Annotation:Wheels of the World (1) (The)

Back to Wheels of the World (1) (The)

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WHEELS OF THE WORLD [1], THE (Rothaí an Domhain). Irish, Reel. D Mixolydian (Cranitch, Breathnach): D Mixolydian/Major (Flaherty, Miller, Vallely). Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Breathnach): AAB (Cranitch): AABB (Brody, McNulty, Miller): AA'BB' (Flaherty, Vallely). The “Wheels of the World” is also the name of a famous song, a version of which was first published in Belfast in 1801 soon after the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Fiddler James Morrison famously recorded the tune in New York in December, 1930, paired with “Rakish Paddy.” Coincidentally, it was also recorded in the same month in Chicago by fiddlers Francis Cashin and Tom Cawley, backed by a piano player named Ford. See also the related “Rolling Down the Hill (2).”

Source for notated version: James Morrison (Co. Sligo, Ireland/New York) [Brody]; flutist Éamonn de Stabaltún (Ireland) [Breathnach]; fiddler Fred Finn (1919-1986, Kiltycreen, Kilavil, County Sligo) [Flaherty].

Printed sources: Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 168, p. 66. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; p. 290. Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; p. 108. Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1990; p. 75. McNulty (Dance Music of Ireland), 1965; p. 16. Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 266, p. 159. Vallely (Play 50 Reels with Armagh Pipers Club), 1982; No. 14, p. 9.

Recorded sources: Claddagh CC17, Seán Keane "Gusty's Frolicks" (1975). Green Linnet GLCD 3009/Mulligan 021, Kevin Burke "If the Cap Fits" (1978. Sean Ryan's version). Shanachie 33001, James Morrison "The Wheels of the World." Shanachie 29003, Tommy Peoples and Paul Brady "The High Part of the Road." Philo F12018, Jean Carignan - "Plays the Music of Coleman, Morrison, and Skinner" (appears as one of "Jim Morrison's Reels"). Tara CD4011, Frankie Gavin – “Fierce Traditional” (2001).

See also listings at:
Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [1]
Alan Ng’s Irishtune.info [2]

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