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The Zakynthos jig

Also known as Zycanthos.

There are 6 recordings of this tune.

The Zakynthos has been added to 8 tune sets.

The Zakynthos has been added to 48 tunebooks.

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Three settings

1
X: 1
T: The Zakynthos
R: jig
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: Amin
|: a2 a gag | e2 a a2 g | ecc BcB | AFF F3 |
EAB cBA | FAB cBA | B2 B edc| Bcd cBA :|
|: EAB cBA | FAB cBA | B2 B edc | Bcd cBA |
EAB cBA | FAB cBA | B2 B edc | B2 A-A F2 :|
|: d2 d-d2 c | d c2 B2 A | d2-d2 c d | B3 A3 |
d2 d-d2 c | d c2 B2 A | d d-d2 c d | e3 e3 :|
2
X: 2
T: The Zakynthos
R: jig
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: Amin
[M:5/8]|: a2 gag| e2a- ag| ec BcB| AF F2F|
EAB cB| FAB cB|B2 edB| cd cBA :|
|:EA cBA| FA cBA| B2 edB|Bcd BA|
EA cBA| FA cBA| B2 edB|1 B2 A2 F :|2 B2 A2 B |
|: d2 d2 c | dcd BA | d3/2 d3/2 cd | BcB BA |
d2 d2 c | dcd B A| d3/2 d3/2 cd | e2 ecA :|
3
X: 3
T: The Zakynthos
R: jig
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: Amin
|: a3 gag | e2 a3 g | ecc BcB | AFF F3 |
EAB cBA | FAB cBA | BGB dcB | Bcd cBA :|
|: EAB cBA | FAB cBA | BGB dcB | Bcd cBA |
EAB cBA | FAB cBA | BGB dcB |1 B2 A2 F2 :|2 A3 ABc ||
|: d2 d2 c2 | dc2 B2A | d2 d2 cd | B3- B2A |
d2 d2 c2 | dc2 B2A | d2 d2 cd | e3- e3 :|

Thirteen comments

I understand that this was actually written by a chap called Roger Wilson. I was inspired to learn this after hearing it a couple of times in sessions round oxford (UK) way. I just love this tune - its an absolute foot thumper!

can’t help thinking the title must be an odd (wrong?) spelling of Zakynthos??

(yes, I know it’s spelt ‘Zycanthos’ on Eliza Carthy’s CD)

5/8

In 5/8 🙂

X:1
T:Zycanthos Jig in 5/8
A:Eliza Carthy
M:5/8
L:1/8
K:Am
|: "Am"a2 gag| "Am"e2a- ag| "Am"ec BcB| "F"AF F2F|
"Am"EAB cB| "F"FAB cB|"G"B2 edB| "Em"cd "Am"cBA :|
|:"Am/E"EA cBA| "F"FA cBA| "G"B2 edB|"Em"Bcd BA|
"Am"EA cBA| "F"FA cBA| "G"B2 edB|1 "Am"B2 A2 "F"F :|2 "Am"B2 A2 B |
|: "Dm"[.f2d2A2] [Lf2d2A2] [ecG] | "Dm"[fdA][ecG][fdA] [dBG][cAF] | "Dm"[f3/2d3/2A3/2][f3/2d3/2A3/2] [ecG][fdA] | "Em"[dBG][ecG][dBG] [dBG][cAF] | "Dm"[.f2d2A2] [Lf2d2A2] [ecG] | "Dm"[fdA]"^Last time go to coda" [ecG][fdA] [dBG][cAF] O|
[1-5 "Dm"[f3/2d3/2A3/2][f3/2d3/2A3/2] [ecG][fdA] | "Em"[Lg2e2B2] [geB][ecG][cAF] :| [6 O"^Coda""Dm"dd dcd| "Em"ee e^fg| "Am".La2z z3 |]

YES!!!!
I’ve been looking for this one for ages. I knew it had some kinda Greek name, but couldn’t remember what, so I couldn’t search.

Thank you!!

Zycanthos

Love it…. what a cracking tune….

Zycanthos vs Zakynthos

On the House Band’s album "October Song", Roger Wilson’s composition is called "The Zakynthos Jig", using the correct name of that Greek island. Since he wrote it, not Eliza Carthy, could we all strive to show respect for the tune, its composer and Greece by using Roger’s title? (The House Band performance is at least as good as Carthy’s.)

5/8 version

Now updated and cleaner.

Re: Zycanthos

Don’t know about the original recording, as I can’t access it, but Eliza Carthy, and also the 422 dance band, are definitely playing this in 6/8, not 5/8. There is a lot of syncopation and tied notes that makes it feel off-beat, but it would sound much odder in 5/8. Reminds me a lot of Horizonto by Blowzabella. Similar feel in places.

Re: Zycanthos

422 play Horizonto in that set. Will give it a go transcribing their version of Zycanthos later.

Zycanthos, X:3

From the playing of 422.

Timing was a bit tricky for a few bars. Think it’s pretty close.