Annotation:Napper Tandy (2)
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NAPPER TANDY. Irish, Redowa or Mazurka (3/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. James Napper Tandy [1] (1740-1803) was a long-time member of the United Irishman and a founder of the Dublin branch of the United Irishmen in the 1790's. He was one of the leaders of the Irish uprising of 1798 and was involved in the attempt to drive the English from Connacht. According to one historian, he raised a small naval force which he brought to the shores of Donegal to support the rebellion there, however, upon arriving he learned that his comrades had already been defeated, he got blind drunk and had to be carried back on board ship. He escaped and made his way to the free port of Hamburg, Germany, but there was handed over to the British authorities. Tandy was transported to Lifford Jail to undergo trail. However, because he had previously lobbied in France for the Irish cause, Tandy had been commissioned a brigadier in the French Army, and perhaps because of this he was released in 1802. He returned to France to carry on for the cause, but died soon afterwards. 'Napper Tandy' is also rhyming slang for 'brandy'.
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Roche (Collection of Traditional Irish Music, vol. 3), 1927; No. 164, p. 56.
Recorded sources: