Annotation:Rub the Bag

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RUB THE BAG (“Cumuil an mala” or “Cumail a' mháilín”). AKA "Ree Raw (1)." Irish, Long or Set Dance (6/8 time). C Major (Cole, Joyce, Robbins): D Major (O'Neill). Standard tuning (fiddle) AAB (Cole, Joyce): AABB (O'Neill/Krassen, Robbins): AA'BB (O'Neill/1850 & 1001). "Rub the Bag" is one of the classic set dances and set dance tunes in Irish repertory. Joyce notes the tune was well known in Cork and Limerick^[1], and that Petrie gives a Kilkenny version of this tune under the title “Ree Raw (2).” Joyce notes that in Munster the phrase cumail a' mháilín (like “Ree Raw”) signifies “confusion or uproarious merriment" (and is pronounced 'kimel-a-vauleen').

Additional notes
Source for notated version : - “I learned it when a boy (in the 1840's in Limerick) from fiddlers and pipers, who used to play it as a set dance. I remember seeing a man dance it one time on a table” [Joyce].

Printed sources : - Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; p. 73. Joyce (Ancient Irish Music), 1873/1890; No. 52, p. 52. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; p. 223. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903; No. 1795, p. 336. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907; No. 968, p. 166. Robbins Music Corp. (The Robbins collection of 200 jigs, reels and country dances), New York, 1933; No. 87, p. 28. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; p. 104 (categorized as a jig).

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↑ Joyce remarks: "The tune is well known in Cork and Limerick, and I learned it when a boy from fiddlers and pipers, who used to play it as a 'set dance'. I remember seeing a man dance it one time on a table."

[1] Joyce remarks: "The tune is well known in Cork and Limerick, and I learned it when a boy from fiddlers and pipers, who used to play it as a 'set dance'. I remember seeing a man dance it one time on a table."

[1]