Annotation:Reel of Thulichan

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REEL O' THUILLEACHAN. Scottish, Reel. A Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Surenne): AABBCCDD (Skinner). Fiddler-composer and dancing master J. Scott Skinner (Harp and Claymore, 1904) noted: "'Hoolichan' is danced in Reel time, and the steps used are not Strathspey or Highland Fling steps, but all cutting and shuffling--quick time throughout, and no Figure 8.” The melody is similar to “Reel o' Tulloch." Skinner also included with the tune in his collection a long poem by Robert Ford, entitled “The Reel o' Hoolichan,” whose refrain is:

The auld reel o' Hoolichan,
The bauld reel o' Hoolichan;
They need be fleet upo' the feet
That dance the reel o' Hoolichan.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Skinner (The Scottish Violinist), 1900; p. 25. Skinner (Harp and Claymore), 1904; p. 118. Surenne (Dance Music of Scotland), 1852; p. 90.

Recorded sources:

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