Annotation:I Will Neither Spin Tow Nor Flax

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I WILL NEITHER SPIN TOW NOR FLAX. Irish, Air (9/8 time). The note for the tune in The Dublin Magazine (July, 1842, p. 66) gives:

We obtained this air from Edward O'Reilly, under the name of "Ni Rince Me Banniac na Lin" – literally – not will-stretch I tow nor flax. It has been rendered, "I will neither spin" &c.; but the proper phrase for "I will not spin," &c. would be ni rniomra riab, "neither do they spin." There is a gay strain pervading this air well suited to the occupation of spinning. It is in the beautiful antique Celtic 9/8 time, and we deem it to be "very ancient."

Editions of The Dublin Magazine seems to have been the source for several melodies later printed in New York by P.M. Haverty.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: The Dublin Magazine, July, 1842; No. 23. P.M. Haverty (One Hundred Irish Airs vol. 2), 1858; No. 185, p. 83.

Recorded sources:




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