Dave May, Hong Kong fiddler, plays at The Canny Man.

Ballad of Glencoe (Jim McLean)

Jim McLean wrote the words and melody of this Scottish song in 1963. It is not a traditional song as is often assumed. The song is about the attempted genocide of the Maclans, a branch of the Clan Donald, by government soldiers in 1692, led by Captain Robert Campbell of Glengoyn, despite the Highland hospitality earlier provided by the Maclans.

But you won't hear those words here anyway, just the tune, scraped out on my fiddle, preceded by my attempt at Fanny Power.

Here is the video of Ballad of Glencoe (preceded by Planxty Fanny Power) .

Blackthorn Stick

This popular Irish jig in the key of G, is also known by the following names: Catholic Boys, The Coach Road To Sligo, The Humours Of Bantry, The Robin's Nest and The Scotia Ree.

It has been recorded by The Dubliners, The Bushwhackers Band, The Chieftains and a million other groups and fiddle players, all of whom play it a lot better than I do.

Here is my video of Blackthorn Stick (preceded by Rakes of Kildare ) and here is the tune:

Bonnie Lass O' Bon Accord (J. Scott Skinner)

This Scottish Air or March in A Major is one of the most famous of the 600 tunes composed by J. Scott Skinner (1843‑1927). It was composed in 1884 and is still popular today.

"Bon Accord" is an affectionate name for the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. This phrase, meaning "happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again," is printed over the arms of the city. It dates back to 1308, when it was a watchword of the burghers of the town who defeated the English who were garrisoning the town.

Skinner wrote that the tune was inspired by a young girl named Wilhelmina Bell whose father used to play bass fiddle for his father. Though she was an excellent dancer she had to work as a servant because her father had been ruined by taking on a friend's debts. Skinner promised her, "I'll ma' a tune that'll maybe keep ye in min' when we're baith deid." He wrote the tune the next day, and the opening bars were inscribed on Skinner's gravestone in Aberdeen's Allenvale cemetery.

Ir is played here by Karin Malmstrom at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man in Wanchai.

Brighton Camp (The Girl I Left Behind Me)

The earliest known copy of this tune is in Hime's Pocket Book for the German Flute of Violin (Dublin) around 1810, where it is known as Blyth Camp, or the Girl I Left Behind Me. It appears as Brighton Camp or the Girl I Left Behind Me in Riley's Flute Melodies published in New York in 1816. Apart from that little is known about its origin. The tune was also used for Waxie's Dargle, a popular drinking song.

This tune and Rakes of Mallow are played here by Sue Ellis.

Calum's Road (Donald Shaw)

Centenary March (Arthur Kearney)

This march was composed in or around the nineteen sixties by Arthur Kearney, a fiddle player from Omagh, County Tyrone. Centenary was the name of the park where he lived.

You can hear Yoong and me scraping it out on our fiddles.

Chinese Tune

I don't know the name of this tune. It is the melody of a song which was on a 10" bright red record I bought in Malaysia, though it's country of origin was probably Taiwan. I remember it was from the "Ring Ring" record company. Most of the other songs were quite well known popular Chinese songs, such as "Alisan" which I have sung on YouTube before. At one time I tried to learn this song, and as the Chinese characters were included in the record jacket, I was able to get one of my Chinese students in Australia to write it out in Pinyin for me. I have since lost this and have completely forgotten the words, but I hope to find it again some day. At present all I have left is the tune, which I have attempted to scrape out on the fiddle. If anyone knows the name, please let me know.

Donkey Riding

Also known as An Caip Cul-Ard, Bonny Laddie, Caidhp An Chúil Áird, Highland Laddie and High Caul Cap. It is claimed by some to be a sea chantey, a "donkey" being a type of winch used on a sailing ship.

Apparently, long before it became a popular morris dancing tune, it was a Highland regimental quickstep march, going back at least to the 1600s. It is always played at the Edinburgh military tattoo.

It is played here, together with Horses Bransle, by Sue Ellis at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man, in Wanchai.

Drunken Sailor

I think everybody knows this popular sea shanty.

It is performed here as part of a medley of Sailor tunes played by Sue Ellis, and sung by Dave Ellis and others.

Egan's Polka

Also known as The Kerry and Peg Ryan's, this polka is normally played in the key of D major.

Here it is, played together with John Ryan's Polka, by Sue Ellis of the Hong Kong Folk Society at a session at The Canny Man.

Here is the tune:

Galway Hornpipe

This hornpipe in D major is also known as The Bald-Headed Bachelor, Dan Lowry's and McDermott's.




Here is a video of me scraping away at this tune on my fiddle.

Harvest Home

This popular hornpipe in D major is also known as Belfast, Cincinatti, Cork and Fred Wilson's Clog.




Here is my attempt to play it with my wife and oldest son.

Horse's Bransle

A polka also known as Branle Dei Cavalli, Horse's Brawl. "Bransle" is pronounced "brawl" and the original "s" is often left out these days. This melody is believed to go back to the 13th century.

It is played here, together with Donkey Riding, by Sue Ellis at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man, in Wanchai.

Humours of Glendart

This popular jig is known by many names including The Cashel, Darby Gallagher's, East Of Glendart, Finley's, The Housemaid, Irishman's Hearth To The Ladies, Shins Around The Fireside and Tim The Piper.






Here it is played by Planxty in 1980 and here is a rendition by Bobby Gardiner.

Here is my attempt to play this tune.

I'll Go and Enlist for a Sailor

A popular polka, also known as The Unfortunate Tailor.

It is played, together with Rambling Sailor and Drunken Sailor, by Sue Ellis at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man.

Here is the tune:

John Ryan's Polka

This tune is also known as Forty Pound Float, Armagh Hornpipe, Death From Above, Hiils Of Connemara, Jack Ryan's, Keadue, Psycho and Tjum Tjum.

Here it is played by Celtic Fire, preceded by the Kesh jig.

And here it is, played together with Egan's Polka, by Sue Ellis of the Hong Kong Folk Society at a session at The Canny Man.

Here is the tune:

King of the Fairies

This hornpipe is also known as Bonny Charlie, Dance Of Love, King William Of Orange, Rí Na Sideog and Set Dance.

This is said to be a summoning tune. If it is played three times in a row during a festivity the King of the Fairies must appear. He then decides whether or not the gathering is to his liking. If it is, he may join in; if not he is likely to cause great mischief.
It is probably derived from the Jacobite tune, Bonny Charlie, which appears in many 18th century Scots and Northern English publications.

Here is the tune played by Celtic Sands, and here is Sue Ellis playing it at the Hong Kong Folk Society.

Lannigan's Ball

This popular Irish song is also often played as a fiddle tune. Here is my attempt at it.

Merrily Kiss the Quaker's Wife

This slide or jig is also known as Merrily Kiss the Quaker and Nine Inch Will Please a Lady.



Here is my attempt to play it on the fiddle.

The Monaghan Jig

This popular jig in E minor is also known as The Clay Pipe, Monahan's and Port Mhuineachaiin.




It is played here on the fiddle by Dave May as part of his Pink Panther Medley.

The Mucking of Geordie's Byre

This popular jig is a Scottish border tune also known as Strip the Willow.




I play it here as part of a medley with Spanish Lady and Westering Home, to which it appears to be related.

The Music of Ireland

If this is really the name of a tune, I can't find any information of it. It is the third and final part of The Pink Panther Medley, as played by fiddler, Dave May. See below.

Over the Waterfall

A traditional Irish reel played here on the fiddle by Karin at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man, together with Petronella. She played these tunes again, together with Staten Island at another session.


Here is the tune:

Oyster Girl

Despite the claim in the title of my video, I believe this jig is actually from the North of England rather than Ireland. It is played here by Sue Pappas and Sue Ellis, complete with dancer, at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man in Wanchai.

Here is the tune:

Petronella

A popular reel played here on the fiddle by Karin at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man, together with Over the Waterfall. She played these tunes again, together with Staten Island at another session.

Here is the tune:



Pink Panther Medley

Hong Kong fiddler, Dave May, closed a session at the Canny Man with this set of tunes beginning with the theme from the Pink Panther movies, continuing with Monaghan's Jig and ending up with a tune called The Music of Ireland.

Here is his performance.

Planxty Fanny Power (Turlough O'Carolan)

Another popular tune by O'Carolan. The Power family was indeed a power in society, and, being rich and famous, very attractive to O'Carolan who performed in the great houses and castles of Ireland. He often wrote planxties to honour them, in particular the ladies of the family.

Here is the video of my attempt at Planxty Fanny Power (followed by Ballad of Glencoe) and here is the tune:

Planxty Irwin (Turlough O'Carolan)

Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin (1670 - 1738) was an itinerant Irish harper. He was blinded by smallpox at about the age of eighteen and learnt to play the harp rather than continue his formal education. He became one of Ireland's most important composers, and his tunes form an important part of the traditional Irish repertoire.

He composed this tune (and lyrics to go with it) for Colonel John Irwin (1680-1752) of Tanrego House, on Ballysodare Bay, in County Sligo, probably just after he came home from the war in Flanders.The word "planxty" is apparently a corruption of "Slainte!", Gaelic for "Good Health!"

Here we are making a valiant attempt to play it on our fiddles.

And here are members of the Hong Kong Folk Music Society playing it, preceded by South Wind, at the end of a long session and several drinks.

Accordion - Sue Ellis and Sue Pappas
Tin Whistle - Dave Ellis
Fiddle - Raymond Crooke
Guitar - John Walsh

And here is the tune so you can play along with us:

Rakes of Kildare

Another Irish jig, also known as Fagamaoid Súd Mar Atá Sé, Jim McBride's, Leave That As It Is, McBride's, The Old Barn Door and Thank God We're Surrounded By Water. This tune is used for two songs I have uploaded - The Limerick Rake and Ewan Macoll's I'm Champion at Keepin' 'Em Rolling.

Here is my video of Rakes of Kildare (preceded by Blackthorn Stick ) and here is the tune:

Rakes of Mallow

This tune is also known as Galway Piper, High Could Cap, La Pitoune, Piping Tim Of Galway and Tim's Reel.

This tune and Brighton Camp are played here by Sue Ellis.

Rambling Sailor

A traditional song often used as a session tune.

The tune, followed by I'll Go and Enlist For a Sailor and Drunken Sailor, is played by Sue Ellis at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man.

And here is the tune so you can play or sing along:

Red Haired Boy

This tune, in Amixolydian mode, is popular with accordian players and fiddlers and may be played as a reel or a hornpipe. It is one of the tunes used for the Child ballad The Little Beggarman, (Child 279) and is also known by various other names, such as The Old Rigadoo, An Carrowath, Danny Pearl's favourite, Gilderoy and Injun Ate a Woodchuck. The earliest known recording is by The Flanagan Brothers on The Tunes We Like to Play on Paddy's Day (1921).

Here it is played on fiddle by Karin at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society.

And here is the tune:

Salmon Tails

Salmon Tails Up the Water was originally a Scottish march called The Banks of Inverness. It is also known as Andy Irvine's Polka and Trip to Aberdeen, and seems to be closely related to Siege Of Ennis.

It is popular in Scotland and Northumberland as a march or polka, and is sometimes attributed to renowned Northumbrian piper Jamie Allen.


The tune is played here, as the third part of a set beginning with Speed the Plough and Winchester Gallop, by the Hong Kong Morris girls, Sue Ellis and Sue Pappas on accordion, with Dave Ellis on tin whistle. Guitar accompaniment by myself and (possibly) John Walsh. We had all been playing and drinking for some time when we recorded this. No doubt it would sound even better either if we were completely sober or if the listener had also been drinking for some time.
Here is the tune, so you can play along with us:

South Wind

This popular waltz tune is also known as An Gaoth Andheas or The Wind From The South.

And here are members of the Hong Kong Folk Music Society playing it, followed by Planxty Irwin, at the end of a long session and several drinks.

Accordion - Sue Ellis and Sue Pappas
Tin Whistle - Dave Ellis
Fiddle - Raymond Crooke
Guitar - John Walsh

Spanish Lady

A popular polka, which is best known as a song.




Here I play the tune as part of a medley with The Mucking of Geordie's Byre and Westering Home.

Special Rider Blues (Skip James)

This Blues classic from the 1965 album Skip James Today does have lyrics, but it is played here as an instrumental piece by Rod Foo at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man in Wanchai.

Speed the Plough (John Moorehead)

This popular reel is also known as Cronin's Fancy, Cronin's Hornpipe, Cronin's Fancy Hornpipe, Paddy Cronin's, Mulvihill's, O'Keefe's Plough and Tom Billy's. It has been popular with fiddlers for over 200 years. It is well-known as a fiddle tune throughout North America, Ireland, Scotland and England. Unlike many such tunes, the composer is known. Captain Francis O’Neill researched the melody in entries from the British Musical Biography and reported his findings in Irish Minstrels and Musicians (1913). He discovered that the reel was the work of one John Moorehead (or Morehead or Muirhead), who was born in Edinburgh, but emigrated to County Armagh, Ireland, in 1782.

An excellent musician, he became violinist for London’s Covent Garden Theatre in 1798, a year before he wrote his famous reel, under the title The Naval Pillar in support of a proposed column to be erected in London to commemorate Lord Nelson’s victory over the French in the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Moorehead lived to see his melody become a popular success, although he later hanged himself in 1804. The melody was used by English dramatist Thomas Morton for his play, "Speed the Plough" (1800) and has been popularly known as Speed the Plough since then.

It was among the first fiddle tunes to have been recorded. In 1909, Cecil Sharp recorded it played by a "gipsy fiddler", John Locke of Leominster, Herefordshire.

The tune is played here (followed by Winchester Gallop and Salmon Tails) by the Hong Kong Morris girls, Sue Ellis and Sue Pappas on accordion, with Dave Ellis on tin whistle. Guitar accompaniment by myself and (possibly) John Walsh. We had all been playing and drinking for some time when we recorded this. No doubt it would sound even better either if we were completely sober or if the listener had also been drinking for some time.

Here is the tune, so you can play along with us:

Staten Island

This hornpipe, also known as The Staten Island Ferry, is popular in Scotland and England, though its name implies an American origin.



It is played here by Karin Malmstrom at a session of The Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man in Wanchai.

Steamboat Quickstep (Traditional American)

Also known as Steamboat March, Uncle Jim (in Canada) and Washington Quickstep, this tune, usually played in A major, was very popular in the 1800s. It can be played as a waltz, a march or a jig.

A steamboat was tried out on the Delaware River by John Fitch as early as 1787. In 1807, Robert Fulton made the first trip from New York as far as Albany, and this great event was immediately celebrated in music. The earliest known printed version of the tune is in Elias Howe’s Complete Preceptor for the Accordeon (1843), a selection of tunes arranged for the relatively new diatonic accordion in the key of ‘C’. The version I play is based on an arrangement by Art Rosenbaum and Al Murphy.



Here is a mercifully short video of me playing the tune.

Unknown Tunes

Sometimes I film instrumentalists performing melodies and don't get a change to ask for their names. Or else the players themselves don't know the title of the tune. Hopefully someone will be able to identify them and I can move them to their rightful place on this page.

Thankfully, due to the helpfulness of my viewers, there are currently only two tunes here - a fiddle duet played by Dave May and Karin Malmstrom and another tune that Karin introduces to Dave.

Valse Sentimentale (Tchaikovsky)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Пётр Ильич Чайковский) (1840-1893) was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. He wrote some very popular concert music, including the ballets Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, the 1812 Overture, several concertos and symphonies, and the opera Eugene Onegin.

Valse Sentimentale was the last of his Six Morceaux (Six Pieces), for solo piano, Op. 51. He wrote them during a very difficult time in his life. From the late 1870s until 1885, feeling restless and unsure of his creative powers, he spent most of his time on the road, without a home he could call his own. These lovely intimate miniatures, all dedicated to women, were composed in the summer of 1882 at a cottage near Kamenka, where Tchaikovsky was able to work in peace. This waltz, in particular, has long been a popular salon piece.

You can hear it played by Rudy Hung on harmonica here.

Here it is played by Hong Kong fiddler, Dave May, at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man in Wanchai.

Wallop the Pot Lid

This Irish jig is also known as The Mouse in the Cupboard.



Fiddlers, Karen Malmstrom and Dave May, have a gallant attempt at it at a session of the Hong Kong Folk Society at The Canny Man in Wanchai.

Westering Home

This melody appears to be a waltz version of the popular jig, The Mucking of Geordie's Byre. It is also quite popular as a song.



Here I play it as part of a medley with the above jig and Spanish Lady.

Winster Gallop

A fiddle tune collected by Cecil Sharp at Winster in Derbyshire in 1911, this polka has become very popular with Morris Dance groups.

The tune is played here, as part of a set with Speed the Plough and Salmon Tails, by the Hong Kong Morris girls, Sue Ellis and Sue Pappas on accordion, with Dave Ellis on tin whistle. Guitar accompaniment by myself and (possibly) John Walsh. We had all been playing and drinking for some time when we recorded this. No doubt it would sound even better either if we were completely sober or if the listener had also been drinking for some time.

Here is the tune, so you can play along with us: