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The Blackbird From Clough march

Also known as Blackbird Frae Clough, The Blackbird Frae Clough Highland Fling, The Blackbird Frae Clough, The Blackbird From Clough March.

The Blackbird From Clough has been added to 12 tunebooks.

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Three settings

1
X: 1
T: The Blackbird From Clough
R: march
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
gfgA B2BA|B2BA Bddf|gfgA B2ef|gfed efgz|
gfgA B2BA|B2BA Bddf|gfgA B2ef|1 gfed e4:|2 gfed e3B||
edef g2fg|afdf afed|edef g2fg|afed e3B|
edef g2fg|afdf a2ga|bgaf gfef|1 gfed e3B:|2 gfed e3z||
2
X: 2
T: The Blackbird From Clough
R: march
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Bmin
|:B>c|d2 d>E F2 F>^E|F2 F>E F<AA>c|d2 d>E F2 (3ABc|d>cB<^A B2:|
B>^A|B>AB>c d2 c>d|e>c (3ABc e>cB>^A|B>A (3ABc (3ded c>d|e>cB<c B2 B>^A|
B>AB>c d2 c>d|e>cA>c e2 (3cde|f>Ae>A d2 (3cBA|d>cB<^A B2||
3
X: 3
T: The Blackbird From Clough
R: march
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Dmaj
dcdE F2FE|F2FE FAAc|dcdE F2Bc|dcBA Bcdz|
dcdE F2FE|F2FE FAAc|dcdE F2Bc|1 dcBA B4:|2 dcBA B3F:|
BABc d2cd|ecAc ecBA|BABc d2cd|ecBA B3F|
BABc d2cd|ecAc e2de|fdec dcBc|1 dcBA B3F:|2 dcBA B3z:|
# Added by Nico .

Ten comments

The Blackbird from Clough (March)

This tune has been a steadfast part of my repertoire ever since I came across it in Gary Hastings’s book
https://thesession.org/recordings/1689 a few years back.
It is resolute and strong. It’s brilliant.
I wrote it in G major, though the tune might very well be in Eminor, for it sounds v well over a G drone.

Also, I put it in the Barndance category, not because it belongs there but for lack of a better label (March or Fling would be more adequate if we had the choice)

Clough is situated in Co. Down, not far from Newcastle. If you googlemapstreetview its crossroads, you’ll see the unmistakeable flags ever flapping in the bitter Easter wind!

The Blackbird of the title is probably a code or nick name for some political figure of sorts, as was customary in these days of yore…

And here it is in DMaj (or Bminor), for the benefit of the D-droning Uilleann pipering brotherhood…

X: 1
T: Blackbird From Clough, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: barndance
K: DMaj
dcdE F2FE|F2FE FAAc|dcdE F2Bc|dcBA Bcdz|
dcdE F2FE|F2FE FAAc|dcdE F2Bc|1 dcBA B4:|2 dcBA B3F:|
BABc d2cd|ecAc ecBA|BABc d2cd|ecBA B3F|
BABc d2cd|ecAc e2de|fdec dcBc|1 dcBA B3F:|2 dcBA B3z:||

"With Fife And Drum: Music, memories and customs from an Irish Tradition" -

Book & CD ~ Gary Hastings
The Blackstaff Press, Belfast, 2003
ISBN: 0-85640-709-7
http://www.blackstaffpress.com/

~ including sheet music for 72 fifing tunes…

"The Blackbird from Clough" ~ page 106, tune #50, K: DMaj

"The Blackbird from Clough" flung about

X: 3
T: Blackbird From Clough, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: highland fling
K: Bmin
|: B>c |\
d2 d>E F2 F>^E | F2 F>E F<AA>c |\
d2 d>E F2 (3ABc | d>cB<^A B2 :|
B>^A |\
B>AB>c d2 c>d | e>c (3ABc e>cB>^A |\
B>A (3ABc (3ded c>d | e>cB<c B2 B>^A |
B>AB>c d2 c>d | e>cA>c e2 (3cde |\
f>Ae>A d2 (3cBA | d>cB<^A B2 |]

I understand that Gary learned many of the versions of the tunes for his book from Willy Nicholl, who I believe lived in or near Cullybackey, Co. Antrim, I would suggest that the Clough, the title of this tune refers to, is actually the Co. Antrim one. Which you will find, just on the other side of Ballymena.

Clough, Co. Antrim:
http://www.libraryireland.com/UlsterDirectory1910/CloughAntrim.php

Cheers,
Dick

Thanks Dick, appreciated…