So far I've found 3 versions of it. 2 are 'fiddle'. One is 2/4 the others 4/4. A modern Irish History Tunebook would set it straight, they have sometimes 20 versions by different folk collected from various counties. It's no uncommon for a tune to pass from musician to musician and be adapted in the folk music sense. It makes no sense even to argue over timings etc.

An example of that that I relate very much to is a tune that I will croak tomorrow at sup, haggis in my belly and a brave attempt to get a fine single malt over the gums...the song would be "My heart's in the Highlands." The copy is not close..all the modern versions stray from the original, and who knows if that's accurate.

I gave my son the piper the my Historical Tunes of Ireland..books. I should look for a new one.


John Conley
Musica est vita