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Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh jig

Also known as John Roy’s Lament, Lament For Red Iain, Lament For Red-haired Iain, Lament For Red-Haired John, Red John’s Lament.

There are 4 recordings of this tune.

Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh has been added to 1 tune set.

Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh has been added to 22 tunebooks.

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One setting

1
X: 1
T: Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh
R: jig
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: Amaj
|:"A" e2 e A2 A|"A" c>fe "D" f3|"A" e2 e A2 A|"A" cec "E" B3|
"A" e2 e A2 A|"A" c>fe "D" f3|"A" e2 e A2 A|"A" cec "E" B2 "A" A:|
|:"A" e2 A a>fe|"D" f2 f "A" e2 e|"A" e2 A a>fe|"D" fec "E"B3|
"A" e2 e A2 A|"A" c>fe "D" f3|"A" e2 e A2 A|"A" cec "E" B2 "A" A:|

Four comments

Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh

Or ‘Lament for Red Iain’

Not really a jig but an air submitted in response to the tune request by "LowProfile" (21/11.2011)

I first heard this played at Runrig gigs by Malcolm Jones. The submitted notation (with minor alteration of added repeats) is taken from Ceol nam Feis 2 (p.88)

Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh

Ceol nam Feis 1 actually. The guitar tab is on p88 (& 89) but the music and lyrics are on pages 6 & 7.

The song was written by E Pursell who lived from 1891 - 1964. The book says that he was born in Campbeltown in Argyll and was a primary headmaster, painter, story writer and Gaelic educationalist.

Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh was based on part of a pibroch. Pursell also apparently wrote the song Leaving Lismore.

Either way I also know the tune from Runrig.

Ceol nam Feis 1

Yes you’re right Alistair - I can’t even count to two successfully, which probably explains why all my jigs sound like polkas. There’s lots of good stuff in those Ceol nam Feis books, including Runrig compostions Rubh’ nan Cudaigean, An Ubhal as Airde, Cearcall a’Chuain. Malcolm from Runrig is an accomplished traditional musician too when he’s not playing electric guitars and midi bagpipes. I once heard him in concert with harmonica palyer Donald Black (they recorded a CD too) - good stuff. Whoops not Irish….sorry, sorry, sorry……. 🙂

I have the cd and saw them live myself in Strachur a few years ago.