Annotation:Maid at the Churn (1) (The)

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MAID AT THE CHURN, THE (An Aindear ag an Cuinneog/Gcunneoig). Irish, Reel. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (O'Neill/1850 & 1001): AA'B (O'Neill/Krassen). "The Hag at the Churn" is a similar title, but the tune is an unrelated single jig. The word 'maid' has sometimes been substituted for the word 'hag' in titles. The original sense of 'hag' was a wizened old woman, and in Scottish and Irish mythology the cailleach was goddess concerned with creation, harvest, the weather and sovereignty [1], which may or may not be malevlent. Nowadays, however our associations with 'hag' are not to a goddess, but to an old, witch-like woman.

Source for notated version: "McNamara" [O'Neill].

Printed sources: O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; p. 144. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903; No. 1462, p. 271. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907; No. 693, p. 123.

Recorded sources:

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