Also known as
The Boanie Isle O’Whalsay, Bonnie Isle A’ Whalsay, The Bonnie Isle O’ Whalsay, The Bonnie Isle Of Whalsay, Bonny Isle A’ Whalsay, Da Boanie Isle O Whalsay, Da Boanie Isle O Whalsey, Da Boanie Isle O’Whalsay, Da Boannie Isle O’ Whalsey, Da Bonnie Isle A’ Whalsay, Da Bonnie Isle O’ Whalsay, Da Bonnie Isle O’Whalsay, Da Bonny Isle A’ Whalsay, Da Bonny Isle O’Whalsey.
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Amix
(e2|e)d cA B2ed|cA Ac BE2(e|e)d cA B2ed|cA B^G A2:|
AB|cd eg fd ed|cA Ac BE E(c|c)d eg fd ed|cA BG A2A2|
cd eg fd ed|cA Ac BE Ec|cd ef ga ge|dB GB A2||
A tune from Shetland. It is sometimes played with the high ‘e’s at the start of bars 1 and 3 slurred across the bar lines, giving it a syncopated feel, a feature more common in Shetland than Irish fiddling.
The following setting is from Richard Robinsons Tunebook.
M:4/4
K:Amix
(e2|e)d cA B2ed|cA Ac BE2(e|e)d cA B2ed|\
cA B^G A2::
AB|\
cd eg fd ed|cA Ac BE E(c|c)d eg fd ed|\
cA BG A2A2|
cd eg fd ed|cA Ac BE Ec|\
cd ef ga ge|dB GB A2||
Slurs
Yeah, you’ve really got to accent the high E’s in the A section with slurs to make this work. It’s a really super tune - I play it often. Have you ever tried it in the same set as Spootiskerry? This tune also works best with syncopated bowings and makes a good partner to Bonnie Isle of Whalsey
The Bonnie Isle O’ Whalsay
Sorry,I made a mistake in the abc.The high Gs in the second part should be natural.I’ll alter the abc and perhaps Jeremy could edit the sheet music.
Tom Anderson, Aly Bain and Dave Tulloch recorded this as the last tune in a monster set of reels:
Jack Broke da Prison Door, Donald Blue, Sleep Soond i’ da Moarnin’, Lasses Trust in Providence, Da Boanie Isle O’ Whalsay
A golden oldie.
Also recorded by Dougie McLean, on his first album several years ago, with yours truly on flute.
5 reels
In Shetland, that set laid out by granama is played at practically every session, often as the first set - if anyone suggests the "5 reels" or the "Auld 5", that’s what they mean.