Neili’s polka

I believe this is a traditional tune.

It is reasonably unusual for a polka in having 3 parts (and with a key/mode change in the last part).

I was taught the tune by Julie Fowlis.

I think this tune came from a Danu album, ‘The Road Less Traveled ‘… Good tune….Fun to play….

That would make sense!

The tune name is scrambled on the "recordings" entry preventing the link (and copying and pasting what is there does not work!)

Fixed now - thank’s Aidan!

Does anyone have the lyrics to this from the Dual album?

S: CD - "“Éamon Doorley, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Julie Fowlis, Ross Martin: Dual”
Track 5 = Uist - Kerry Set: “Bu chaomh leam bhith fuireach” / “Port Deálai” / “Neilí”

O Neilí, Neilí, Neilí,
O Neilí, Neilí, an fuacht.
O Neilí, Neilí, Neilí,
An ghaoth aniar, aneas, aduaidh.

Lig isteach mé, scaoil amach mé,
Lig dom suí cois tine leat,
Tabhair dom práta arm o phláta,
‘S beadsa grámhar, maoineach leat.


Translation: Nelly

Oh Nelly, Nelly, Nelly,
Oh Nelly, Nelly, the cold.
Oh Nelly, Nelly, Nelly,
The west, south and north wind.

Let me in, let me out,
Let me sit beside you by the fire,
Give me a potato on my place,
And I’ll be loving and treasured to you.


I’m sure I’ve more elsewhere, still looking… 😉

S: Brendan Begley - melodeon

Also - CD: "Set Dances of Ireland: Music for Listening and Dancing"
https://thesession.org/recordings/2812
Track 2: tune 2 of 2 (Brendan Begley)


& I’d forgotten to add the link for the CD "Dual" previous -
https://thesession.org/recordings/3244
The enclosed booklet with this lovely recording is also the source for the lyrics and translation given above…

Now I know why my head was spinning. I’ve known this as two different polkas, both sharing one part, and both of those 32 bar tunes now given here, the last one from dancing to and the playing of Brendan Begley. I don’t remember where I first picked up the first version, but, curiously, both are represented by the song and the original submission, which are three parts in length… 😛 Now I’ll have to learn the song to increase the confusion. 😀

That should keep you busy Jim / FIDDLE4 😉

Not forgetting ~ as a slide too… 😏

Laoise Kelly & Tiarnan O’Duinnchinn Duo @ Tocane’s Festival 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLyFxV-TMaE

play video

# Added by ceolachan - 21/02/2013
https://thesession.org/tunes/12519

"An Pota Stóir: The Set Dance Music of West Kerry” – Feargal Mac Amhlaoibh - Polkas - page 13, tune #2: "Neilí"

The source for the transcription - Muiris ‘Deálaí’ Ó Dálaigh (1910 - 1990) from the Blasket island of Inis Mhic Uibhleáin. He’d given the third part as a ‘variation’ on the first…

Niggling away in my noggin, I managed to drag out this memory, for this other early source for the tune, an audio recording which I’ve not yet found, and in the key of G and in print and now added here - X: 6

I’d forgotten to mention important information on this melody/song, with the 3-part transcription, the one I’ve given for the song, the singing is during the A & B parts, first and second, and their C/third part is a break, without singing.


NOTES: "Dual" - https://thesession.org/recordings/3244 - A great recording that includes a generous booklet of informed and useful notes, a minimal amount of waffle, with the added and appreciated respect and courtesy of being bilingual. I wish that were true with all CDs. Here’s just a partial sample, relevant to this melody.:

" ~ Scottish music influenced the music of West Kerry. There has been a steady flow of music back and forth between Ireland and Scotland over the years and we share many tunes. West Kerry is well known for its polkas ~ ( a small amount of confused waffle, skipped over, happened here 😀 ) ~

They (polkas) didn’t become part of the Irish musical tradition until the early 1800s through the influence of the music of the Gaelic speaking Scottish Coast Guards who were stationed in West Kerry by the British Government. The first polka is named after the great box player Muiris ‘Deálaí’ Ó Dálaigh, whose family were from the Blasket island of Inis Mhic Uibhleáin, and which is based on a Scottish Strathspey and song, "Siud mar chaidh an cál a dhollaidh".

The second polka (this one) was another favourite of Deálaí and is made all the more enjoyable by its lyrics which can often be heard by the set dancers and musicians in Dún Chaoin. This is the Uist-Kerry Set: songs, pipes and polkas.

Thanks to Lís Uí Chéileachair, a daughter of Deálaí, for the words."

I see someone (Ceol?) changed the name on the original posting of the tune. Poor show. I have changed it back.

I was introduced to the tune as Neili’s Polka so that is the name on the main entry. Oh Nelly, Nelly can stay as an alternative name.

Not me, but it would make most sense to favour its earliest title as a main title, rather than someone’s reduction of that origin.

Still hoping to dig out more lyrics for this, having started another search after a recent request, but if anyone else knows please contribute? Any history would also be welcome. I’ve known it rooted in several different realms ~ Scotland, Ireland, and North America…

S: Marcus Herno, flute & "Marcus Hernon & Johnny Connolly: Seoda na n-Oileán"
https://thesession.org/recordings/4685 ~ track 6, the 3rd polka of 3

Q: 128-130 bpm (1 beat = one crotchet/quarter note) ~ after adjustment for pitch

I also know this as a different polka. Part A of this polka is part C of Neili’s and part B of this polka is part A of Neili’s. Of course when Neili’s is played over and over, I hear this different polka, the name of which escapes me, as part C moves into part A. Drives me knuts. Can anybody help me out?

From the playing of Tim Edey.