The Eagle's Whistle

polka

Key signature: Gmajor

Submitted on July 22nd 2003 by gian marco.

This tune has been added to 69 tunebooks.

Also known as The Eagle's March, Fead An Fhiolair, Fead An Iolair.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

• Each Little Thing by Sharon Shannon
• Far From Home by Boys Of The Lough
• Fead An Iolair by Na Casaidigh
• Little Woolly, Lullabyes by Kelly Hood
• Live by Blazin' Fiddles
• Magnificent Seven by Blazin' Fiddles
• Open Road by Boys Of The Lough
• Paddy On The Railway by Ten Penny Bit
• Pure Piping by Leo Rickard
• Shatter The Calm by Dan Beimborn
• Spellbound by Sharon Shannon
• The Best Of Joe And Antoinette Mckenna by Joe And Antoinette McKenna
• The Eagle's Whistle by Michael Tubridy
• The First Measure by Pipedown
• The Little Country by Charles De Lint
• The Music Makers: Celebrating 35 Years Of Comhaltas In Leeds by Leeds CCE
• Traditional Music Of Ireland by Joe And Antoinette McKenna
• Uilleann Pipes by Pat Mitchell
• We'll Seek No More Engagements by Aidan Crossey

X: 1
T: Eagle's Whistle, The
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
G/A/||BB d/B/A/G/|BB d/B/A/G/|BA AB/d/|BA AG/A/|
BB d/B/A/G/|BB d/B/A/d/|AG GB/d/|AG GB/d/|
gd e/d/B/d/|gd e/d/B/G/|BA AB/d/|BA AB/d/|
gd e/d/B/d/|gd e/d/B/d/|AG GB/d/|AG Gd/c/||

The eagle's Whistle (march)

Source: Michael Tubridy
Transcription: g.m.p.

Tune requested by Kath

# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by gian marco

MARCH, not polka.

MARCH, not polka.

# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by gian marco

March

Gian Marco, this tune is usually played as a 3/4 March which I know sounds like a contradiction unless you have 3 legs. There are several settings around but most often it is in my experience, encountered as a 3/4 March. There is one old setting from pre-1885 that was in 2/4. I don't know if that proves that this was the authentic Marching version. There are a few other examples of 3/4/or 6/8 marches.
The punchline is that as an O'Donovan I have to point out that this is the O'Donovan Clan March so I have to be excused if the tune gets me a little fired up in sessions.
Cheers
Donough

# Posted on July 22nd 2003 by Donough

I have to support Odono on this one. This is a very special, very beautiful old march tune that dates back at least 300 years.

I have nothing against it being recycled as a Polka, but it's worth learning as the grand old clan march.

# Posted on July 24th 2003 by Hanley

sigh!

# Posted on July 24th 2003 by gian marco

Cathal McConnell

I was at workshops with Cathal McConnell of Boys of the Lough and he taught this tune. He played it in 3/4 then 4/4. He had the class playing first time round the first part in 3/4 then the repeat in 4/4 and same with the second part. A wee bit of a challenge for the rhythm players.

# Posted on October 25th 2003 by Jenny

March

I also know this tune learned from Peter Phelan, Dublin Piper
in his class many moons ago as a March and a quite lovely one at that.

# Posted on January 1st 2004 by MollyB

"The Eagle's Whistle"

Here's a simple take on the tune in 3/4:

T: Eagle's Whistle, The
M: 3/4
L: 1/8
R: march
K: Gmaj
|: ed |
B2 dB AG | B2 dB AG | B2 AA Bd | B2 AA GA |
B2 dB AG | B2 dB Ad | A2 GG Bd | A2 GG Bd |
g2 ed Bd | g2 ed BG | B2 AA Bd | B2 A2 (3Bcd |
gd ed (3Bcd | g2 ed BD | A2 G2 Bd | AG G2 :|

# Posted on September 22nd 2005 by ceolachan