Ratha Fair reel

Also known as Ratho Fair.

There are 3 recordings of this tune.

Ratha Fair has been added to 1 tune set.

Ratha Fair has been added to 14 tunebooks.

Two settings

1

2

Four comments

Ratha Fair

Scottish reel from Gow’s second collection; I straightened and simplified the ABC, and added chords from the bassline. Jack Campin has transcribed the Gow version faithfully here: http://www.campin.me.uk/Embro/Webrelease/Embro/08play/abc/Ratha.abc

It’s the middle tune in this medley: https://vimeo.com/44452815

Ratha Fair, X:2

To make the tune sit better on tenor banjo or octave mandolin, the A part can be taken down an octave.

Re: Ratha Fair

I changed it to D Dorian since the only Bs are naturals… and there’s a Dorian feel with the Dm to C harmonies.

Re: Ratha Fair

This reel sounds like the ancestor of these two Irish reels.

The Annamaculeen: https://thesession.org/tunes/78
Within a Mile of Dublin: https://thesession.org/tunes/125

Iain MacFarlane recently recorded a nice version of the tune as part of the first set of his album with Ingrid Henderson.
https://ingridhenderson.bandcamp.com/track/cockerel-in-the-creel-reels
https://www.iainmacfarlaneingridhenderson.com/new-album

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