Annotation:Absent-Minded Woman (The)

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ABSENT-MINDED WOMAN, THE (An Bean Dearmadac). Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. The tune was supplied to Francis O'Neill by the wife of an elderly informant named John Carey.

Born and grown to manhood in County Limerick and brought up in the midst of a community where old ideas and customs prevailed, his memory was stored with traditional music. He numbered among his relatives many pipers and fiddlers, and being quite an expert on the violin himslef in his younger days before that arch-enemy of musicians--rheumatism-- stiffened his fingers, his settings were ideal. Gradually, from week to week, and extending into years, his slumbering memory surrendered gems of melody unknown to this generation, and not until within a few months of death did his contributions entirely cease. Even Mrs. Carey's memory yielded up a fine reel, the "Absent-minded Woman," which her husband did not play."

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907; No. 772, p. 134. O'Neill (O’Neill’s Irish Music), 1915; No 268, p. 137.

Recorded sources:

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