Annotation:I Am Asleep and Don't Waken Me (1)
X:1 T:I am asleep [1] T:Tha mi am chadal N:”Ancient simple set” M:3/4 L:1/8 R:Air S:Fraser Collection (1816) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:F CD/E/ F4|F4 A2|GABAGF|D4 C2|A>Bc>e f2|A3B G2|1 F6:|2 F4|| c>d|_e3 gfe|d2 e2 f2|c3 dfg|f2d2c2|_edegfe|d3=e f2|c2 BAGF| F2D2C2|f2e2d2|c2B2A2|G3 FAG|F3 G/A/ C2|D>E F4|AgedcB|A3B G2|F6||
I AM ASLEEP {AND DON'T WAKEN ME} [1] ("Tha mi am chadal," "Tha mi mo chadel," or "Taimse 'im chaFdal"). AKA and see "Taimse 'im Chodladh." Scottish, Irish; Slow Air (3/4 time). F Major (Fraser): G Major (Davidson, Graham). Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. This tune, an "ancient simple set," "is claimed by both the Irish and Lowland Scotch. There being very ancient Gaelic words to it, the Highlands have as well founded a claim to it as either, which the editor is bound to assert. It was since the air was printed that he observed it furnished with words by H. MacNeil, Esq., who is entirely of the editor's opinion, regarding its origin" (Fraser). As with many tunes the national origin is in dispute, and Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains, echoing (word for word) the early 19th century collector Edward Bunting, believes this "ancient and beautiful air (was) unwarrantably appropriated by the Scots." Bunting (1840) notes that Hector O'Neill, a Scot, wrote words to it. There are numerous versions of the melody that have been collected in tradition, with Scottish ones grouped here and Irish ones in "I Am Asleep and Don't Waken Me (2)." See also notes for "I Am Asleep and Don't Waken Me (2)" and "Jeanie's Black E'e."
