Annotation:Macroom Lasses
X:1 T:Macroom Lasses M:C| L:1/8 R:Reel S:O'Neill - Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 496 Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:A AF | EAAc BAaf | ecBd cAFA | EAAc BAaf | ecBc A2 :| (3efg | agaf eace | dBcA BAfg | agaf eac'a | babc' a2 ab | c'afa eace | dBcA BAFA | EFAB cAaf | ecBc A2 ||
MACROOM LASSES, THE ("Cailinide Ua Mag-Cromp (Na)" or "Cailini Mag-Crompa"). AKA and see "Farrell O'Gara's Favorite Reel," "Killarney Wonder (4)," "Last Night in Leadville," "Last Night's Fun (1)," "More Power to Your Elbow," "Old Joe Sife's," "Pretty Jane's Reel," "Stick it in the Ashes." Irish; Reel, Highland or Fling. A Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. A precursor form of the melody appears as "Quick Step" in English composer William Shield (1748-1829) ballet-pantomime Oscar and Malvina; or, The Hall of Fingal staged in London in 1791. Philippe Varlet identifies the tune as a highland from the Scottish tune "Farrell O'Gara's Favorite Reel," not to be confused with the "Farrell O'Gara" reel famously recorded by Sligo fiddler Michael Coleman (1891-1945) in 1927 in New York; rather it is the first tune in Coleman's "Killarney Wonder (4)" set (recorded 1924), where it is called "Farrell O'Gara Schottische." Paul de Grae suggests the title "Macroom Lasses" for the tune may be the invention of early 20th century Chicago collector Francis O'Neill [1].
"Stick it in the Ashes" and "More Power to Your Elbow" are related melodies, as is William Bradbury Ryan's "Pretty Jane's Reel." See also the related first strain of "Leave My Way."
Third position playing on the violin is required for the second strain in some versions of "Macroom Lasses," depending on the key in which it is set.
Macroom [1] is a town in West Cork, on the River Sullane, in ancient times a base for the Druids of Munster.
- ↑ Paul de Grae, booklet "Tribute to Seamus Creagh on World Fiddle Day, 20 May, 2017, Scartaglin, County Kerry."