The Fiddler’s Companion
© 1996-2008 Andrew Kuntz
_______________________________
Home Alphabetical Files
References
|
TOO - TOZ |
|
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 concertina.net’s
incredibly handy “ABC Convert-A-Matic” at |
TOO LONG IN THIS
CONDITION. Scottish, Pipe Pibroch. This pipe
pibroch, traditionally said to have been composed in response to the long exile
of the Earl of Seaforth following the unsuccessful Jacobite rising of 1715, is
attributed by some to Patrick Og MacCrimmon. A
counter-claim is made for Patrick Mór MacCrimmon, who is said to have composed it following
the Battle of Worcester in 1651 (Collinson, 1975).
TOO MANY CHINCHES. Old‑Time. The
title appears in a list of traditional
TOO YOUNG TO MARRY [1]. AKA and see "Buffalo Nickel [1]," “Cat Ate the Handsaw,” "Chinky Pin," “Crooked Stovepipe [2],” "Darling Child," "Fourth of July," “Grey-Eyed Cat,” "Hair in the Butter," "I'm My Momma's Darling (Child),"
“Lead Out,” “Liesel,”
“Love Somebody [2],” "Midnight Serenade [1],"
"My Love
Is/She's But a Lassie Yet [1],” “Old
Mose,” “Raymondville," "Richmond Blues," “Soapsuds Over the Fence [3],”
"Sweet Sixteen," "Ten Nights in a Bar Room,"
"Yellow Eyed Cat." Old‑Time, Breakdown.
X:1
T:Too Young
to Marry [1]
M:2/4
L:1/8
N:ADae
Tuning
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:A
(f/g/|a)b
ae|f/dd/ [df](f/g/|a)b ag/a/|b/a/b/g/ ef/g/|ab ae|f/dd/ [df]e/f/|g/f/e/d/
c/A/B/c/|
d/ff/ [df]:|
|:(A/B/|d/)B/A/G/ F/E/D/F/|G/A/B/(c/ d)(A/B/|d/)B/A/G/ F/E/D|[EA]>[FA] [EA](A/B/|
d/)B/A/G/ F/E/D/F/|G/A/B/(c/ d>)(A|A/)B/c/d/
e/g/f/e/|[df]>e [df]:|
TOO YOUNG TO MARRY [2].
AKA and see "My Love is/She's But a
Lassie Yet [1], "Miss Farquharson's Reel."
Scottish, Reel. The tune was know in
TOO YOUNG TO MARRY [3]. AKA and see "Trop Jeune Pour s' Marier."
TOOK
HER OUT BEHIND THE BARN. Old‑Time.
The title appears in a list of traditional
TOORMORE JIG (Port an Túir Mhóir).
Irish, Jig. D Major. Standard. AABB. Editor Jackie Small (CRÉ V, 1999) says there are many Sliabh Luachra jigs with this
name, although this one seems unrelated to any others by that name (Toormore is
the name of a village in the region). Tunes that are related, finds Small, are
“The Oak Stick,” “The Humours of Kilkee,” “Better than Worse,” and “Foxy Mary.” Source for notated version:
Kerry fiddler Denis Murphy [Breathnach]. Breathnach (CRÉ V), 1999; No. 52, pg. 26.
TOORMORE POLKA [1]. AKA and see “Tournmore
Polka,” “Tuar Mór Polka [1].” Irish,
Polka. The title comes from Sliabh Luachra accordion player Johnny O’Leary. The
group De Dannan recorded the polkas under the title “Johnny O’Leary’s.” The
melody, points out Paul de Grae, appears as untitled polka in Martin
Mulvihill’s First Collection (1986,
no. 9 in polka section). Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from
TOORMORE POLKA [2]. AKA and see “Maids
of Ardagh,” “Sliabh Mhachaire
[1],” “Tony Lowe’s Polka [2],”
“Tournmore Polka,” “Tuar Mór Polka [1],” “Wallace’s Cross.” Irish, Polka. “Wallace’s
Cross” is a related tune, as is an untitled polka in Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 123. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music
from
TOORMORE SLIDE, THE. AKA and see “(An)
Chóisir,” “The House Party,” “Jack Regan’s.” Irish,
Slide (12/8 time). B Minor. Standard.
AABB. Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; No. 29, pg. 136. Cranitch (Irish Session Tunes: Red Book), 2000;
29. Moylan (Johnny
O’Leary), 1994; No. 238 (appears as “Jack Regan’s”). Paul McGratten – “The Frost is All Over.” Any
Old Time – “
X:1
T:The House
Party
T:The
Toormore Slide (Matt Cranitch's Irish Fiddle Book)
D:"The Night of the Fair",
Dan Herlihy, track 1(b)
R:slide
M:12/8
Z:transcribed
by Paul de Grae.
L:1/8
K:Bm
F2 B BAB d2 e faf|e3 efe c2 e a3|F2
B BAB d2 e faf|
1 e2 d B2 A B3 B2 A:|2 e2 d B2 A B3 d2 e|
|:f3 efe ded c3|BAB dcB A2 F F2 E|F2
B BAB d2 e faf|
1 e2 d B2 A B3 d2 e:|2 e2 d B2 A B3 B3||
TOP AND BOTTOM. Scottish, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning. AA'B.
Kerr (Merry Melodies),
vol. 3; No. 256, pg. 28.
X:1
T:Top and
Bottom
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
S:Kerr – Merry Melodies, vol. 3, No. 256 (c. 1880’s)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
g3 dBd | g3 dBd |1 gfe dcB | edc BAG
:|2 bag fed | Ad^c d3 ||
|: dcB cea | cBA Bdg | edc BAG | FGE
D3 |
gaf gaf | gaf gaf | gdc BcA | GGG G3 :|
TOP IT OFF (Cuir barr air). AKA and see "Connemara Jig." “Rouse It.” Irish, Slip Jig. D Major (Sullivan):
D Major/Mixolydian (Breathnach). Standard. AAB
(Sullivan): AABB' (Breathnach). Breathnach (1963) states Levey’s (1858)
“Connemara Jig” is a version of this tune. Levey includes the tune in his
second volume (1873) under the title “Rouse It,” set in the key of F. Current
versions of the tune feature an extra beat on the last bar of the first part
(with an irregular ‘B’ part as well), possibly in imitation of Seamus Ennis’s
version. See also the related reel-time first part of “The Sunny Banks.” Sources for notated
versions: piper Seán Potts (
X:1T:Top It OffR:slip jigD:Paddy Glackin: Ceol ar an bhFidil le Paddy GlackinZ:id:hn-slipjig-46Z:transcribed by henrik.norbeck@mailbox.swipnet.seM:9/8L:1/8K:DA2F F2F d2A|Bcd e2c d2B|A2F F2F d2A|1 Bcd A2F D2B:|2 Bcd A2F D2g|||:f2d d2d d2f|e2=c c2c c2e|1 d2B B2B B2d|^c2A AAA A2g:|2 d2A Bcd e2^c|d3 d3 d2B||
TOP OF BALVENIE, THE. Scottish, Strathspey. G Major. Standard. AABB'. Composed
by William Marshall (1748-1833).
X:1
T:Top of Balvenie, The
L:1/8
M:C
S:
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
g|G<G (Bc/d/) Gc Bc/d/|DAFD cedB|G<G (Bc/d/) Gc (Bc/d/)|eg (f/g/a/f/) gGB:|
|:g|dgBg dgbg|dgBg aAce|1 dgBg dgbg|(3efg (3fga gG Bg:|2
G>G
(Bc/d/) Gc (Bc/d/)|eg f/g/a/f/ gGB||
TOP OF BEN LOMOND, THE. Scottish, Pipe March. Seaforth
Highlander’s collection. Queen’s Own Highlander’s Collection, Book 1.
X:1
T:The Top
Of Ben Lomand
C:Scottish
March
M:6/8
L:1/8
Q:1/4=120
K:D
a | f<af {G}d>fd | B<dB
{G}A2 B | d>ef a>fd | {g}e>fd {g}e2 a |
f<af {G}d>fd
| B<dB {G}A2 B | d>ef a>f{g}e | {B}d3 d2 :||:
g | a2 (3A/A/A/ f2 (3A/A/A/ | B<dB
{G}A2 B | d>ef a>fd | {g}e>fd {g}e2 g |
a2 (3A/A/A/ f2 (3A/A/A/ | B<dB {G}A2 B | d>ef a>f{g}e | {B}d3 d2 :||
TOP OF
***
The tune was cited as frequently
having been played for
|
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:Top of
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
K:D
dAF DFA | Bed cBA | dcd
dcd
BGB Bcd | AFA ABc | dcd efg | fdd d2 :|
TOP OF
TOP OF MAOL. See “Top
of the Maol.”
TOP OF SWEET DUNMUL, THE. Irish, Air (2/4 time).
C Major. Standard tuning. One part.
Stanford/Petrie (Complete
Collection), 1905; No. 560, pg. 142.
X:1
T:Top of
Sweet Dunmul, The
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:Air
S:Stanford/Petrie
(1905), No. 560
Z:AK/Fiddler’s
Companion
K:C
E/F/ | Gc
cB/c/ | d>f ed/e/ | cB/A? GG | G3f | e>c dc/A/ | G>F EG | cG AB/c/ |
d3f | e>c dc/A/ | G>F EG | cG
A/c/f/>e/ | d3 E/F/ | Gc cB/c/ | d>f e>d |
c/G/A/G/ GG | G3 ||
TOP OF THE CLIFF, THE. AKA and see “Anderson’s (Reel) [2],” "Miss Lane's Fancy,” “My Love is on the Ocean [1],”
"The New Mown Meadows," “Old Silver Spear,” “The Silver Spear,” "The Silver Tip [1]," "Sliabh Bana." Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The melody
appears in
X:1
T:Top of
the Cliff, The
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Reel
S:James
Goodman manuscripts (mid-19th century)
B:Hugh
Shields – Tunes of the
K:G
A2 DE D2 EG|A2 BG AGEG|A2 DE D2
EG|G2 AG EF G2|A2 DE D2 EG|
A2 BG AGEG|c2 z2 B2 z2|G2 AG EF
G2::Bd d2 ed d2|A2 BG AG E2|
Bd d2 eddB|G2 AG EF G2|Bd d2 eddB|A2
BG AG E2|c2 z2 B2d2|G2 AGEF G2:|
TOP OF THE GRAMPIANS.
Scottish, Strathspey. G Major. Standard tuning.
AB. Attributed to Colin MacPherson, Carnoustie, “The Banffshire Bard,” by J.
Scott Skinner (1904). Skinner (Harp and Claymore), 1904; pg. 57.
X:1
T:Top of
the Grampians
M:C
L:1/8
R:Strathspey
C:Colin
MacPherson
S:Skinner –
Harp and Claymore (1904)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
B | d>ed>B A<G G>B |
A<ee>d e>ge<d | d>ed>B A<GG>E | D>B,D>E ({E}G2 GB |
d>ed>B
A<GG>B | A<ee>d e>ge<d | B<ee>d B<dd>B
A>GA<B G2G || d | g>bag e<g d2 |
eaag e<aa>b | g>ba>g e<g
d2 | g<gb>a g2 g>d | g>bag e<g d2 | e<aa>g e<aa>b |
({g}b>ga>f
(3gfe d>B | c>Ad>B G2G ||
TOP OF THE HILL [1], THE (Mullac A Cnuic). Irish, Jig. A
Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB.
O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 45. O'Neill
(Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies),
1903/1979; No. 947, pg. 176.
X:1
T:Top of
the Hill, The [1]
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
S:O’Neill –
Music of
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:A Minor
ABc e2A | g2A e2A | ABc e2A | gze dBG |
ABc eAA | gAA eAA | BGB gfe | dge dBG :|
|: gAg g2f | e^f^g a3 | aAa gze | dge dBG |
gAg g2f | e^f^g a3 | aAa g2e | dge dBG
:|
TOP O' THE HILL [2]. Canadian, Reel. A Major. Standard
tuning. AA. The tune was composed by
TOP OF THE MAOL. AKA and see “The Groves of Gneeveguillia,”
“Maol Mountain,” “Murphy’s Delight,” “The Queen’s Polka,” “Tom Barret’s.” Irish, Polka. A Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. The title is probably correctly called “Top of Maol”
(pronounced Mile) as Maol is a
village in the Sliabh Luachra (
TOP OF THE MORNING [1], THE (Scot na Maidne). AKA and see "Come Down
and Let Me In," "Miss Flynn."
Irish, Hornpipe. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 167.
O'Neill (Music of
Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1571, pg. 291. O'Neill (Dance Music of
X:1
T:Top of
the Morning, The
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Hornpipe
S:O’Neill –
Dance Music of
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
(3DEF|GFGA G2 AB|cAFA G2 AB|cBce
dBGB|AGFE DEFD|
GFGA G2 AB|cAFA G2 AB|cBce dBAB|G2
GG G2:|
|:AB|cBcd e2dc|BABc d2 BA|GFGA B2
AG|A2de dcAF|
GFGA G2 AB|cAFA G2 AB|cBce dBAB|G2
GG G2:|
TOP OF THE MORNING [2] (An Tucfadh Tu A Vaile Lun). Irish, Jig or Air. G Major. Standard tuning. AABB’. Howe (1,000 Jigs and Reels), c. 1867; pg. 22.
X:1
T:Top of the Morning [2]
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
S:Howe – 1000 Jigs and Reels (c. 1867)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
d2g fdc | B2d cAG | GBA ABG | GBA ABc | e2g fdc | B2d cAF |
GAG GAG |
GAG G>AB/c/ ::
d2e c2d | B2d cAG | GBA ABG | GBA ABc | d2e ddc | BdB cAF |
GAG GAF |1 GAG G>AB/c/ :|2 GAG
G3 ||
TOP OF THE MORNING [3] (Mora dhuit
ar Maidin!).
Irish, Reel. Breathnach (CRÉ V), 1999; No. 181.
TOP OF THE ROAD, THE. AKA and see "High Part of the Road." Irish, Double Jig. G Major. Standard
tuning. AABB (Phillips): AA’BB (Mulvihill). Source for notated version:
the Bridge Ceili Band [Mulvihill]. Source for notated version: Becky Tracy
[Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional
American Fiddle Tunes), Vol. 2, 1995; pg. 383. Mulvihill
(1st Collection), 1986;
No. 59, pg. 77.
TOP OF THE SLIEVE
GULLION, THE. Irish, Air (3/4 time, "slow
and sad"). F Major. Standard tuning. One part.
"Song on James Murphy, who was executed on that hill in 1798"
(Joyce). Source for notated version: Hugh O'Beirne, professional fiddler from
Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, c. 1846 (Joyce). Joyce (Old Irish Folk Music and Songs), 1909;
No. 627, pg. 320.
TOP OF THE STAIRS. Irish, Reel. Composed by
TOP THE CANDLE (Deasaid/Deisig an
Coinneal). AKA
and see “The Dusty Miller [9].”
Irish, Slip Jig. D Major. Standard tuning. AAB. Source for notated version:
X:1
T:Top the Candle
M:9/8
L:1/8
R:Slip Jig
S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 428
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:D
DED AzF F2D|c2E EzF G2E|DED AzD
F2D|A,2D DzF ED2:|
||f2 g/f/ ezd c2A|Bze ezd c2A|B2
c/B/ AzG F D2|A,2D DzF ED2|
f2 g/f/ ezd c2A|Bze ezd c2A|B3 A2G
FE2|D/F/z E/G/z F2E||
TOPCROFT REEL. English, Reel. A Major. Standard tuning. AB.
Knowles (A Northern Lass), 1995; pg.
11.
TOPEKA POLKA. American, Polka. B Flat Major ('A' and 'B' parts) & E Flat Major
('C' part). Standard tuning. AAAABB'BB'CC'. Source for
notated version: Donnell Cooley and Tim Hodgson [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol.
2, 1995; pg. 356.
TOPER'S DOUBLE, THE. Irish, Double Jig. E Minor. Standard
tuning. AABB. Source for notated version: fiddler Nicholas Furlong (Mill
of Rags, Wexford, Ireland) [Darley & McCall]. Darley & McCall (The Darley & McCall Collection of
Traditional Irish Music), 1914; No. 76, pg. 35.
X:1
T:Toper’s Double, The
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
S:Darley & McCall – The Feis
Ceóil Collection (1914), No. 76
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:E Minor
B>EE B>EE | B>AG FED |
A>DD A>DD | A>GF EFG |
B>EE B>EE | D>FA d3 |
e>dc B>cA | B>EE E3 :|
|: e>fe edc | def g3 | f>dd a>dd | e>fe edc | e>fe edc |
d>ef g3 | e>dc B>cA |
B>EE E3 :|
TOPS OF THE BRANCHES (Barraidh Na G-Craobh). Irish, Slow Air (3/4 time). D
Major/A Mixolydian. Standard tuning. One part. Source
for notated version: "Sent to me...during 1884 by 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 Songs), 1909;
No. 258, pg. 124.
X:1
T:Tops of the branches, The
M:3/4
L:1/8
R:Air
N:”Slow and with feeling”
S:Joyce – Old Irish Folk Music and Songs (1909)
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:D
AB|c2d2e2|d3c (3BAG|F4 E/F/G|F2D2D2|D4
AG|A2d2e2|f4 ed|e4 dc|B2A2F2|
E4 AG|F2D2E2|DFABcd|e4 dc|B2A2F2|d4
AB|c2d2e2|d3c (3BAG|F4 E>G|F2D2D2|D4||
TOPSEY TURVEY. English. England, Northumberland. One of the "missing tunes"
from William Vickers' 1770 Northumbrian dance tune manuscript. See also “Breast
Knot.”
TOPSFIELD HORNPIPE. AKA and see "Walter's Fancy."
New England, Hornpipe. D Major ('A' part) & B Minor ('B' part). Standard.
AABB. Sanella, Balance and Swing
(CDSS).
TOQUE BLEU(E), LA/LE. French‑Canadian, New England;
Reel. G Major. Standard. AABB. Miller & Perron (New England Fiddlers Repertoire), 1983; No. 159. Page (Ralph Page Book of Contras), 1969; pg.
3.
X:1
T:La Toque Bleue
M:C|
L:1/8
K:G
d2BG d2BG|FG AB cB AG|d2BG d2BG|FG AF G4:|
|:G2GG
FG AB|cA cd Bc AF|G2GG BG dc|Bc AF G4:|
TOR-COILLE UI
CONSAIDIUN. AKA and see "Considine's Grove{s}."
TOR SPIONÁN, AN. AKA and see "The Gooseberry
Bush."
TORE OF TROUP, THE. Scottish, Strathspey. F Major. Standard
tuning. AAB. Composed by Kirkmichael, Perthshire, fiddler and
composer Robert Petrie. The
melody was included in his Second
Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances (1796, pg. 2), dedicated
to his patron and employer, Mrs. Garden of Troup.
X:1
T:The
tore of Troup, A Strathspey
C:Robert
Petrie
S:Petrie's
Second Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances &c.
Z:Steve
Wyrick <sjwyrick'at'astound'dot'net>,
N:Petrie's
Second Collection, page 2
L:1/8
M:C
R:Strathspey
K:F
C|F3
F CFA,F|F3A B(GGA)| F3F CFA,F|BG A/B/c/B/ AFF:|
c|fafc
AFcA |B>c d/c/B/A/ B(GGc)| fafc AFcA |BdTc>B AFFc|
fafc
AFcA |B>c d/c/B/A/ BGGA |TB(ABc) defd
|cABG AFF|]
TORN JACKET, THE. AKA – “Connie O’Connell’s.” Irish, Reel. D
Major. Standard. AABB. Composed by Kilnamartyra (near Ballyvourney in west
Cork) fiddle player Connie O’Connell. Sources for notated versions: Willie and Siobhán
Kelly (New Jersey) [Black]; New Jersey flute player Mike Rafferty, born in
Ballinakill, Co. Galway, in 1926 [Harker]. Black (Music’s the Very Best Thing), 1996; No. 284, pg. 152. Harker (300 Tunes from Mike Rafferty), 2005; No.
124, pg. 37. Drumlin Records, Brain McNamara – “A
Piper’s Dream.” Green Linnet SIF 1162, Kevin Crawford – “The ‘D’ Flute Album”
(appears as “Connie O’Connell’s”). Kells Music KM9509, Mike and Mary Rafferty –
“The Dangerous Reel” (1995). Spin CD 1001, Eoghan O’Sullivan, Gerry Harrington,
Paul De Grae - “The Smoky Chimney” (1996).
|
See also listings at:
Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info |
X:1
T:Torn
Jacket, The
C:Connie
O'Connell
D:The Smoky Chimney
N:played in B flat on album, on tuned‑down
fiddle
R:reel
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:D
F3 A d2 ed|cAAB cd e2|FEFA dfed|cAGE
EDDE|
F3 A d2 ed|cAAB cdec|Adde f2 ed|cAGE
EDDE:|
|:FAdf a2 fa|g3 a gfed|cAAB
cdef|gfed cAAG|
FAdf a2 fa|g3 a gfef|g2 ba gfed|cAGE
ED D2:|
X:2
T: The Torn Jacket
S: Connie O'Connell via Willie & Siobhan Kelly
Q: 350
R: reel
Z:Transcribed by Bill Black
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: D
F3 A dfed | cA A2 (3Bcd ed | FAAF dfed | cAGE FDDE |
FEFA dfed | cA A2 (3Bcd ec | dcde fded | cAGE ED D2 :|
FAdf a3 f | g3 f gfed | cA A2 (3Bcd ed | g2 ed cAGE |
FAdf
a3 f | g3 f gfef | g2 ba gfed | cAGE ED D2 :|
TORN PETTICOAT [1], THE. Irish, Reel. Ireland, County Clare. A Dorian.
Standard. AABB. Alewine (Maid that Cut
Off the Chicken’s Lips), 1987; pg. 32. Boys
of the Lough, 1977; pg. 10. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 57. Philo 1042, Boys of the Lough ‑ "The Piper's
Broken Finger" (1976). Transatlantic TRA 311, Boys of the Lough ‑
"The Piper's Broken Finger."
TORN PETTICOAT [2], THE. AKA and see “The Worn, Torn Petticoat.” Irish, Slide
(12/8 time). Ireland, West Kerry. A Dorian. Standard. AABB’. A slide-time
variation of version #1. Mac Amhlaoibh & Durham (An Pota Stóir: Ceol Seite Corca Duibne/The Set Dance Music of West
Kerry), No. 76, pg. 44. Moylan (Johnny
O’Leary), 1994; No. 82, pg. 47 (appears as “The Worn Torn Petticoat”).
TORNADO HORNPIPE. Canadian, Hornpipe. B Flat Major. Standard. AABB. Composed by Sarnia,
southwestern Ontario, fiddler John(ny) Durocher (1934-1989). According to the
story told by Ron Ritchie (Fiddler
Magazine, vol. 12, No. 2, Summer 2005; pg. 27), the tune was named for a
severe tornado in 1951 in the Sarnia region. Don Messer, the influential radio
fiddler, and his show had been booked to play at a dance pavilion on the shores
of Lake Huron that day, and the storm made a mess of the outdoor venue. The
show went on, however, with the floor being quickly swept clear, and although
some danced around felled trees that night it was one of the largest crowds
ever at the venue. Durocher, in attendance at the event, christened his tune
the “Tornado.” John was born the youngest of sixteen children, to a modest
family of few resources. He quit school in his young teens to help make family
ends meet and remained a factory worker for most of his life, not even
possessing a drivers license. John came to fiddling when he found a broken
fiddle in the trash one day and asked the owner for permission to retrieve it;
with some repair work he had his first instrument. A few lessons from a local
teacher (which served to teach him how to read and write music), were all the
formal music education John received. He was a prolific composer of fiddle
tunes, however, and named them for sports and current events, family and
friends and topics of his day, explains Ritchie. Durocher’s music was picked up
by radio fiddler Don Messer, who included many of his tunes in his broadcasts
and printed collections, helping Durocher to become quite influential in the
Ontario scene for his compositions. Messer (Anthology
of Favorite Fiddle Tunes), 1980; No. 119, pg. 74.