The Fiddler’s Companion

© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz

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THRA - THY

 

 

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]

 

 

 

THRASHERS, THE. AKA and see "Buttons Three Farthings A Pair [1]". English, Jig. England, Northumberland. D Major. Standard tuning. AABBCCDD. Seattle (William Vickers), 1987, Part 4; No. 414.

                       

THREADBARE COAT, THE (An Casog Caitigte). AKA and see "Boatman of Kinsale". Irish, Air (4/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning. AB. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 307, pg. 53.

X:1

T:Threadbare Coat, The

M:C

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Moderate”

S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 307

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

D>F|A2 A/B/c/d/ F2 AF|E>FED D2 dB|A>FDF A>BAF|(A4 A)z A2|

A2 A/B/c/d/ F2 A/F/|E>FED D2 zF|B3c dcB^A|(B4 B2||A2|AFAB d3e|

f>efg f>edA|d>efA A>BAF|(A4 A)z A2|A2 A/B/c/d/|

F2 AF|E>FED D2 d>B|A>BAF GFE>F|(D6 D)z ||

                       

THREE A PENNY. Scottish, Strathspey. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 4; No. 82, pg. 11.

X:1

T:Three a Penny

M:C

L:1/8

R:Strathspey

S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 4, No. 82 (c. 1880’s)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

d>ef>d g>ef>d|B<e e>d c<e e>f|d>ef>d g>ef>d|B<e c>A (d2 d)A:|

|:a>fd>f a>fd>f|g>fe>d c<e e>f|a>fd>f a>fd>f|B<e c>A (d2 d)A:|

                       

THREE AROUND THREE. English, Morris Dance Tune (2/4 time). England, Cheshire. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. A North West morris dance tune from Marston, Cheshire. Sweet (Fifer’s Delight), 1965/1981; pg. 81. Cottey Light Industries CLI-903, Dexter et al - "Over the Water" (1993. Learned from the playing of the Knots of May).

X:1

T:Three Around Three

C:Trad

M:4/4

L:1/8

K:G

|:d2BA G2G2|A2BA G2D2|EDEF G2AB|c2B2B2A2|

d2BA G2G2|A2BA G2D2|EDEF G2Ac|B2G2G4:|

|:d2ef gfed|e2e2efge|d2B2B2AG|FGAB A4|

d2ef gfed|e2e2e2d2|ef g2fg a2|g4g4:|

                       

THREE BEES IN THE HONEY. Old-Time, Breakdown. D Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB. The tune was in the repertoire of Barnesville, Ohio, fiddler John W. Hutchison (1915-1979), who had many of his tunes from one ‘old man’ Bondy, and Irishman, according to Kerry Blech. Hutchison’s sons were in a bluegrass band with fiddler Greg Dearth, and many of the father’s tunes were disseminated via that. Source for notated version: Andy Cahan [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), Vol. 1, 1994; pg. 240.

                       

THREE BRAVE LOYAL FELLOWS. Scottish, English; England, Northumberland. As "Three Brave Fellows" it is probably one of the "missing tunes" from William Vickers' 1770 Northumbrian dance music manuscript. Oswald's Pocket Companion, 1740. Front Hall FHR‑08, Alistair Anderson ‑ "Traditional Tunes" (1976).

           

THREE BY SIX AND WALTZ AROUND. American, Dance Tune. USA, Pa. In the repertory of Buffalo Valley, Pa., region fiddler Harry Daddario.

           


THREE CAPTAINS, THE (Na Tri Taoisaig/Taoiseaca). AKA and see "Clark's Favorite," "William Clark's Favorite," "Three Sea Captains." Scottish, Irish; Long or Set Dance (in duple or triple time). G Major. Standard tuning. ABB (Roche): AABB (O'Neill). "From O'Neill, slightly altered" (Roche). The tune appears in the Calvert Collection (1799), assembled by Thomas Calvert, a musician from Kelso, Scotland. A note in the mansucript states that Calvert supplied “a variety of music and instruments, instruments lent out, tun’d and repaired.” See note for “Three Sea Captains” for more. O'Neill (O’Neill’s Irish Music), 1915/1987; No. 389, pg. 186. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 220. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1787, pg. 334. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 961, pg. 165. Roche Collection, 1982, vol. 3; No. 189, pg. 67. Eugene O'Donnell.

X:1

T:Three Captains, The

M:C

L:1/8

R:Set Dance

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 961

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G

D|G>G (3BGB c>AF>A|G>G (3BGB d>BG>G|(3cec A>A (3BdB G>G|

A>Bc>B (3ABG (3FED|G>G (3BGB c>AF>A|G>G (3BGB d>BG>G|

(3cec A>A (3BdB G>G|(3EcB (3AGF G2G:|

|:d|g>g (3fed (3ABc (3def|g>g (3dBd (3ecA A>A|g>g (3bge f>g (3afd|

e/f/ge (3edc d>d (3dcB|c>d (3ecA B>c (3dBG|A>Bc>B (3ABG (3FED|

G>G (3BGB c>AF>A|G>G (3BGB d>BG>G|(3cec A>A (3BdB G>G|

(3EcB (3AGF G2 G:|\

X: 1

T:The Three Captains

M:6/8

L:1/8

B:The Calvert Collection (1799) - Page 14

Z:Andrew Kuntz

K:G

D|G2G BAB|c2A F2A|G2G BAB|d2B G2B|cec A2c|BdB G2B|

gfe dcB|ABG FED|G2G BAB|c2A F2A|G2G BAB|d2B G2B|

cec A2c|BdB G2B|AcB AGF|[B,3D3G3][B,2D2G2]||

f|g3 dBG|ABc def|gfg dcB|ecA A2f|~g2a bge|~f2g afd|

egf ed^c|[F3d3] [F2d2]B|=c2d edc|B2c dcB|A2B ~c2e|

dBG FED|G2G BAB|c2A F2A|G2G BAB|d2B G2B|cec A2c|

BdB G2B|AcB AGF|[B,3G3][B,2G2||

                       

THREE CASE KNIVES. AKA and see “Jock and Tam,” “Lady Susan Montgomery’s Hornpipe,” “Punchanello’s Hornpipe,” “Rusty Gulley [2],” “Three Sharp Knives,” “Three Rusty Swords.” English. See also the related “Forks and Knives” and “Jack’s Gone a Shearing.”

 

THREE CONEY WALK. English, Jig. England, North‑West. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. A ‘coney’ refers to a hare or rabbit. Thus New York's Coney Island was an island once known for its abundance of wild rabbits.Knowles & McGrady (Northern Frisk: A Treasury of Tunes From North West England), 1988; No. 16.

                       

THREE DROPS OF BRANDY.  Irish, Reel. The tune was recorded on 78 RPM for Columbia Records (No. A2309) by Patrick Fitzpatrick.  Fitzpatrick was z  a flute player originally from County Leitrim who learned to play the uilleann pipes after he emigrated to America. Fitzpatrick found a measure of fame and fortune in his new country, performing in various vaudeville companies, and constructed a venue in New York City, called Celtic Hall.

 

THREE DRUNKEN FIDDLERS. AKA ‑ "Three Drunken Sailors." Shetland, Shetland Reel. Shetland, Unst. The tune was in the repertoire of the late Shetland fiddler Gibby Gray.

                       

THREE DRUNKEN SAILORS. See "Three Drunken Fiddlers."

           

THREE FAM'D GENERALS. AKA and see "Fill Every Glass (for Wine Inspires Us)."

                       

THREE FIDDLE SWING. See "Swinging Fiddles."

                       

THREE FLOWERS, THE. Irish, March (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. One part. Tubridy (Irish Traditional Music, vol. 1), 1999; pg. 3. Vallely (Learn to Play the Fiddle with Armagh Pipers Club), 197?; pg. 22.

X:1

T:Three Flowers, The

L:1/8

M:4/4

R:March

K:G

Bc|d2d2B2g2|f2f2A3B|c2A2G2F2|G6 Bc|d2d2e2fg|a2a2b3a|g2e2d2ef|

g6 Bc|d2d2e2fg|a2a2b3a|g2e2d2ef|g6Bc|d2d2B2g2|f2f2A3B|c2A2G2F2|G6||

                       

THREE FORKS OF BIG SANDY. See "Forks of Sandy [1]."

                       

THREE FORKS OF CHEAT. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, West Virginia. A Major. AEac# tuning. AA'BCC'. In the repetoire of West Virginia fiddler Edden Hammons. Source for notated version: Burl Hammons (W.Va.) [Reiner & Anick]. Reiner & Anick (Old Time Fiddling Across America), 1989; pg. 75. Library of Congress AFS L65‑66, Burl Hammons ‑ "The Hammons Family." Rounder 0113, Trapezoid ‑ "Three Forks of Cheat" (1979. Learned from W.Va. fiddlers Burl and Sherman Hammons). Edden Hammons Collection II, Disc 1.

                       

THREE FORKS OF HELL. Old-Time, Breakdown. A banjo piece from Mill Creek, West Virginia, banjo player Arthur D. Johnson, via folklorist Gerry Milnes. Jim Taylor (1996) says the tune is associated with the Civil War battle of Cheat Mountain, fought in what is now West Virginia in September, 1861. The battle was a rare defeat for General Robert E. Lee, and led to the abandonment of that part of what was then Virginia to the Union forces for the remainder of the war. Source Johnson remarked that bitter feelings remained for years afterward, and that in the area around Cheat Mountain sentiment ran so strong that one risked life and limb by playing this tune publicly. Jim Taylor – “The Civil War Collection” (1996).

                       

THREE FORKS OF (IN THE) KENTUCKY RIVER. Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, southwest Virginia. In the repertoire of Fiddlin' Cowan Powers 1877‑1952? (Russell County, southwest Va.) and recorded by him and his family band for Victor in August of 1924, though apparently unissued.

                       

THREE FORKS OF REEDY. Old-Time, Breakdown. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB'. Both parts are irregular in metre. Source for notated version: John Johnson [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), 1994; pg. 241.

                       

THREE FORKS OF SANDY. AKA and see "Forks of Sandy," "Roll 'em Up Sandy."

                       


THREE GOOD FELLOWS DOWN IN YON GLEN. AKA ‑ "There's Three Guid Fellows Ayont Yon Glen." Scottish, Brisk or Slow Air (9/8 time). G Minor (Gow): G Dorian (Johnson): A Dorian (Kerr, McGibbon): A Mixolydian (Martin). Standard tuning. AAB (Carlin): AABBCC (Kerr): AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKKLL (Johnson, McGibbon). A note in Gow asserts this tune was a particular favorite of famous Scots fiddler Niel Gow. Seattle thinks this may be the same tune as "Three Brave Fellows." Johnson's version was set by William McGibbon and is closely based on Disblair's version (in the 1740 McFarlane Manuscript., vol. ii, no. 42). The tune follows a truncated form of the passamezzo antico chord progression, identifies Johnson, though nothing is known about the tune. Sources for notated versions: McGibbon's 1746 Scots Tunes, vol. ii, pg. 18 [Johnson]; William Gunn Bagpipe Bood 3rd Collection [Martin]. Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 562. Johnson (Scottish Fiddle Music in the 18th Century), 1984; No. 18, pgs. 44‑45. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 3; No. 285, pg. 31 (appears as "There's Three Guid Fellows"). Martin (Traditional Scottish Fiddling), 2002; pg. 83. McGibbon (Scots Tunes, book II), c. 1746; pg. 50-51.

X:1

T:There’s three good fellows ayont yon Glen

M:9/8

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”Brisk”

S:McGibbon – Scots Tunes, book II, pg. 50-51  (c. 1746)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Minor

c | A3 EAB c2d | G3 EGB d2e | cBA EAB cec | dc(B B)e^G A2 :|

|: e | a2A c2e (c’ba) | b2d B2d gbg | (c’ba) gfe dcB | cBA ^GeE A2 :|

|: e | c2A E2A c2A | B2D G2d g2b | e2E cde (abc’) | bc’a e(a^g) A2 :|

|: a | (c’ba) (eac’) (eac’) | (bag) dgb dgb | (c’ba) eag fed | cBA E(a^g) a2 :|

|: c | AcA E2A cBA | GBG D2G BAG | AcA E(AB) (cd)e | (dcB) e2E A2 :|

|: a | (c’/b/a/b/c’) (e/d/c/d/e) A2a | b/(a/g/a/b) (d/c/B/c/d) G2B | (e/d/c/d/)e (c’/b/a/b/c’) (e/d/c/d/e) |

(c/d/c/B/)A Ea^g a2 :: c/d/ | (e/d/c/B/A) (e/d/c/B/A) “tr”c2 B/c/ | (d/c/B/A/G) (d/c/B/A/G) (B>A^G/^F/) |

E(A/^G/A) E(c/B/c) A>cB/A/ | B2f e2^G A2 :: e | Ace a2A c2e | GBd g2B d2g | ceg c’2e d2b |

c2a B2^g a2 :: E | (A/B/c/d/e) (A/B/c/d/e) cBA | (G/A/B/c/d) (G/A/B/c/d) BAG | Ac(e e)c(a a)e(c’ |

c’)ba ea^g A2 :: e | (a/b/c’)a e2a (c’ba) | (g/a/b)g d2g bag | (a/b/c’)a (ea)e (ce)c | dc(B B)eE A2 :|

|: c/d/ | (e/d/c/B/A) EAc EAc | (d/c/B/A/G) DGB DGB | cBA a2g f2e | dc(B B)eE A2 :|

|: a | c’b(a a)ea c’ba | ba(g g)dg bag | c’ba eae dbd | cac Ea^g a2 :|

                       

THREE GRACES, THE. Scottish. John Glen (1891) finds the earliest appearance of the tune in print in Joshua Campbell's 1778 collection (pg. 63).

                       

THREE HALFPENCE A DAY [1] (Tri Leat Pinginne Gac La). AKA and see "Very Poor Pay." Irish, Double Jig. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. At one time three halfpence a day was referred to as the common wage for an ordinary laborer or soldier. Source for notated version: O'Neill later in life obtained this version of the tune from the manuscripts of Timothy Downing, a gentleman farmer of Tralibane, County Cork, who taught O'Neill the rudiments of the flute when the latter was a boy during the 1860's [O'Neill/Irish Folk Music]. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 364, pg. 74.

X:1

T:Three Halfpence a Day [1]

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 364

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Dorian

B|cBA BAG|AGE GED|cBA dBG|EAA A2B|cBA BAG|AGE GED|EFE E2D|EAA A2:|

|:B|cBc dcd|ecA GED|cBc d=fd|cAB c2d|edc dcB|cBA GED|EFE E2D|EAA A2:|

 

THREE HALFPENCE A DAY [2]. Irish, Jig. D Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. The melody modulates to G major briefly in the ‘B’ part. O’Farrell (Pocket Companion, vol. II), c. 1806; pg. 121.

X:1

T:Three Halfpence a Day [2]

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:O’Farrell – Pocket Companion, vol. II (c. 1806)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D Minor

A | D2E F2G | A2A ABG | A2A ABG | AFD D3 | D2E F2G | A2A ABG |

f3 fed | cAG F2 :: c | =BGG AGG | =BGG AGG | gag g^fe |

dBG G2c | BGG AGG | BGG AGG | fag fed | cAG F2 :|

                       

THREE HANDED REEL [1]. English, Reel. E Minor. Standard tuning. AABB. Hardings All-Round Collection, 1905; No. 125, pg. 39.

X:1

T:Three Handed Reel [1]

M:2/4

L:1/8

R:Reel

S:Harding’s All-Round Collection, No. 125  (1905)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:E Minor

B/>A/|GE EE/F/|G/F/G/A/ BA/G/|FD DD/E/|F/E/F/G/ AB/A/|

GE EE/F/|G/F/G/A/ BA/G/|F^E/F/ A/A/G/F/|EGE:|

|:B|ee/f/ gf/e/|bb (cB)|bb c/c/B|(cB) (CB,)|

ee/f/ gf/e/|bb (cB)|B/F/F/G/ A/A/G/F/|EGE:|

 

THREE HANDED REEL [2]. English, Morris Dance Tune (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AAB. The tune was collected from dancers in Bromsberrow Heath, Gloucestershire, in England's Cotswolds. Bacon (The Morris Ring), 1974; pg. 113.

                       

THREE IN ONE TWO-STEP. Old‑Time, Country Rag. USA, Texas. F Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB'CC' (Brody): AA'BC(x3)AA'DE (Phillips). A medley of three tunes, including the "Dill Pickle Rag." Source for notated versions: Daniel Williams with the East Texas Serenaders (east Texas) [Brody, Phillips]. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 276. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; pgs. 148-149. County 410, "The East Texas Serenaders, 1927‑1936" (1977). Run of the Mill String Band - "Along the Way."

                       

THREE JOLLY SHEEPSKINS [1]. English, Sword Dance Tune (2/2 time). A Major. Standard tuning. AB. Bayard (1981) in tracing the ancestry of the American tune "Black‑Eyed Susie" dates the tune to the 17th century and says it was popular then and throughout the 18th. Versions have appeared in Aird (1778, vol. 1, No. 178), Oswald (1780?, Caledonian Pocket Companion, vol. 2, pg. 10), Dauney (1838, No. 31, pg. 228), Walsh (1731, Compleat Country Dancing Master, vol. 1, No. 20), John Gay's Polly (Air 24), Moffat and Kidson (Dances of the Olden Time, 1912, pg. 18) and Kidson (Old Country Dance and Morris Tunes, 1913, pg. 4). The first figure is from the area of Flamborough, England. One of the earliest recordings of the melody was in 1909 when Cecil Sharp waxed it on a cylinder from the playing of John Locke, Leominster, Hereford, described as a “gipsy fiddler.” A sheepskin reel involves a line of three dancers moving around three stationary objects, dancers or other target. See also "Three Sheepskins." Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 77.

X:1

T:Three Jolly Sheepskins [1]

L:1/8

M:2/2

S:Flamborough

K:A

ABcd efec|BGEG BGEG|ABcd efec|BG (3EFG A2 (3EFG|ABcd efec|
BGEG BGEG|ABcd efec|BG (3EFG A2A2||fgag fgag|fg (3agf b2 ag|

f^efg f2 =e2|BcdB A2A2|fgag fgag|fg a2b2 ag|f^efg f2 =e2|c2 dB A2A2||

 


THREE JOLLY SHEEPSKINS [2]. Unrelated to the above. English, Sword Dance Tune (2/2 time). A Major. Standard tuning. AB. Third figure from the area of Sleights, England. One of the earliest recordings of the melody was in 1909 when Cecil Sharp waxed it on a cylinder from the playing of John Locke, Leominster, Hereford, described as a “gipsy fiddler.” Karpeles & Schofield (A Selection of 100 English Folk Dance Airs), 1951; pg. 28. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 73.

X:1

T:Sheepskins [2]

M:4/4

L:1/8

S:John Locke (1909)

K:A

c3BA2c2 | d2 dc B4 | c3B A2c2 | B2G2 EGAB | c3B A2c2 | d2 dc B4 |

c4 B3G | A2A2 A4 || e2a2e2a2 | g2f2g2f2 | e2a2e2a2 | g2a2b4 |

e2a2e2a2 | g2f2g2f2 | e4 c’3b | a2b2 a4 ||

 

THREE JOLLY SHEEPSKINS [3]. English, Reel. B Flat Major. Standard. AABB. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 37, pg. 32.

                       

THREE JOLLY TOPPERS, THE. Irish, Air (6/8 time, "spirited"). D Major. Standard. ABC. Source for notated version: c. 1884, from "Mr. Francis Hogan of South Lodge, Brenormore, near Carrick‑on‑Suir, a good musician and a great enthusiast in Irish music and song" (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Song), 1909; No. 276, pg. 131.

X:1

T:Three Jolly Toppers, The

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Air

N:”With spirit”

N:The chorus is the third section
S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs (1909)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

(A/G/)|F2F FED|d3 A2G|F2F EFG|F2E D2F|A2F DFA|d3 c2d|e2d c2B|A3 z2||A|

d2d dcd|f2d dcd|B2B Bcd|e2d c2B|A2G F2E|D2E F2A|B3 c2c|d3 z2||

B|A3 GAG|F2E DFA|[F3B3] [E2c2] [Ec]|[D3d3] z2||

                       

THREE LIEUTENANTS. AKA and see “Pither in Enough.”

                       

THREE LITTLE DRUMMERS [1] (Na Tri Drumadoiride Beag). AKA and see "The Aherlow Jig," "Cock in the Heath [1]," "Connie O'Connell's (Jig) [1],” “The Geese in the Bog,” “Ha’Penny Bit,” "Humors of Duagh," "Humors of Listivain," “The Jolly Old Wife,” "The Money I Want," "The Nuptial Knot," "Quinn's Jig," "Spirits of Whisky [2]," "Tenpenny Bit [1]," "Two and Sixpenny Girl." Irish, Double Jig. Ireland, County Leitrim. A Minor (Stanford/Petrie): A Mixolydian (Cole, Mulvihill): A Dorian (O'Neill, Stanford/Petrie): E Dorian (Moylan). Standard. AB (Stanford/Petrie). AABB (Cole, Moylan, Mulvihill, O'Neill/Krassen): AABBCC (O'Neill/1850, 1001 & 1915). Bayard (1981) identifies this as one more member of the of the myriad "Welcome Home" tune family. See Bayard's (1944) note for "Red Brick House in Georgia Town" for more on this tune family and related tunes. Petrie (1855) identifies the tune as “a county of Leitrim jig.” O’Neill (1910) remarked that “Highland pipers seldom play any other Irish jig for dancers but this, and it is to be found in most of their books of bagpipe music.” The famous uilleann pipe virtuoso Patsy Tuohey recorded the tune on an Ediphone cylinder around 1907. See also the first part of “Matt Teahan’s Delight,” notes Paul de Grae. Sources for notated versions: Francis O’Neill remembered hearing two parts of the tune as a boy in County Cork, the third (which is the second strain of the unnamed version in Stanford/Petrie) he learned in Chicago [O’Neill]; accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border), recorded at Na Píobairí Uilleann, October, 1984; O’Leary said: “‘Tis Din Tarrant played it, Doody’s uncle. ‘Tis him I heard playing it first above in Knocknagree” [Moylan]; “From P. Carew’s MS” (Stanford/Petrie). Bayard (Hill Country Tunes), 1944; No. 46 (appears as "Quadrille"). Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 67. Giblin (Collection of Traditional Irish Dance Music), 1928; 76. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 1; pg. 36. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary), 1994; No. 138, pg. 81. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 26, pg. 124. O'Neill (O’Neill’s Irish Music), 1915/1987; No. 143, pg. 82. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 47. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 969, pg. 180. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 189, pg. 45. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pgs. 92 & 97. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; Nos. 110, 953 & 954, pgs. 28 & 243. Flying Fish FF‑246, The Red Clay Ramblers ‑ "Hard Times" (1981). Yazoo 7008, Patsy Tuohey (et al) – “Wheels of the World.”

X:1

T:Three Little Drummers, The [1]

M:6/8

L:1/8

R:Jig

S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 189

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:A Minor

g/f/|eAA eAA|BAB GBd|eAA eAA|de^f gfg|eAA eAA|BAB GBd|de^f gdB|BAA A2:|

|:d|eaa eaa|egg egg|eaa eaa|de^f gdB|eaa eaa|egg egg|de&f gdB|BAA A2:|

|:d|eaa a^ga|bab ged|eaa a^ga|bab g2d|eaa a^ga|bab ged|de^f gdB|BAA A2:|

 

THREE LITTLE DRUMMERS [2], THE. AKA and see “The Big Ship come over the Bay,” “The Bouchaleen Buidhe,” “Kitty’s Wedding [2],” “The Maidens of Tir Eoghain,” “McArdle’s Fancy,” “Off to Donnybrook,” “Out on the Ocean [2],” “Paddy the Dandy [1],” “Pride of Leinster,” “Ships in Full Sail.”

 


THREE LITTLE DRUMMERS [3], THE. Irish, Jig. Ireland, County Clare. G Major. Standard. AABB. No relation to “Three Little Drummers” [1]. Source for notated version: concertina player Chris Droney (County Clare) [Black]. Black (Music’s the Very Best Thing), 1996; No. 308, pg. 165 (appears as “Droney’s Drummers,” a re-titling by Bill Black, who apparently thought Droney’s title was in error).  Chris Droney - “The Fertile Rock.”

X:1

T: Droney's Drummers

S: Chris Droney

Q: 325

R: jig

M: 6/8

L: 1/8

K: G

A | BAG g2 e | gfg abc' | bag edc | BdB cBA |

BAG g2 e | gfg abc' | bag edB | def g2 :|

e | gdd gdd | gdd dcB | Acc Acc | Acc cBA |

B3 cdc | BAG Adc | BAG edc | def g2 :|

                       

THREE LITTLE NIGGERS LAYIN' IN BED. American, Reel. USA, southwestern Pa. G Major. Standard. AABB. Bayard (1981) thinks this tune related to the familiar "Shortenin' Bread [1]." Source for notated version: Samuel Losch (elderly fiddler from Juniata County, Pa., 1930's) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 42, pg. 34.

 

THREE MAIDS OF PERTH. Canadian, Hornpipe. A Major. Standard. AABBCCDD. . Source for notated version: Cape Breton piper Charlie Brown, who had the tune from the late innkeeper and pipe instructor Harold Sutherland, of Alma, Pictou County, Nova Scotia [Shears]. Shears (The Gathering of the Clans Collection, vol. 1), 1986; pg. 63.

                                               

THREE MEET [1]. AKA and see "When Daylight Shines."

 

THREE MEET [2]. AKA and see "The Muses." English, Jig. D Major. Standard. AABBCC. Kennedy (Fiddlers Tune Book), Vol. 2, 1954; pg. 45 (appears as "The Muses"). Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 103.

X:1

T:Three Meet [2]

L:1/8

M:6/8

K:D

A/G/|FAd FAd|BAB e2d|cBc ABc|d2f a2A/G/|FAd FAd|

BAB e2d|cBc ABc|d2f d2:|

|:a|faa eaa|ded cBA|dcd ede|faf e3|d2d A2A|g2g f2f|ede fed|B2c d2:|

||B|B^AB BAB|efg f2B|egf edc|B2c F2F|B^AB BAB|efg f2e|Bgf edc|B3B2||

 

THREE MEET [3]. AKA and see "The Pleasures of the Town [1]." English, Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. Karpeles & Schofield (A Selection of 100 English Folk Dance Airs), 1951; pg. 6. Sharp (Country Dance Tunes), 1911‑1922, vol. 2, pg. 14 (1st part). Sharp (Country Dance Tunes), 1909/1994; pg. 13.

X:1

T:Three Meet [3]

T:Pleasures of the Town

M:6/8

L:1/8

S:Sharp – Country Dance Tunes

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:D

A| F2A d2A | B2B e2d | d2d cBc | d2d f2A |

F2A d2A | B2B e2d | d2d cBc | d3 d2 :|

|: z | f2a e2a | fed cBA | d2d ede |faf e3 | d’3 a3 |

g3 f3 | {f}ede fed | B2c d2 :|

                       

THREE MERRY MEN. English, Ballad Air (cut time). B Flat Major (Chappell): A Major (Kines). Standard tuning. AB. The air appears in John Playford's MS Commonplace Book, while the words can be found in Peele's The Old Wives' Tale (1595). Shakespeare has Sir Toby mention the ballad, among others, in Twelfth Night (act II, scene 3). Only four lines seem to have been given by Chappell, Long and Gibbon:

***

Three merry men and three merry men and three merry men are we.

I in the wood and thou on the ground and Jack sleeps in the tree.

Hold thy peace, and I prithee hold thy peace.

Thou Knave, hold thy peace thou knave, thou knave.

***

Chappell (Popular Music of the Olden Time), vol. 1, 1859; pg. 197. Kines (Songs From Shakespeare's Plays and Popular Songs of Shakespeare's Time), 1964; pg. 11.

X:1

T:Three Merry Men

M:C|

L:1/8

S:Chappell – Popular Music of the Olden Times (1859)

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:B_

d4 c2d2 B4 F4 | B4 A2B2 D4 E4 | F4 B3A B2c2 d4 | c8 ||

c4 c2A2 F4 F4 | f4 f2e2 d4 B4 | c4 c4 c2d2 e4 | d8 ||

                       

THREE MERRY MEN OF KENT. English, Air (4/4 time). G Minor. Standard tuning. AAB. The song appears in the ballad opera The Jovial Crew (1731), though the original lyrics have been lost.

***

He that will not merry, merry be,
With a generous bowl and toast;

May he in Bridewell be shut up,

And fast bound to a post.

Let him be merry, merry, merry there,

And we will be merry, merry, merry here;

For who can know where we may go,

To be merry another year, Brave boys,

To be merry another year.

***

Chappell (Popular Music of the Olden Time), vol. 2, 1859; pg. 161.

X:1

T:Three Merry Men of Kent

L:1/8

M:C

S:Chappell – Popular Music of the Olden Time

Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion

K:G Minor

D2|G2B2A2d2|cBAB ^F2D2|G2 AB cBAB|G6:|

A2|B2 Bc d2 de|dedc B2B2|B2 AB cdcB|A6 d2|

C2B2A2c2|B2G2^F2D2|G2 AB cBAB|G4D4|

F6D2|G2 AB cBAB|G6||

                       

THREE MERRY SISTERS. AKA and see “Cross Road [1],” “Merry Sisters,” “Mill Town Maid.” British Isles (?), Reel. E Dorian. Standard tuning. AABBCC. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 6. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883.

X:1

T:Three Merry Sisters

M:C|