Whelan’s Old Sow jig

I got this setting off the recording by Matt Molloy, Sean Keane, and Liam O’Flynn called, “Fire Aflame.” In this database the tune was incorrectly listed as “Whelan’s Old Bow,” so the link to it won’t show up I’m afraid.

Sorry… everything about the incorrect listing of this tune refers to the Mulcahy Family’s recording as it is listed on this site, not the “Fire Aflame.” That’s why “The Mulcahy Family” doesn’t show up.

This setting comes from the playing of Jack Coen, and can be found on the the album “Traditional Irish Music on Fulte and Guitar” which he made with his son Jimmy. According to Jack, this was composed by Tommy Whelan, formerly of the Ballinikill Traditional Players, in the 1930’s.

It was taught to me by Patrick Ourceau, who recorded it with Gearoid O hAllmhurain on their album “Tracin’”. There they play the same setting in a different key (one full step down - Patrick played it as transcribed here with a filddle tuned to FCGD). When I get the chance, I’ll transcribe it in the other key, but you just need to take this one and bump it down a notch.

Thanks to Laitch for helping me clean up the abc.

X: 1
T: Whelan’s Sow
M: 6/8
C: Tommy Whelan
S: Partick Ourceau
L: 1/8
R: jig
K: Dmaj
DE|:FAF EFE|DFA dAG|(3FGA F EDE|F2D DFA|
B2d A2d|F2A AFD|1 FAF ~E3|F2D D2E:|2 FAd ded|ABF AFD|
DFA ~d3|B (3Bcd ecA|Aff d2e|fdf ecA|
B2d A2d|F2A AFD|1 FAd ded|ABF AFD:|2 FAF EDE|F2D D2E|

Cheers,
Tim

Listen to legendary Ballinakill fluter Eddie Moloney play this jig: http://www.lafferty.ca/music/irish/flute-geezers/edmaloney6.mp3
It’s from Rich Lafferty’s flute tape page: http://www.lafferty.ca/music/irish/flute-geezers

I did a bit of research on this tune today. It seems to be associated widely with flute player, Eddie Moloney, hence the alternative title.

According to The Mulcahys, the Whelan in question was Pat Whelan, a piper from Wexford but, as is mentioned above, it is also thought to be a composition of Tommy Whelan from the Ballinakill band.

Noel Hill may also act as a source as he thought this tune at the Drumshanbo Summer School (Joe Mooney Summer School) a few years ago.

Here’s the new link to Eddie Moloney’s playing of this tune: http://www.lafferty.ca/files/flute-geezers/edmaloney6.mp3

It is said that Tommy Whelan was a big influence on both Eddie Moloney and Jack Coen in terms of the repertoire as well as the flute playing style.

I see. So, although Eddie Maloney has played it often, he must have gotten it from Tommy Whelan. Now, if Tommy Whelan acts the oldest source that I have so far, it is still unclear whether he composed it. The Whelan in question could be Tommy though, more likely than Pat as the Mulcahys have suggested. Thanks slainte.

It’s very similar to the Lonesome jig (aka the Rolling Waves, but not *that* one.)