The Humours Of Swanlinbar reel

As played by Brenda McCann on “The Hidden Fermanagh Vol.2”CD. A very unusual tune from the Gunn collection which forms the basis of the 2 CDs and book. Thanks to “Sharontheflute” for pointing out that Brenda’s version has slight differences from the way it is printed in the “Hidden Fermanagh” tune lists in the book. I used a “C” whistle to transcribe her basic version of the tune, although she plays some nice low variations in the first part which I’ve omitted. This tune is a great example of Fermanagh music,and needs to be played more. Brenda’s playing of it is as good an example of Irish fiddle playing as you’ll ever hear anywhere.

Heard this for the first time at a session last night, played by Jamie Smith. What a cracking tune! Sounds great on the fiddle.

Isn’t this tune a version of the Pinch of Snuff? Brendan Breathnach in volume 2 of Coel Rince na hEireann uses the title of Humours of Swanlinbar for that tune.

Thanks for sharing this!
(the nice Ddorian shift in the last part gives a new colour to the 1st part when it comes round again)

the same bar or beat repeated over and over again like this recalls the style of some quebecois ball tunes (now rarely heard).

I’ve been looking for this tune for ages! Thanks,Kenny, for posting it.

Got this version from the playing of John Skelton playing live:

K:D
AGEG AGE2|AGEG BGE2|AGEG AGEG|+trill+F2DF AFD2|
AGEG AGEG|AGEG BGE2|AGEG AGEG|~F2DF AFD2|
ceBd ceBA|GE F/G/A BGE2|c2 (3Bcd c2 BA|+trill+F2 DF AFD2|
ceBd ceBA|GE F/G/A BGE2|c2 (3Bcd c2 BA|+trill+ F2 DF AD (3FGA |
g2eg bgea|~g2eg bgeg | f2 da g2 fa | fede fggf|
g2 eg bgef|~g2eg fed2 | g2eg bge2|fede fg2f |
|:g~e2d edBA|GE F/G/A BGE2|c2 (3Bcd c2 BA|+trill+F2DF AFD2:|

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, 2021 :
https://youtu.be/9uF1HZW5lic

play video

I agree with you, Kenny - there’s just something magical in Brenda’s rendition of this tune, which already has a magical element in itself.

Thanks for the link Kenny.
I am bewitched by Brenda’s magic bow!

Re-reading this tune, I am convinced it must be ancient, or cast in the very ancient style of the harpers or early pipers, as exemplified by Caniad y Gwyn Bibydd. I posted Paul Dooley’s reading of it not so long ago: https://thesession.org/tunes/23160

There is some similarity as well with Dónal agus Mórag https://thesession.org/tunes/19985

It may only be a few bars, but they set the tone (use X:2 here to compare with X:1 in the song)

Swanlinbar = an acronym(!) = an Muileann Iarainn i gContae an Chabháin.
Its iron works, the link with the Swift family, the sport at the spa in 1732 and 1788;
read it all on wikipedia! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swanlinbar