The Bunch Of Roses jig

This is another tune I got from Karen Tweed’s book…Its crooked, but its a cool one. Haven’t really found a tune that goes with it, though.

Lovely tune. It’s almost a minor version of The Chorus Jig - related to The Humours of Ennistymon.

The Chorus Jig - also known as Queen of the Rushes. I notice it hasn’t been posted yet, so I’ll do it now.

by Karen Tweed
Publisher: Dave Mallinson Publications, 2001
Mel Bay A128
ISBN: 1-899512-12-8

93 Irish session tunes compiled by piano accordionist Karen Tweed, for all instruments, with chords, tips and anecdotes. These tunes are also available on two of her CDs: “The Silver Spire” & “Drops of Springwater”.

This is found in O’Neills, on a couple of occasions, with different titles (but v/small variations)

I play it with over the ocean, and seamus cooleys
Over the Ocean/Bunch of Roses/Seamus Cooley’s

https://thesession.org/tunes/108
https://thesession.org/tunes/709
https://thesession.org/tunes/414

I happen to like the sound of the key/mode change

The first section of this jig is built on the same chords as Greensleeves, or the Passamezzo antico according to early music types (like me). It follows rather nicely after the anonymous Greensleeves variations found in ‘The Division Violin’ or as an interlude between verses of “The Old Year Now Away is Fled” set to the same tune.

And now we return you to your regularly scheduled programme of Irish traditional music.

The Bunch of Roses:

https://thesession.org/tunes/709

There are those that would say that this and Greensleeves are versions of the same tune.

This is also a close relative to “greensleeves & Yellow Lace” as to be found in Playford’s Dancing Master“ dated 1721. the ‘A’ music is virtually the same but the main differences are in the ‘B’ music but the characer of the tune is retained. itis also in G minor.

the following link is to an unnamed tune submitted recently
https://thesession.org/tunes/7959
It is another relative but this time in A minor.

Key signature: e minor
Submitted on April 17th 2003 by tufbo.
https://thesession.org/tunes/1598

“Christmas Comes But Once A Year”
Key signature: G Dorian
Submitted on October 19th 2006 by usedbullfrog.
https://thesession.org/tunes/6270

“Greensleeves”
Key signature: a minor
Submitted on November 12th 2007 by OsvaldoLaviosa.
https://thesession.org/tunes/7959

“The Bunch Of Roses”
Key signature: Gminor
Submitted on May 28th 2002 by kardshark87.
https://thesession.org/tunes/709

“Greensleeves”
Key signature: e minor
Submitted on April 17th 2003 by tufbo.
https://thesession.org/tunes/1598

“Greensleeves”
Key signature: a minor
Submitted on November 12th 2007 by OsvaldoLaviosa.
https://thesession.org/tunes/7959

I can’t help thinking that there is some sort of a kinship between this tune and Tickle her Leg… AKA Get up Old Woman… https://thesession.org/tunes/1937

See also: Scattery Island https://thesession.org/tunes/9969

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this? In their album entitled Spring in the Air, James Kelly and Paddy O’Brien play this in between two slides. When I play this it *sounds* like a slide but the ABC above suggests 6/8 jig. The main reason for my question is that the Leeds Ceili Band are playing it in a jig set for a competition and do not want to be penalised for mixing two differing signatures. Any help much appreciated.

A simple tune found in Francis O’Neill’s “The Dance Music of Ireland : 1001 Gems”, 1907, no. 409.
“A miner was walking slowly along the shady lane that led out of his village and over the pit. Countless commas and colons of sunlight were dancing a jig on the road; a little wind sighed in the lime trees. And listening to it, the miner sighed too. The last place he wanted to go on such a day was down to the dark and dusty coalface.”

This is a setting I created to be played on an F whistle, with D fingering. As in - G is played like this:
•
•
•
º
º
º

• = closed
º = open

But it is actually Bb (if on an F.)

Hope that makes sense!

“The Shady Lane”, a third setting and name in O’Neill’s 1001

This is the way our session plays it, based off of the Kelly, O’Brien & Sproule version. Very similar to the other setting posted but different enough that I figured I’d post. Really love the melodic structure of this tune and those crucial F#’s.

Same as X:2 but in a more session key.

There are G#s, but they are very playable for tin whistles and keyless flutes and pipes because they are between two As.

For the time of year that’s in it. 😀

Played on Hammered Dulcimer, English Concertina, Nyckelharpa, Tenor Banjo & Bodhran.
Lockdown Video #276

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blniOsTIs10

play video

Cheers,
Dick