Annotation:Willow Tree (4) (The)

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WILLOW TREE [4], THE. AKA and see "Gearrchailiu Chontae Mhuigheo," “Green Meadow (1),” “Hag's Reel (The),” “Johnny When You Die (1),” “Mayo Lasses (The),” “Old Maids of Galway (The),” “Over the Moor to Maggie (2),” “Paddy's Gone to France,” “Waynesboro,” “West Mabou Reel.” Canadian, Irish (origially); Reel. The name "Willow Tree" for the tune was the invention of Cape Breton fiddler Howie MacDonald, who apparently did not remember (one of) the correct names of this Irish reel, which is usually known as “Over the Moor to Maggie (2)." Finding himself recording it but having no title, MacDonald named it after a gas station near the studio. The "Willow Tree" has been picked up by other Cape Breton fiddlers and appears on a few albums.

Brendan Breathnach (CRE 1, 1963) lists "Green Meadows" in conjunction with "Ballina Lass (The)," "Hag's Reel (The)," "Old Maids of Galway (The)," "Paddy's Gone to France," and "Gearrchailiu Chontae Mhuigheo," and, while related, these tunes appear to represent another branch of development of what may be a common ancestor. See note for "annotation:Over the Moor to Maggie (2)."

Source for notated version:

Printed sources:

Recorded sources: Atlantica Music ATLD 0193, Howie MacDonald - “The Celidh Trail” (1993). Atlantica Music 02 77657 50222 26, Howie MacDonald - “Atlantic Fiddles” (1994).

See also listing at:
Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recordings Index [1]
Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [2]

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