WILL THEY EVER RETURN? (A filleadar go deo?). AKA and see "They are gone (1)." Irish, Air (4/4 time, "Slow and mournfull"). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. One supposes the title refers to the tide of Irish emigration to America in the 19th century. Perhaps this piece was meant to be played at “American wakes,” the farewell send-off for those departing for the passage. Caoimhin Mac Aoidh believes the tune may have been composed by source James O'Neill [see The Scribe, p. 87]. Frank Roche printed a close variant in his Collection of Traditional Irish Music vol. 3 (1922, No. 66) as "They are gone (1)."
Additional notes Source for notated version : - Chicago Police Sergeant James O’Neill, a fiddler originally from County Down and Francis O’Neill’s collaborator [O’Neill].
Printed sources : - O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903; No. 66, p. 12.
