Mairi Bhan Og waltz

I learned thisrather pretty waltz from a Scottish piper I played with in Australia in the early 80’s. I know nothing else about it and have not seen it or heard it anywhere else since. Just before posting it, I checked the ABC Tune-finder (in case) and located a 6/8 piece of the same name from the West Edinburgh Folk Group book (1997). A cursory glance suggests some similarities but sufficient difference to warrant posting this version here.

Meaning “Young Fair-Haired Mary”?

Yep!! “Mary Young and Fair” according to the above-mentioned publication.

You could just say Máire Bhán Óg… :p

Or Fair Young Máire

I posted a differnt setting of this tune some time ago.

https://thesession.org/tunes/2817

bristlehound mentioned the West Edinburgh Folk Group book - I put that book together, seems like years ago. We used to play the tune in the band. And you’re right, my “Mairi Bhan Og” (Mary, Young and Fair) bears little resemblance to this tune.

Nigel is right. Listen to Jordi Saval’s version. I believe that his version, attributed to Duncan Ban MacIntyre is the original version and the above is nothing like it.

This is the version I have played on both highland pipes and smallpipes. Here is a link to the Porridge Men playing it on smallpipes: https://youtu.be/RSLeLBCIiEk.

play video

Cheers,
Joyce

In my last post, I should have added that the arrangement also includes fiddle and whistle or flute and not sure what else, but it is quite lovely.

And a friend coincidentally just sent a new link to me of the Boghall & Bathgate Pipe Band playing the same arrangement at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2012.

https://youtu.be/Gan7aUskVm0

play video