Annotation:John Ryan's Polka
Tune properties and standard notation
JOHN RYAN'S POLKA. AKA and see "Armagh Polka," "Egan's Polka (2)," "Keadue Polka," "Ryan's Polka." "Sean Ryan's Polka." Irish, Polka. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The title appears under the "John" title, but is more popularly known under the "Sean Ryan's" moniker. It is frequently paired with "Dennis Murphy's Polka," after the influential Planxty recording on the album "Cold Blow the Rainy Night" (it should be noted that the tune "42 Pound Cheque (The)" was played in the middle of the set, although it has not survived in the popularly played set). The tune is considered overplayed, trite and hackneyed by many modern players; a beginner's tune.
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Brody (Fiddler's Fakebook), 1983; p. 150.
Recorded sources: Polydor 2382 397, Planxty- "Planxty Collection." Shanachie 79011, Planxty- "Cold Blow the Rainy Night." Shanachie 79012, Planxty - "The Planxty Collection" (1974).