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The Night Cap jig

Also known as John McKenna’s No. 2, Judy Callahan’s, The Nightcap.

There are 12 recordings of this tune.

This tune has been recorded together with The Mysteries Of Knock (a few times), Connie The Soldier (a few times), The Frost Is All Over (a few times) and Up Leitrim (a few times).

The Night Cap has been added to 2 tune sets.

The Night Cap has been added to 40 tunebooks.

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Three settings

X: 1
T: The Night Cap
R: jig
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: Amaj
cee e2A|cee f2e|def afe|def afe|
cee e2A|cee efg|agf ecc|eAc B2A:|
cAA eAA|fAA eAA|cAA eAA|cBA cBA|
cAA eAA|fAA efg|agf ecc|acc B2A:|
X: 2
T: The Night Cap
R: jig
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: Dmaj
G/A/|:Bcd d2c|Bcd dBG|cee e2d|cee ecA|Bdd d2c|Bdd dBG|GBd e2d|gBG A2G:|
|:BGG dGG|BGB dcB|cAA eAA|cAe edc|BGG dGG|BGB dBG|GBd e2d|gBG A2G:|
D |: FAA A2 D | FAA AFD | GBB B2 D | GBB dBA |
FAA A2 D | FAA AFD | FAA d2 B | AFF E2 D :|
FED ADD | BAF ADD | FED ADD | BAG FED |
FED ADD | BAF ADD | FAA d2 B | AFF E2 D :|
X: 3
T: The Night Cap
R: jig
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
G/A/|:Bcd d2c|Bcd dBG|cee e2d|cee ecA|
Bdd d2c|Bdd dBG|GBd e2d|gBG A2G:|
|:BGG dGG|BGB dcB|cAA eAA|cAe edc|
BGG dGG|BGB dBG|GBd e2d|gBG A2G:|

Seven comments

Source: Fierce Traditional by Frankie Gavin
Transcription: gian marco pietrasanta

The first time Mr. Frankie Gavin played 6th and 7th measures as follow: |cee e2f|a2f ecc|

vCpied and pasted from "The Fiddler Companion":

NIGHT CAP [1], THE (An Biread Oidce). AKA and see “Judy Callaghan’s Jig.” Irish, Double Jig. G Major (O’Neill): D Major (Treoir). Standard. AABB. Captain Francis O’Neill first published this tune in 1903, based on his own recollection of hearing it played in his childhood in Munster. The earliest sound recording appears to be by fiddle player John Gerrity in New York in 1920, at the very beginning of the 78 RPM era. It was more famously recorded in 1935 by banjo-mandolin player Michael Gaffney (b. 1896, Mullaun, Arigna, County Rosommon). Gaffney paired with flute player John McKenna (18801-1947) for a number of important recordings. McKenna was originally from South County Leitrim, and started his working life as a weighmaster for a coal mine, then emigrated and joined the New York City Fire Department. Age 41 at the start of his recording career, he made some of his most celebrated tracks when in his 50s. Paddy Ryan says McKenna recorded another version of “The Night Cap” under the title “Judy Callaghan’s Jig.” Giblin (Collection of Traditional Irish Dance Music), 1928; 84. O’Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 73. O’Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 723, pg. 135. O’Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 23, pg. 20. Treoir, Vol. 32, No. 3, 2000; pg. 20. Tara CD4011, Frankie Gavin – “Fierce Traditional” (2001. Obtained from Jackie Small, who had it from Harry Bradshaw and Nicholas Carolan).

X:1
T:Night Cap, The [1]
M:6/8
L:1/8
R:Jig
S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 23
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K:G
G/A/|:Bcd d2c|Bcd dBG|cee e2d|cee ecA|Bdd d2c|Bdd dBG|GBd e2d|gBG A2G:|
|:BGG dGG|BGB dcB|cAA eAA|cAe edc|BGG dGG|BGB dBG|GBd e2d|gBG A2G:|

X: 2
T: Night Cap (The)
S: Treoir 32/3
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
Q: 325
Z: Transcribed by Bill Black
R: jig
K: D
D |: FAA A2 D | FAA AFD | GBB B2 D | GBB dBA |
FAA A2 D | FAA AFD | FAA d2 B | AFF E2 D :|
FED ADD | BAF ADD | FED ADD | BAG FED |
FED ADD | BAF ADD | FAA d2 B | AFF E2 D :|

The O’Neills version sounds as if it is related to The Waddling Gander, especially the second part.

Posted by .

The Night Cap, X:4

This is the proper setting from O’Neill’s 1001 - I think in the above post, two settings in different keys got mixed together, so the first part has the wrong key signature.