Annotation:Reel of Thulichan
Back to Reel of Thulichan
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 of 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: