Annotation:Maid at the Churn (1) (The)
Back to Maid at the Churn (1) (The)
MAID AT THE CHURN, THE (An Aindear ag an Cuinneog/Gcunneoig). AKA and see "Merry Woodsman (The)." Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (O'Neill/1850 & 1001): AA'B (O'Neill/Krassen). "The Hag at the Churn" is a similar title, but an unrelated single jig. The word 'maid' has sometimes been substituted for the word 'hag' in titles. The original sense of 'hag' was a wizened old woman, and in Scottish and Irish mythology the cailleach was goddess concerned with creation, harvest, the weather and sovereignty [1], which may or may not be malevlent. Nowadays, our associations with 'hag' is to an old, witch-like woman.
Source for notated version: "McNamara" [O'Neill].
Printed sources: O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; p. 144. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903; No. 1462, p. 271. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907; No. 693, p. 123.
Recorded sources: