Twenty-two comments
The Holly Bush
This I understand is the first reel composed by that wonderful composer from Cork, Finbarr Dwyer. Finbarr plays the button accordian and is surely one of the all time greats. His compositions rate alongside those of Paddy Fahy, Ed Reavy, Paddy O’Brien and Sean Ryan.
Fiddlecase.
The Holly Bush
Martin Hayes plays this tune down a fourth, in A mixolydian, starting on an E note on the D string, and it sounds quite dramatic.
The Holly Bush
Try playing it in E. Loads more lively!
There’s a great version of this tune by Sean Potts on Drones & Chanters vol. 2.
The Holly Bush
Here’s what I just gleaned from the recording by Dale Russ and Todd Denman.
X: 1
T: Holly Bush, The
C: Finbarr Dwyer
S: Dale Russ and Todd Denman
Z: Jack Gilder
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Dmix
A2FA DAFA|ABde fded|cG~G2 EG~G2|cedc AGFG|
A2FA DAFA|ABde fded|cGG2 cedc|AFGE DEFG:|
|:Add^c defg|adde dcAF|GccB cde/f/g|afge dcAG|
Add^c defg |adde dcAB|cedB cAGc|AFGE DEFG:|
A fantastic reel which sits nicely alongside other greats like Devanney’s Goat, Dick Sherlock’s, Fred Finn’s, Lady Anne, the Cameronian, etc (ie tunes with great melodies).
this is for me the coolest I’ve learned. I love this tune.
Finbarr Dwyer’s Original
Me and my brother spent the last two or three days learning the version Finbarr himself plays on an LP he released in the late 60/early 70s. It contrasts considerabely with todays more widely played version and is a version I may make an effort to resurrect. Finbarr plays it three times through so I’ve included all 3 repitions. His ornamentation is not included because 1) I don’t think we can adequately show ornamentation on sheet music and 2) I’m not a box player so I don’t really know what he is doing for certain. Anyway, check the post underneath.
The tune
X:1
T:The Original Holly Bush
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:Dmix
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 cGdG|cGed cAGE|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 cedB|cAGE D2 dB|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 EGcG|C2 ed cAGE|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 cedB|cAGE D2 dc|
|Add^c defg|aged cAGE|~G2 EG cgeg|aged cAGc|
|Add^c defg|adfa dcAB|~c2 Bd cAGc|AEGE D2 dc|
|Add^c defg|aged cAGE|~G2 EG cgeg|aged cAGc|
|Add^c defg|add^c dcAB|~c2 Bd cAGc|AEGE D2 dc|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 cGdG|cGed cAGE|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 cedB|cAGE D2 dB|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 EGcG|C2 ed cAGE|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 cedB|cAGE D2 dc|
|Add^c defg|aged cAGE|~G2 EG cgeg|aged cAGc|
|Add^c defg|add^c dcAB|~c2 Bd cAGc|AEGE D2 dc|
|Add^c defg|aged cAGE|~G2 EG cgeg|aged cAGc|
|Add^c defg|add^c dcAB|~c2 Bd cAGc|AEGE D2 dc|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 EGcG|C2 ed cAGE|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 cedB|cAGE D2 dB|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Ad ~d2 adBd|cG ~G2 EGcG|C2 ed cAGE|
|(3ABA FA DAFG|Adde fded|cG ~G2 cedB|cAGE D2 dc|
|Add^c defg|aged cAGE|~G2 EG cgeg|aged cAGc|
|Add^c defg|add^c dcAB|~c2 Bd cAGc|AEGE D2 dc|
|Add^c defg|aged cAGE|~G2 EG cgeg|aged cAGc|
|Add^c defg|add^c dcAB|~c2 Bd cAGc|AcGE D2 ag|
*The high a at the end of the tune is what he would play as he starts the next tune, Mary McMahon
If anybody wants to hear the originial version of "The Hollybush" as played solo by Finbarr Dwyer himself, send me an email. Thanks to either 52paddy or kenny, I have an MP3 of it, including him also Mary McMahon.
The Holly Bush
Here’s this tune played by Padraig Mc Govern (uilleann pipes), Sabina Mc Cague (fiddle), Melissa Mc Cague (fiddle), James Mc Govern (flute) and Seán Mc Elwain (guitar). It’s the 1st tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE8FDX3CaAQ
The Holly Bush
Fun on the khene…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMgw9xI-OcY
Contact Finbarr Dwyer
I have made a guitar adaptation of this tune and wand to contact Finbarr Dwyer (and the editor for this tune if any…) to ask the conditions for a publication. Can anybody help ?
The Prehistoric Piper
Unfortunately, no credit is given to Finbarr Dwyer for composing the tune, but here’s an interesting and humorous take on The Holly Bush. Be patient, the tune will come around sooner or later:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyP-9Vig1c
Holly Bush
I don’t remember what version I learnt, but this is how I play the Holly Bush on the pipes.
Re: The Holly Bush
THIS is a great version and great pace and well played. Congrats Amy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-UMiXyOucM
Re: The Holly Bush
And check out this lovely version from The Riley School of Irish Music. Jug of Punch plus Holly Bush…great flow and swing:
http://www.rileyirishmusic.com/mp3/Music2006/F02.mp3
The Holly Bush, X:6
Third one here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLX0_U9JZCA
Re: The Holly Bush
Are any of the versions of The Holly Bush Jig close to the way Angelina Carberry play it in this video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni6bIRohd1s
Re: The Holly Bush
Hey Alex, you’re looking for the ‘Holly Bush jig’ but you are on the ‘Holly Bush reel’ page !
Check this link —-> https://thesession.org/tunes/7080
Re: The Holly Bush
Hmmm, wonder if that Riley School recording is Brock or Justin?
Re: The Holly Bush
You’ve lost me , Sol. Explain, please ?