed off to jail.  Higgins went to visit Keenan in jail and, perhaps due to his fine clothes and gentrified airs, was admitted by the jailer’s wife since the jailer himself was away. She was a woman who apparently liked a good time, and in no time the two harpers were entertaining wildly, and drink had been procured and liberally consumed.  When the wife became grandly inebriated the musical pair managed to extricate the key from her pocket and Keenan was away with the help of Higgins’ guide-boy. Rather than make good his escape, however, Keenan returned to the residence of his love for another attempt at elopement—with similar results. He was again apprehended and remanded to jail. When he was brought before the judge, however, Keenan was acquitted, for the magistrate could not fathom how a blind man could manage the ladder in the first place!  Keenan eventually did marry his governess and the pair emigrated to America, where she regrettably proved unfaithful.

***

Bunting (Ancient Music of Ireland), 1840. Heymann (Legacy of the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival), 1992; pgs. 22-23. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 180, pg. 32. O'Sullivan/Bunting, 1983; No. 24, pgs. 39-40. Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 3; No. 57, pg. 16.

X:1

T:Sliabh Gallen [1]

R:Air

M:3/4

L:1/8

N:”Slow with feeling”

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 180

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G Minor

D>^F|G2 G/4A/2<B A>B|G4 G/4A/2<B|F<D C>B, G,2|B,2 D/C/B,/C/ Dz|Bcde c>B|

ABcd B>A|GABc G2 G>A Gz||Bcde dc/B/|ABcd cB/A/|GABc A>G|G>^F D2 GG/A/|

BAGF {=E}FD|CB,/A,/ B,/C/D G,/A,/B,/C/|DG/z/ ^FA/z/ GB/z/|A>G G2 GA|

Bz z2 e/c/d/B/|~Az z2 d/B/c/A/|Gz z2 c/A/B/G/|A>^F (D2 D) (3=F/G/A/|BAGFDC|

CB,/A,/ B,/C/D/G,/ A,B,/C/|DG ^F/G/A/z/ G/A/B/z/|A>G (G2G)||

 

SLIABH GALLEN [2]. AKA and see "Sliav Gallen." Irish, Air (3/4 time). G Minor. Standard. AB. O'Neill (O’Neill’s Irish Music), 1915; No. 16, pg. 18.

X:1

T:Sliav Gallen [2]

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

S:O’Neill – O’Neill’s Irish Music (1915)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G Minor

D/>^F/ | G2 G/A/B A>B | G4 G/A/B | F<D C>B, G,2 | B,2 D/C/B,/C/ Dz | Bcde “tr”c>B |

A/B/c/d/ “tr”B>A | GABc A>B | G2 G>A Gz || Bcde dc/B/ | ABcd cB/A/ | GABc A>G |

G>^F D2 GG/A/ | BAG=F {E}FD | CB,/A,/ B,/C/D G,/A,/B,/C/ | DG/z/ FA/z/ GB/z/ |

A>G (G2 G)A | B2z2 e/c/d/B/ | ~A2z2 d/B/c/A/ | ~G2z2 c/A/B/G/ | A>F (D2 D)(3^F/G/A/ |

BAGF DC | CB,/A,/ B,/C/D/G,/ A,B,/C/ | DG/z/ ^F/G/A/z/ G/A/B/z/ | A>G (G2G) ||

 

SLIEVE GULLAN [3]. AKA and see “The enchantment of Fin MacCool.” Irish, Air (3/4 time). E Minor. Standard tuning. AAB. “An Ossianic air” (Petrie). No apparent relation to versions #1 or 2. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; No. 835, pg. 208.

X:1

T:Slieve Gullan

T:Enchantment of Fin Mac Cool, The

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

S:Standford/Petrie (1905), No. 835

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E Minor

DGF | E3 DGG | G3 [FA][GB][FA] | [G3B3] [FA][GB][Ac] | [B3d3] ded |

c2 BA Bc | d3 ABA | B3 AGG | G3 :|| DGF | EEEDGG | G2 GFG[FA] |

[GB][GB][GB][FA][GB][Ac] | dddded | ccBABc | dddDGF | EEEDGG | G3 ||

 

SLIABH GEAL gCUA NA FEILE. AKA and see “Fare You Well.” Irish, Slow Air (4/4 time). D Major/Mixolydian. Standard tuning. AA’B. The air of a song written in 1890 by Pádraig Ó Maillé, an Irish exile working in the Welsh coal mines. The set dance “The Garden of Daisies” is derived from this melody. Ó Canainn (Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland), 1995; No. 46, pg. 42 (appears as “Sliabh Geal gCua”). Green Linnet GLCD  1211, Kevin Crawford – “In Good Company” (2001). RCA 09026-60916-2, The Chieftains - "An Irish Evening" (1991).

 

SLIABH LUACHRA [1], THE (The Rushy Mountain). Irish, Polka. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Sliabh Luachra is a region along the Cork/Kerry border, famous for its slides and polkas. Mallinson (100 Polkas), 1997; No. 71, pg. 27.

 

SLIABH LUACHRA [2], THE. AKA and see “Art O’Keeffe’s Polka[2]," “The Newmarket (Polka) [3]." Irish, Polka.

 

SLIABH MHACHAIRE [1].  AKA and see “Back of the Haggard,” “Dan O’Leary’s [2],” “Johnny O’Leary’s,” “Let’s Have a Ceilidh,” “Maids of Ardagh,” “The Tournmore,” “The Toormore Polka [2],” “Tuar Mór Polka [2],” “Wallace’s Cross.” Irish, Polka.

X:1

T:Sliabh Mhachaire [1]

T:Maid of Ardagh

M:2/4

L:1/8

K:D

FA/A/ BA|de f2|fe/f/ gc|ed BA|FA/A/ BA|de f2|fe/f/ gc|ed d2:|

|:ef/e/ ce|fe a2|ef/e/ ce|fe c/B/A|ef/e/ ce|fe a2|ef/e/ dB|BA A2:|

 

SLIABH MHACHAIRE [2]. Irish, Reel. D Dorian. Composed by Clare fiddler Martin Hayes.

X:1

T:Sliabh Mhachaire [2]

L:1/8

C:Martin Hayes

M:C|

K:Ddor

e2 dB cAAG|EAAG EAA2|e2 dB cAAc|BGdG eGdG|

                       

SLIABH NA mBAN [1] (The Mountain of the Women). Irish, Air (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AABCCD. This Munster song is from 1798, and words can be found in Ar gCeol Feinig (1927), by Fr. Padraig Breathnach, noted from Nioclas Toibin's singing by Aine Ni Raghallaigh. The name “Mountain of the Women” comes from a legend about the famous Irish hero Fion MacCumhaill, who, having advanced in years, determined it was time to marry.  To help him select a suitable bride he decided that he would call for a race to be run to the peak and down again of a local mountain in County Tipperary, with declared his betrothed. A beautiful maiden named Deirdre won, but apparently found the hero a bit too advanced in years and so ran off with his younger colleague Diarmuid.  The mountain’s name commemorates the event. Accordion player Brendan Begley, a native of Baile na mBoc, Ballyferriter, County Kerry, remembered hearing this song sung at summer house parties when he was young, the sounds drifting into his bedroom. For his family “singing was the main thing…even milking the cows we might be singing” (Blooming Meadows, 1998). Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 3; No. 54, pg. 15.

 

SLIEVENAMON [2] {Sliab-na-mBan} (The Mountain of the Women). Irish, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The title is Anglicised Gaelic. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1976, vol. 4, No. 67 (appears as Gan Ainm). O’Neill (O’Neill’s Irish Music), 1915; No. 312, pg. 155. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 217. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 812, pg. 141. Green Linnet SIF‑1110, Seamus Connolly ‑ "My Love is in America: The Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival" (1991). North Star NS0031, "Dances Across the Sea: Dances and Airs from the Celtic Highland" (1990).

X:1

T:Slievenamon

T:Sliab na mBan

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 812

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

B2 {c/B/A/}|G>DB,>D G,>DB,>D|G>BA>G (3EFE D>F|G>Bd>f g>dB>d|

cBAG Fedc|B>GF>G E>DB,>D|G>AB>G (3EFG D>F|G>Bd>g (3efg d>c|

B2G2G2:|

|:B>c|d>g {a}(3gfg b>g {a}(3gfg|d>gb>g a>gf>g|a>ga>b c’>ba>g|

f>gf>e d>gB>^c| d>g {a}(3gfg b>g {a}(3gfg|d2 b>g (3efg d>c|

(3Bcd g>d A>dc>A|B2 G2G2:|

 

SLIAB NA mBAN [3] (The Mountain of the Women). AKA ‑ "My Love Nell." AKA and see “Star of the County Down.” Irish, Air (4/4 time). B Minor. Standard. AB. A version of the tune usually known as “Star of the County Down.” Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 1; No. 38, pg. 20.

 

SLIABH NA mBAN [4] (The Mountain of the Women). Irish, Slow Air (3/4 or 6/8 time). G Major. Standard. One part (Cranitch, Ó Canainn): AA’B (Mulvihill). Crantich (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; pg. 105. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 2nd Edition, 2006; pg. 148. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 61, pg. 132. Ó Canainn (Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland), 1995; No. 29, pg. 30. MKM7590, Mike McHale – “The Schoolmaster’s House” (2000).

X:1

T:Sliabh na mBan [4]
M:3/4
L:1/8
S:Tom Barrett
R:slow air
N:transposed from song setting in D

Z:Transcribed by Paul de Grae
K:G
(3DEF|G4 cA|B2{cB} A (3GBd|g4 ag|(3fdB c2{dc} Bc|
d3 e dc|B{cB}G Bd cB|A4  (3DEF|
G4 cA|B2{cB} A (3GBd|g4 ag|(3fdB c2{dc} Bc|d3 e dc|
B{cB}G c>A GF|G3 B/c/ (3def|
gB cd fe|d{ed}A B3 A (3GBd|g{ag}B cd fe{fe}|d4 (3DEF|
G4 cA|B3 {cB}A (3GBd|g4 ag|(3f{gf}dB c2{dc} Bc|
d3 e dc|B{cB}G c>A GF|G4||

                       

SLIABH RUSSELL. AKA – “Slieve Russell.” Irish, Double Jig. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. Sliabh Russell, Mt. Russell, is in County Cavan. The tune appears as an untitled piece in Treoir (IV, 1 (pg. 10) and X, 5. Sources for notated versions: set dance music recorded at Na Píobairí Uilleann, late 1980’s [Taylor]; from the playing of piper Séamus Ennis (Dublin), who learned them from his father, a piper taught by Nicholas Markey who in turn had been taught by the renowned piper and pipemaker Billy Taylor of Drogheda and later Philadelphia [Breathnach]. Breathnach (Ceol V, No. 2), 1982. Breathnach (The Man and His Music), 1997; No. 6, pg. 73. Breathnach (CRÉ III), 1985; No. 28, pg. 13. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1974, vol. 3, No. 45. Taylor (Music for the Sets: Blue Book), 1995; pg. 17. Green Linnet GLCD 1200, Lunasa – “Otherworld” (1999). Piping Pig Records PPPCD 001, Jimmy O’Brien- Moran – “Seán Reid’s Favourite” (1996. Learned from Séamus Ennis). Shanachie 79064, Matt Molloy – “Heathery Breeze” (1999). Tara Records TA 1002, Séamus Ennis ‑ "The Pure Drop" (1973). Tara 1002/9, Séamus Ennis – “The Pure Drop” (reissue).

X:1

T:Slieve Russell

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

Z:Barney

K:A Dorian

e2 A Bcd |eaf ged | edB c2 A | BAG Bcd | e2 A Bcd | eaf ged |

edB cBA | BAG A3 :: eaa efg | agf ged | eaa efg | fed g3 | eaa efg |

agf ged | edB cBA | BAG A3 :||

                       

SLIAV GALLEN. AKA and see "Sliabh Gallen" [2].

                       

SLIAMH AN t’SHIRREADH. AKA and see “Sheriff Muir.”

                       

SLIDE. A Irish dance form in 12/8 time, originating from southwest Ireland, particularly in the counties of Cork and Kerry where the majority of slide tunes originated. A slide is played for the fourth figure of the polka set. The slide is a variant of the single jig rhythm and is so named because of the particular sliding movement in the dance which these tunes accompany. This being said, it is important to realise that, while every slide is a type of single jig, not all single jigs can be rendered as slides.  The meter is a very brisk 12/8 time and it is sometimes hard to differentiate between that of a 6/8 jig, however, the slide tunes in general are played at a faster tempo than jigs. Breandan Breathnach’s guideline for differentiating the two was to observe the ending of the tune: a three-quaver group followed by a crochet or dotted crochet denoted a jig, while an ending of two dotted crochets marked a slide.

                       

SLIDE HORNPIPE, THE. Scottish, Hornpipe. B Flat Major ('A' part) & F Major ('B' part). Standard. AABB. Honeyman (Strathspey, Reel and Hornpipe Tutor), 1898; pg. 54.

X:1

T:Slide Hornpipe

M:C

L:1/8

R:Hornpipe

S:Honeyman – Strathspey, Reel and Hornpipe Tutor  (1898)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:B_

B>ba>b g>ec>B|A>f=e>f d>BA>F|_E>ed>e d>BA>B|(3cdc (3BAG (3FGF (3EDC|

B,>ba>b g>ec>B|A>f=e>f d>BA>F|_E>ed>e d>cG>A|c2 ([D2B2] [D2B2]):|

K:F

|:Ec=B=c ecBc|fc=Bc gcBc|_bc=Bc acBc|ec=Bc gcBc|Ec=Bc ecBc|fc=Bc gcBc|

_bc=Bc acBc|[A2f2] [A2f2] [A2f2] z2:|

                       

SLIDE NEILI NI MHATHUNA. AKA and see "Nellie Mahoney's Slide [1]."

                       

SLIEVE BLOOM MARCH. Irish, March. Composed by County Tipperary fiddler Seán Ryan (d. 1985). Ryan (Seán Ryan’s Dream), 36.

 

SLIEVE ELVA. Irish, Slow Air (4/4 time). G Minor. Standard tuning. AAB. "Taken down in 1876 from the singing of James Keane of Kilkee, who was then 83 years of age; whose memory was richly stored with Irish music, and with songs both in Irish and English. He told me at the time, with the greatest confidence and cheerfulness, that he had two years more to live, as his father, grandfather and great‑grandfather all died at 85. Slieve Elva is a mountain in Clare" (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 59, pg. 32.

X:1

T:Slieve Elva

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs  (1909)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G Minor

d=e|f2f2 g2 f/2>d/2c/4=B/4|c2 _BG F2G2|d2 cB G2G2|G4:|

GA|B2 BG f2f2|g2 (3gf=e f4|g2d2 dcBc|{d}e2d2 {c/=B/}c2 d>g|

G2d2 d>c B/G/F/=E/|F2 G2 {A}B2c2|d2 cB G2G2|G6||

                       

SLIEVE GALLEN/GULLAN. AKA and see "Sliabh Gallen/Gaillean." The title is an Englished version of the Gaelic "Sliabh Gaillean" (AKA and see).

           

SLIEVE LUACHRA. Irish, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard. AABB. Slieve Luachra—‘rushy mountain’—is a region along the Kerry/Cork border where Keegan’s daughter currently resides. Composed by fiddler and pianist Josephine Keegan (b. 1935), of Mullaghbawn, south County Armagh. Keegan (The Keegan Tunes), 2002; pg. 66.

                                   

SLIEVE RUSSELL. See “Sliabh Russell.”

                       

SLIEVMAN’S HORNPIPE. Canadian, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard. AABB. Probably a corruption of the Gaelic title “Sliab na mBan.” Source for notated version: Winston Fitzgerald (1914-1987, Cape Breton) [Cranford]. Cranford, (Winston Fitzgerald), 1997; No. 48, pg. 19. Breton Books and Records BOC 1HO, Winston “Scotty” Fitzgerald - “Classic Cuts” (reissue of Celtic Records CX 44).

                       

SLIEVENAMON. AKA and see "Sliabh-na-mBan" [2].

                       

SLIGHTED JENNY. American, Reel. The tune appears in George P. Knauff's Virginia Reels, volume I (1839), but does not appear in later collections.

                       

SLIGO AIR (Fonn Sligaig). Irish, Air (3/4 time, "slow and expressive"). G Major. Standard. AB. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 318, pg. 55.

X:1

T:Sligo Air

M:3/4

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Slow with expression”
S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 318

K:G

dA|B>A GABG|E2D2 (3D>EG|A2 AB/c/ BG| B2A2 dA|B>A GAB>G|

E2D2 (3D>EG|A2 AcB{d}c|{B}A2G2||GE|D2E2 G/A/B/c/|d3 edc|B2A2 (3G>AB|

A4 dA|B>A GA {c}B{A}G|E2D2 A/B/c/d/|A3 cB{d}c|{B}A2G2||

                       

SLIGO BAY. AKA and see “Pay the Reckoning.” Irish, Jig. G Major. Standard. AABB. The tune under this title was recorded in May, 1922, in New York, by South Sligo fiddler James “The Professor” Morrison (1894-1947), with Chicago piper Tome Ennis (1889-1931) and pianist John Muller. Treoir, vol. 36, No. 1, 2004; pg. 28. Antoin MacGabhann – “Ar Aon Bhuille” (1994).

X:1

T:Sligo Bay

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:Treoir, vol. 36, No. 1, 2004

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

G2e dBG | BAB dBA | G2e dBG | AGA BGE | G2e dBG |

BAB deg | age dBG | AGA BGE :: gbg faf | ege def | gfg efg |

aga bge | gbg faf | ege deg | age dBG | AGA BGE :|

 

SLIGO CHORUS, THE ("Claisceadal Sligaig" or "Luinneog Sligig"). Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning. AB. See also the related “O’Rourkes.” Source for notated version: Chicago police patrolman, piper and flute player John Ennis, originally from County Kildare [O’Neill]. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1273, pg. 239. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 541, pg. 101.

X:1

T:Sligo Chorus, The

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 541

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

AG|(3FED AD BDAD|(3FED (3ABc d2 AG|(3FED AD BG (3GFG|BdcA GBAG|

(3FED AD BDAD|(3FED (3ABc d2 (3ABc|dfec dc (3ABc|dcAF G2||AB|

cABG (3ABA AB|cABG A2 ed|cBcd eaaf|gedc dfed|cABG (3ABA AB|

cABG A2 (3ABc|dfec dc (3ABc|dcAF G2||

                       

SLIGO CREEK. American, Reel. B Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. Composed by banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar player Danny Noveck, originally with the title “Ballad of Fred a Wilma” (i.e. The Flintstones). Fortuitously, before it was recorded he changed the name. There is a Sligo Creek in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., near where Noveck was living at the time he composed the melody (originally from New York, he has since moved on to Chicago and Bloomington, Indiana). Source for notated version: Seattle fiddler Steve Trampe via Sue Songer and Lanny Martin (Portland, Oregon) [Songer]. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; pg. 186. Oenoke Records 0001, John Whelan - “From the Heart” (1990). Wild Asparagus 004, Wild Asparagus - “Call of the Wild” (1993).

X:1

T:Sligo Creek

R:Reel

C:Danny Noveck

M:2/2

L:1/8

K:BMin

~f2ef dB~B2|~f2ef def^g|ae~e2 cBAF|EFAB c2de|

~f2ef dB~B2|~f2ef defd|ea~a2 edce|1 dBBA B2de:|2 dBBA B3A|

||:GBBA Bcde|~f2ef defd|eA~A2 cBAF|EFAB c2BA|

GBBA Bcde|~f2ef defd|ea~a2 edce|1 dBBA B3A:|2 dBBA B2de||

X:2

T:Sligo Creek

M:C|

L:1/8

C:Danny Noveck

Z:Transcribed by Philippe Varlet

R:reel

K:D

f2ef dB~B2 | ef{a}fe df~f2 | faed cAAF | EFAB cAce |

f2ef dB~B2 | ef{a}fe df~f2 | faed cAec |1 AB{d}BA Bcde :|2 AB{d}BA B3 A ||

GB{d}BA Bcde | f2ef defd | eA A/A/A cAFA | EFAB cABA |

GB{d}BA Bcde | f2ef defd | a2fa eAce |1 dB{d}BA B3 A :|2 dB{d}BA Bcde ||


                       

SLIGO DANDY, THE. AKA and see “Bag of Potatoes [2],” "An Mala Fatai." Irish, Reel.

                       

SLIGO FANCY, THE. AKA and see “Dunn’s Hornpipe,” “The Flowers of Antrim [1],” “Marquis of Lorne [1],” “McDermott’s Hornpipe [3].” Irish, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Allan's Irish Fiddler, No. 106, pg. 27. Breathnach (Folk Music and Dances of Ireland), 1971; 24.

                       

SLIGO GOLD RING. AKA and see “Gold Ring [3].” Irish, Jig. So named to differentiate the melody from the “Fermanagh Gold Ring” (“Gold Ring [1]).

           

SLIGO JIG (Port Shligigh). AKA and see “The Killavil Jig [1],” “The Trip to Killavil.” Irish, Double Jig. E Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: accordionist Sonny Brogan (County Sligo/Dublin, Ireland), who had the tune from fiddler Fred Finn (Coillte Críona, Sligo) [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 51, pg. 21.

                       

SLIGO LASSES, THE ("Na Cailinide Sligaig" or "Cailini Sligig"). Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AA'B. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 130. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1392, pg. 259. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 636, pg. 114.

X:1

T:Sligo Lasses, The

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 636

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

G2 BG DGBG|D2 (3FED dAFA|G2 BG DGef|1 (3gfe dc BGAF:|2 (3gfe dc BG G2||

g2 bg dgbg|fgag fdef|g2 bg dgbg|dega bg g2|dgbg dgbg|fgag fdef|gaba gedc| (3Bcd AG FDEF||

                                               

SLIGO LASSIES. AKA and see “Up Sligo [1].” Irish, Jig. E Dorian. Standard tuning. AA’BB’. Source for notated version: given to O’Malley by students of New York fiddler and accordion player John McGrath (d. 1955) [O’Malley]. O’Malley (Luke O’Malley’s Collection of Irish Music, vol. 1), 1976; No. 92, pg. 46.

X: 1

T: Sligo Lassies

M: 6/8

L: 1/8

Q: 325

S: Luke O'Malley vol 1

Z: Transcribed by Bill Black

R: Jig

K: Edor

D | EBB {c}BAG | FAA {B}AFD | EBB B/c/dB | AFD E2 D |

EBB {c}BAG | FAA ABc | dcd B/c/dB | AFD E2 :|

|: D | Eee efg | fef dBA | Bee efg | fef d2 A |

Bee efg | fef dBA | BAB GAB | AFD E2 :|

                       

SLIGO MAID (Gearrchaile Shlighigh). AKA and see “The Glendoan Fancy,” “The Glendowan Fancy,” “The Glendowan Reel,” “Old Peter’s Reel,” “The Sligo Maid’s Lament." Irish, Reel. A Dorian (Flaherty, Mallinson, Mulvihill, O’Malley, Tubridy): A Dorian/A Minor (Brody): A Mixolydian/A Dorian (Breathnach). Standard tuning. AABB (Brody, Mallinson, Mulvihill, O’Malley): AA'BB (Breathnach, Mitchell): AA'BB' (Flaherty, Harker, Tubridy). “Sligo Maid” is a very popular session reel. A Prince Edward Island version goes by the title “Old Peter’s Reel.” It has been said that ‘a Scottish variant’ is “Down the Broom,” however, although the title sounds Scottish, “Down the Broom” is an Irish reel. There are some melodic similarities between “Sligo Maid” and “Down the Broom” in both parts, however, whether they are cognate is debatable. Influential recordings of the “Sligo Maid” were made by Paddy Killoran (1904-1965, whose version has been much imitated) and Michael Coleman (1891-1945), both émigrés from south County Sligo. Sources for notated versions: fiddler Tommy Potts (Ireland) [Breathnach]; fiddler Kathleen Morris (Corlisheen, Ballyrush, Co. Sligo) [Flaherty]; piper Willie Clancy (1918-1973, Miltown Malbay, west Clare) [Mitchell]; Barney Enright (Moyvane, Co. Kerry) [Mulvihill]; New York fiddler John McGrath (1900-1955, originally from County Mayo) [O’Malley]; New Jersey flute player Mike Rafferty, born in Ballinakill, Co. Galway, in 1926 [Harker]. Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 124, pg. 51. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 259. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1974, vol. 1, No. 3. Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; No. 53, pg. 146. Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1990; pgs. 56-57. Harker (300 Tunes from Mike Rafferty), 2005; No. 6, pg. 2. Jordan (Whistle and Sing), 1975; 51. Lyth (Bowing Styles in Irish Fiddle Playing, vol. 1), 1981; 63. Mallinson (Essential), 1995; No. 48, pg. 21. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 1977; vol. 1, No. 3. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 2nd Edition, 2006; pg. 105. Mitchell (Dance Music of Willie Clancy), 1993; No. 121, pg. 99. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 3, pg. 1. O’Brien (Jerry O’Brien’s Accordion Instructor), 1949. O’Malley (Luke O’Malley’s Collection of Irish Music, vol. 1), 1976; No. 25, pg. 13. Sullivan (Session Tunes), vol. 2; No. 8, pg. 4. Tubridy (Irish Traditional Music, Book Two), 1999; pg. 25. Folkways FG 3575, Barry, Gorman, Ennis, and Heaney‑ "Irish Music in London Pubs." Folkways FW 8876, Kevin Burke‑ "Sweeney's Dream." Green Linnet 1009, Eire Og Ceili Band‑ "Irish Music: The Living Tradition." Green Linnet SIF 1162, Kevin Crawford - "The D Flute Album." LOCH 1237, Craobh Rua - "No Matter how Cold and Wet You Are as Long as You're Warm and Dry." Outlet 1031, Sean McGuire‑ "Ireland's Champion Traditional Fiddler." The Lahawns - "Live at Winkles." Paddy Killoran - “Paddy Killoran’s Back in Town.”

See also listings at:

Alan Snyder’s Cape Breton Fiddle Recording Index

Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources 

Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info

X:1

T:Sligo Maid

M:C|

L:1/8

R:Reel

K:A Dorian

dB|:A2 BA (3Bcdef|gedB AGEF|G2 BG dGBG|DEGA BAdB|A2 BA Bdef|

gedB AGEG|B2 BG ABGE|1 DEGA BAGB:|2 DEGA BA A2||

|:eaag a2 ga|bgaf ge d2|eggf gage|dega bgag|eaag a2 ga|bgaf ge d2|

eg g2 edBd|1 edgd BA A2:|2 edgd BAGB||