Bucks of Oranmore (The)

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Theme code Index	5351H 5362
Also known as	Bucks of Cranmore (The), Bucks of Carranmore (The), Hearty Bucks (The)
Composer/Core Source
Region	Ireland
Genre/Style	Irish
Meter/Rhythm	Reel (single/double)
Key/Tonic of	D
Accidental	2 sharps
Mode	Ionian (Major)
Time signature	4/4
History
Structure	ABCDE
Editor/Compiler	Biography:James S. Kerr
Book/Manuscript title	Book:Merry Melodies vol. 4
Tune and/or Page number	No. 167, p. 19
Year of publication/Date of MS	c. 1880's
Artist	Biography:Thomas Ennis & James Morrison
Title of recording	Blackberry Blossom (miss-named, as the set of reels is "Limestone Rock" and "Bucks of Oranmore"
Record label/Catalogue nr.	Gaelic 1006B (78 RPM)
Year recorded	1923
Media
Score ()

BUCKS OF ORANMORE, THE ("Boic Óráin Mhóir" or "Og-Fir Uaran-Mor"). AKA and see "Bucks of Cranmore (The)," "Bucks of Carranmore (The)," "Hearty Bucks (The)." Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Kerr, Roche): AABB (Kennedy): ABCD (O'Neill/1850 & 1001): ABCD (Breathnach): ABCDE (Mallinson): AA'BCD (Taylor): AA'BB'CCDD'EE' (O'Neill/Krassen): AA'BB'CC'DD'EE' (Alewine): ABCDEFGH (Mitchell). One of the 'big tunes' in the tradition. Oranmore is in the west of Ireland in County Galway on the shore of Galway Bay. It is situated at the central point of roads leading to Galway, Dublin and Killarney, and perhaps because of this the area has a remarkable number of ancient ruins and fortified places. Seamus Ennis was of the opinion this tune was the very best of Irish reels. He was once asked what tune might appropriately follow it in a medley, and after thinking a bit he remarked, "You can't play anything after the 'Bucks'!" Varlet & Spottswood (1992) note: "'The Bucks', as Irish musicians often refer to this five-part reel, is a great favourite everywhere Irish music is played and is often performed last, as a crowning piece to mark the end of a musical gathering." According to Alun Owen (1973) and others, the tune is a celebrated testing piece for uilleann pipers, with many sporting their own versions of it. An early recorded version is by Waterford piper Liam Walsh (1886-1963), a pupil of Willie Rowsome (Leo's father), who waxed it in London in December, 1933. O'Neill (1913) relates that the accomplished piper Patrick Flannery (renowned especially for his jigs), a native of Ballinasloe, County Galway, who emigrated to New York about 1845, was playing this tune to a "fascinated audience" on the streets of Brooklyn when he died in the year 1855. Source Kelly told Brendan Breathnach that the old musicians used to play what is now the first part of the reel last, and that was how he played it. See also the "Killavil Bucks" for an unusual Sligo version of "Bucks of Oranmore."

Sources for notated versions: piper Willie Clancy (1918-1973, Miltown Malbay, west Clare) [Mitchell]; fiddler Patrick Kelly (Cree, County Clare) [Breathnach]; set dance music recorded at Na Píobairí Uilleann, mid-1980's [Taylor]; sessions at the Regent Hotel, Leeds, England [Bulmer & Sharpley].

Printed sources: Alewine (Maid that Cut Off the Chicken's Lips), 1987; p. 11. Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 248, p. 128. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1974, vol. 1, No. 20. Kennedy (Traditional Dance Music of Britain and Ireland, vol. 2: Reels and Rants), 1997; No. 13, p. 5. Kerr (Merry Melodies), vol. 4; No. 167, p. 19 (appears as "Bucks of Cranmore"). Mallinson (Essential), 1995; No. 23, p. 10. Mitchell (Dance Music of Willie Clancy), 1993; No. 32, pp. 46-47. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; p. 95. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903; No. 1199, p. 226. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907; No. 476, pg. 91. Roche Collection, 1982; vol. I, p. 59, #149. Taylor (Music for the Sets: Yellow Book), 1995; p. 32.

Recorded sources: Green Linnett GLCD 1181, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill - "The Lonesome Touch" (1997). Leader LEACD 2004, "Martin Byrnes" (1969). Rounder CD 1087, Liam Walsh - "From Galway to Dublin" (1992. Reissue of 1933 original). Shanachie 79024, "Chieftains 4" (1972/1983). Paddy Glackin & Paddy Keenan - "Doublin'" (1978). Joe Burke (et al) - "The Big Squeeze."

X:1
T:Bucks of Oranmore
M:4/4
L:1/8
S:Oisin MacDiarmada
R:Reel
O:Ireland
K:D
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