Jacky Tar hornpipe

I learnt this from Pete Cooper at a workshop he gave in Bristol a couple of days ago. He paired it as the second tune with The Plains of Boyle (already posted), with which it goes very well. I have transcribed the tune from his play-through, but have left out his ornamentation, except for one in the B-part. A nice distinctive feature of this tune is the “snap” to the high G in bar 6 of the A-part, and is really the climax of this part of the tune.
This tune doesn’t seem to be readily available elsewhere. A Google search appeared to reveal only one printed copy of the tune, but this was on a closed site which requires password access, and there wasn’t any obvious indication of how to get this access.
Trevor

This sounds very much like Jackie Tar, a.k.a. The Cuckoo’s Nest, to my ear. Anyone else think so?

No, I don’t think so. Eamonn McGivney’s is quite different from The Cuckoo’s Nest (a.k.a. Jackie Tar) already posted. Just to take two points, one is in Edor, the other in Gmaj, and Eamonn McGivney’s doesn’t have the distinctive running triplets of The Cuckoo’s Nest.
Of course, what is possible is that the name “The Cuckoo’s Nest” may already have been applied to another tune which is similar to Eamonn McGivney’s (or even the same), but I think evidence of this will be needed before the name “The Cuckoo’s Nest” can be applied to Eamonn McGivney’s.
Trevor

Sure could be mistaken for the version of Jackie Tar I know–second half is near identical.

P.S. Just had a look. The tune I know as Jackie Tar is nothing like the Cuckoo’s Nest posted here. In fact, it’s the tune Trev has posted as Eamonn McGivney’s. My hunch is that Jackie Tar is the more widely known name (I learned it as such from players who brought it back from a tript to Galway by that name).

Will, thanks for that elucidation.
Just before your post arrived on my pc I looked up “Jackie Tar” on J-C’s site. Yes, I agree, the two tunes are essentially the same. The Cuckoo’s Nest confused the issue for me because a different tune of that name is posted here. Of course, before I posted Eamonn McGivney’s I did an “Advanced Search” here for a typical note sequence, with no result. The obvious thing to do now is to add “Jackie Tar” as an alternate name, and The Cuckoo’s Nest as well, because J-C gives that as another name for Jackie Tar.
Trevor

Here is the full version of what I have posted, as played by Pete Cooper, with ornaments, bowings and slurs (for fiddle players).
For those who may not be familiar with some of the less commonly used features of the ABC notation, here are the ones I have used in this posting:
u=down-bow
v=up-bow
( ) encloses a group of notes played on one bow
{ } encloses a grace note
[ ] encloses notes played as a chord or double-stop

(GA)||:uBee(d [B2e2])ef|edB(A {d}B2)(3ABu(c|d2)(dc) dfgf|edBv(G A)(dB)(A|
G2)uG(A {d}B2gB|ue(dBd) (eg) (3ggg|EFG(vA Bd)BA|G(E{G}ED) E2(GA):|
|:B(GEG) B(GEG)|BGA(F ~E3)u(B|A)(FDF) A(FDF)|AF (3GF(E D)(vE (3FED|
G2)uG(A {d}B2)gB|e(dBd) (eg) (3ggg|EFG(A Bd)BA|G(E{G}ED) E2GA:||

Trevor

I’ve heard this tune on a solo dancing cd i’ve got - “Step in time” by Kathleen and Don Lavin.
Quite a nice version, considering its a step dancing cd.

I’m surprised you didn’t know this one as “Jacky Tar”, Trevor, as I think it is English in origin, and fairly well-known by that name. Certainly it is better known by the English traditional musicians I’ve met than the Irish players.
Nic Jones did a famous recording of it on fiddle, (possibly on his LP “The Noah’s Ark Trap”), and I think that’s been the source for a lot of musicians in Britain.
As far as Ireland’s concerned, Paddy O’Brien (the younger) has recorded it twice under both names! On an obscure recording with a trio called “Hill 16”, he calls it “Jacky Tar”, and says it’s originally Scottish, (which I don’t believe). He also recorded it as “McGibbney’s” with James Kelly and Daithi Sproule on the LP “Is It Yourself ?” and I reckon that’s where most Irish players have learned it from. Can anyone come up with a recording of the tune called “McGibbney’s / McGivney’s” before the “Is It Yourself” LP ?
It is undoubtedly a close relation to the three-part “Cuckoo’s Nest”. Hope this is of interest.

Kenny, thanks for your info. Flesh is appearing on the bones now.
Unfortunately I don’t know much English trad music, and I’ve never come across “Jacky Tar”, either by that name or as “Eamonn McGivney’s”. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it at a session. Also, the tune was new to everyone at Pete Cooper’s workshop, and some of those attending were very experienced players. I wonder if it’s a regional thing. Anyway, it’s a great tune and a pleasure to play in conjunction with The Plains of Boyle.
Trevor

“The Cuckoo’s Nest” is in the hornpipe sections of both “O’Neill’s 1001” and “Ceol Rince na hEireann” Vol 3 and both are the “G” version. If you look up the index in each book, “Jacky Tar” refers to the same tune in both.

I originally learned this tune from Fintan Vallely’s Timber Tutor. The self-same tune is now played by John Creaven (on flute) on Track 3 of his CD“The Story So Far“. He lists it as called “McGibbney’s Fancy”. It is very faithful to the Vallely version, and pretty close to this “McGivney’s”. I have also been playibng it going into “The Plains of Boyle”.

I originally learned this tune from Fintan Vallely’s Timber Tutor. The self-same tune is now played by John Creaven (on flute) on Track 3 of his CD“The Story So Far“. He lists it as called “McGibbney’s Fancy”. It is very faithful to the Vallely version, and pretty close to this “McGivney’s”. I have also been playibng it going into “The Plains of Boyle”.e

Catherine McEvoy’s CD has the tune “McGivney’s Fancy”, which matches Trevor J’s notation. The liner notes of the CD say that it is an alternate setting of “The Cuckoo’s Nest”. I am not knowledgeable on “Cuckoo’s Nest”, but I’ve looked into a little bit and have never seen a setting in print, or heard a recoding of it that is anything like this. I’ve simply concluded that there must be another tune called “The Cuckoo’s Nest” that I am not aware of which sounds like this - and it looks like radriano has heard it… Please educate me if anyone knows for sure….

There are 2 “Cuckoo’s Nest” hornpipes, this one that seems to be generally known as “McGibbeny’s/McGiveney’s”, [ and I’m still waiting for someone to come up with an instance of this tune being known by that name prior to the “Is It Yourself “ recording ], and the one in G posted by Gian Marco in January this year, as recorded by Conal O’Grada. Take a look and compare the 2 tunes - I think the similarities are obvious.
I’m pretty certain this tune is far older than Eamonn McGibbney with whom it is now associated, in Ireland , at least. There may well be information on it in any sleeve notes to “The Noah’s Ark Trap” recording by Nic Jones, if anyone has it.

I came across this today because following through on a reference to the McGivney title from another source, hence the very late addition to the discussion! There are two distinct but related versions of The Cuckoo’s Nest in the Welsh tradition - both hornpipes, but played straight and fairly reel-like. One, Nyth y Gog, has three parts and is in E Aeolian/minor and the other, Nyth y Gwcw, has two parts and is in D Dorian. I believe all these tunes are cognate and related also to the bawdy English song by the same title.

“The Cuckoo’s Nest”
Key signature: Gmajor
Submitted on March 2nd 2002 by Mad Baloney.
https://thesession.org/tunes/573

“The Cuckoo’s Nest”
Key signature: Gmajor
Submitted on January 15th 2004 by gian marco.
https://thesession.org/tunes/2395

“Nyth Y Gwcw” / “Nyth Y Gôg” / “The Cuckoo’s Nest”
Key signature: D Dorian
Submitted on August 16th 2006 by ceolachan.
https://thesession.org/tunes/6101

“Nyth Y Gôg” / “Nyth Y Gwcw” / “The Cuckoo’s Nest”
Key signature: e minor
Submitted on November 17th 2006 by ceolachan.
https://thesession.org/tunes/6380

“The Cuckoo’s Nest”
Key signature: Bdorian
Submitted on January 10th 2007 by Merry-Hielander.
https://thesession.org/tunes/6619

This is the tune I know as Jacky Tar. I find it on youtube played this way maybe a dozen times. There seems to be no other reasonable version here except as an AKA for The Cuckoo’s Nest. While Cuckoo’s Nest is somewhat similar it is not the same - IMHO.

Here are examples of the tune I know as The Cuckoos Nest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnbzFQdM4XA

play video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJlpCYZ6AGM

play video

Of course this guy thinks Jacky Tar is Cuckoo’s Nest
The Cuckoo’s Nest-Irish folk song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Q-Ck2HL6o

play video

Maybe I should have called it Johny Asphalt 🙂

https://thesession.org/tunes/2020
Been here since 2003.

Submitted on March 28th 2010 by zoronic.
~ /tunes/10389

X: 3
T: Jacky Tar
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Emin
|: Bd |\
“Em” e2 ed efge | “G” d2 B2 B2 dB | “D” ABde faef | “D” d2 A2 A2 Bd |
“Em” e2 ef g2 fe | “G” dBGB d2 cB | “D” AGFE DEFA | “Em” G2 E2 E2 :|
|: GA |\
“Em” BGEG BGEG | “Em” BAGF E2 FG | “D” AFDF AFDF | “D” AGFE D2 EF |
“Em” GFGB g2 fe | “G” dBGB d2 cB | “D” AGFE DEFA | “Em” G2 E2 E2 :|

This is the tune I know as Jacky Tar. I find it on youtube played this way maybe a dozen times. There seems to be no other reasonable version here except as an AKA for The Cuckoo’s Nest. While Cuckoo’s Nest is somewhat similar it is not the same - IMHO.

Here are examples of the tune I know as The Cuckoos Nest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnbzFQdM4XA

play video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJlpCYZ6AGM

play video

Of course this guy thinks Jacky Tar is Cuckoo’s Nest
The Cuckoo’s Nest-Irish folk song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5Q-Ck2HL6o

play video

Maybe I should have called it Johny Asphalt

# Posted on March 28th 2010 by zoronic

X: 4
T: Cuckoo’s Nest, The
T: Jacky Tar, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: hornpipe
K: Emin
|: (3Bcd |\
e2 e>^d e>f (3gfe | (3ded B2 B2 d>B | ABde fgec | d2 A2 A2 B>d |
e2 e>^d e>fg>e | d>B (3GAB d2 c>B | A>GF>E D2 F>A | (3GAG E2 E2 :|
|: (3FGA |\
B>GE>G B2 (3FGA | B>A (3GAF E2 (3EFG | A>FD>F A>Fd>B | A>G (3FGE D2 (3DEF |
G>D (3GAB g2 (3gfe | d>BG>B d3 B | A2 (3GFE D2 (3FGA | G2 (3FGF E2 :|

AAAA! ~ lost sleep & stress? ~ the A-part, bar 3 ~ so I’d better also give an alternate, eh?

~ | A2 (3Bcd f2 (3edc | ~ Mea culpa! 😉

….and it’s a hornpipe, not a reel.

But, Jacky Tar still seems to be the more common name.

Sending all you folk a big hug and thank you. Jan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc49K-p2w9U

play video

When I looked up the version in Ceol Rince na hÉireann 3, my first thought was that I had recently heard it with words. My second thought was that it was on a recently-released CD by Noeleen Ní Cholla (An Mhaighdean Mhara - all songs so not here). Sure enough, Breatnach’s notes refer to “An Spealadóir”, which is the first track on the CD, with indeed the same tune. He comments that the name is the one usually given to the song in Irish, and that it was certainly know as such by Eoghain Rua O’Sullivan.

(This might be a plug for the CD, which I think is excellent; I heard Noeleen in January at Celtic Connections 🙂 .)

Often played at the Cobblestone bar in Dublin. This transcription is what I think I heard.

As played by Dale Russ : http://youtu.be/cLKg5IBQnNA

play video

This is a very old English tune - you will find it played by renaissance music consorts under the name “Come ashore Jolly Tar with your trousers on”. Jack Tar was a very common term for a sailor of the merchant or royal navy. I can see the similarities with the Cuckoo’s Nest, but I don’t think it’s the same tune at all.

I first learnt it from Pete Cooper’s book over 20 years ago, and still rarely come across a soul who knows it. Double stopping with a B on the third note gives it a beautiful, rollicking feel.

The tune (as I know it, and roughly as transcribed in the first setting) was featured in an episode of The Tudors, played by the Toronto Consort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1zUYA0xKq4

play video

I learned this three part version of Jacky Tar from the playing of the late Tony Cuffe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bZI5Tc-A6E

play video

Cheers,
Dick

Here’s your source, Dick.
https://youtu.be/HnsOSeFErjQ

play video

Do you recognise the Aberdonians in the photo, or was that a wee bit before your time in Aberdeen ?
A few things of interest to you - I’ll send you a private message.
Stay safe, a’ the best, Kenny
PS - the 3-part major Jacky Tar“ you’re playing here is different to the tune originally posted above.

This i related closely to nyth y gog

This is the version which sold this tune to me. By Nic Jones, mostly known as a singer ( one of the greatest ever of course), but no slouch on fiddle either. On his Noah’s Ark Trap album.

There are dozens of ways to play this tune, so this is in no way definitive. IN fact,Jones plays it with 3 different variations, but this is the setting which starts and ends the track.
I also loved the accompaniment to his fiddle: just triangle and harmonium drones.

From Emma O’Leary’s album Mo Cheantar Féin.

This version is listed as “Paul’s Hornpipe”. The sleeve notes say:
Paul’s Hornpipe - I recorded Paddy Cronin playing this tune in his home in Killarney in the 90’s while visiting with my mother Rita. It is a version of the popular Jacky Tar hornpipe. Paddy who grew up in Ré Buí, Gneevegullia and was a childhood friend of my mother’s. She recalled memories of him playing regularly at her birth home in Milleen, Kilcummin as part of the ‘rambling house’ tradition common at the time. When it was time to progress from my beginner Skylark fiddle, Paddy assisted me in choosing my next fiddle at the age of fourteen from William Patterson in Cork City. That was replaced a few years later by my current fiddle which Paddy brought home from America.