Annotation:Phis fhliuch (An)

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PHIS FHLIUCH, AN (The Wet Pussy). AKA and see “Boy in the Bush (The),” “Choice Wife (The),” “O'Farrell's Welcome to Limerick,” “Perfect Wife (The),” “Virgin Mary.” Irish, Slip Jig. D Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). ABBCCDDEE. “The Choice Wife” is Willie Clancy’s polite translation of the obscene title. As “O'Farrell's Welcome to Limerick,” it is the composition of one O’Farrell, an uilleann piper who published three important collections of Irish music between 1797 and 1810, and the first to publish a tutor for the improved Irish instrument. Breathnach (1996) says the tune was given a new lease on life when Seán Ó Riada leafed through Stanford/Petrie, playing occasional tunes which caught his eye for a group of traditional players.

Source for notated version: piper Willie Clancy (1918-1973, Miltown Malbay, west Clare) [Mitchell].

Printed sources: Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland, vol. 2), 1974; No. 53 (appears as “The Choice Wife”). Cotter (Traditional Irish Tin Whistle Tutor), 1989; 61. Mitchell (Dance Music of Willie Clancy), 1993; No. 39, p. 51. Vallely (Learn to Play the Tin Whistle with the Armagh Pipers Club, vol. 3); 11.

Recorded sources: Claddagh 4CC 39, “The Pipering of Willie Clancy Vol. 2” (1983). Hannibal HN4412, Richard & Linda Thompson - “First Light” (1978. Appears as “The Choice Wife”). Shanachie 79010, Planxty - “The Well Below the Valley” (appears in a set with “Kid on the Mountain”). Shanachie 79093, Paddy Glackin & Robbie Hannan – “The Whirlwind” (1995). Tara 3019, Davy Spillane - “Atlantic Bridge” (1987. Appears as part of “Tribute to Johnny Doran”).