Annotation:Men of the West (1)

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MEN OF THE WEST (1). AKA and see "Rosin the Beau." Irish, Waltz. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABC. The Irish fiddle master Michael Coleman recorded the tune under this title in 1934, although it is better known as the air to the song "Roisin the Beau." "The Men of the West" is the name of another song set to the melody by Irish nationalist and poet William Rooney [1] (1873–1901). It begins:

When you honor in song and in story
The names of the patriot men,
Whose valor has covered with glory
Full many a mountain and glen,
Forget not the boys of the heather
Who rallied their bravest and best
When Ireland was broken in Wexford
And looked for revenge to the West.

CHORUS:
I give you the gallant old West, boys,
Where rallied our bravest and best
When Ireland lay broken and bleeding;
Hurrah for the men of the West!

The waltz is often played in a medley with "Mrs. Kenny," as per Coleman's pairing.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 1977; vol. 2, No. 67. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 2nd Edition, 2006; p. 144.

Recorded sources: Ace of Hearts AH 95, "Irish Dance Party." Coleman Heritage Centre, Michael Coleman - "The Enduring Magic" (2005).

See also listing at:
Hear Coleman's recording on youtube.com [2] (marred by an unfortunate guitar accompaniment).

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