Christy Barry’s (jig) on The Session

Also known as Christy Barry’s #1, Christy Barry’s No 1, Christy Barry’s No. 1, Christy Barry’s Set, Sean Coughlan’s, Seán Coughlin’s, Seán Coughlin’s No 1, Seán Coughlin’s No. 1, Sheán Coughlan’s No. 1.

Sixteen comments

“A bird never flew on the one wing”

Having put up the second of the set, I felt obliged to post the first, which I’ve actually been playing much longer. Pretty bare bones, but it’s a fun little tune.

This appears as Sean Coughlan’s ( last tune of the set ) on Jerry O’Sullivan’s "The Invasion".

I had a workshop with Christy Barry a couple of weeks ago in West Clare, and he cleary said this is his own composition.

It’s origin less than clarified

I made Jerry O’Sullivan aware of the discussion of the origin and this was his response:
"As regards Sean Coughlan’s jig: I learned this tune from Mary Begley of Ballydavid, County Kerry around 1979-1980; I still have the tape of her playing it on the concertina at that time. I am certain that she told me that it came from an older, local accordion player, Sean Coughlan, who had lived in Chicago for many years before returning to Ireland.
I can honestly say that I never heard the tune before I heard Mary Begley play it. The first instance of it being recorded on a commercial album was on my first album, The Invasion. It may be possible that it was composed by Christy Barry and that Mary somehow picked it up but I don’t think it’s too likely. I think that Brendan Begley or Seamus Begley would have a definitive answer on this question."

Here’s the basic setting I work from when I play this, lifted in part from Chrisy Barry’s own playing on Late in the Night and also Kevin Crawford’s whistle version on the D Flute Album.

X: 1
T: Christy Barry’s
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
K: G
DGG BAG|A2 B d2 e|ged BAG|AGA BGE|
DGG BAG |A2 B d2 e|ged BAG|1 AGF G2 E:|2 AGF GBd||
~g3 gfg|a2 g d2 e|ged BAG|AGA BGE|
DGG BAG |A2 B d2 e|ged BAG|1 AGF GBd:|2 AGF G2 E||
"Variation"
GFG BGG|A2 B d2 e|ged BGG|~A3 BGE|
DGG BGG|A2 B d2 e|ged BGG|1 AGF G{A}GE:|2 AGF GBd||
~g3 gfg|a2 g d2 e|ged BGG|~A3 BGE|
DGG BGG |A2 B d2 e|ged BGG|1 AGF GBd:|2 AGF G2 E||

This is the 1st in the "Baile na bPoc" set on Michelle O’Brien/Aogan Lynch/Gavin Ralston, track 7.

This was Written By Christy, Sean probably picked it up from him in the States and brought it back to Ireland. fun tune…

Here its written with the tail both times through on the second part. Chrisy plays it with the tail only on the 2nd time through part 2.

“A bird never flew on the one wing”…

…the other tune of the ‘set’ is at: https://thesession.org/tunes/820

“Seán Coughlin’s No. 1” ~ a slide, Brendan Begley

“Sheán Coughlan’s No. 1” ~ “Music for the Sets - the Yellow Book”

Chrity Barry’s No.1: 2nd Part

Christy Barry’s own version of the tune is different from Kevin Crawford’s version in the 2nd part, in terms of structure. Christy plays something like this:

~g3 gfg|abg d2e|ged BGG|~A3 AGE|
~g3 gfg|a2g d2e|ged BGG|AGF GBd|
~g3 gfg|abg d2e|ged BGG|~A3 AGE|
DGG BAG|A2B d2e|ged BGG|AGF GDB||

I heard and even recorded Christy play the tune this way a couple of times, so most likely Kevin Crawford misremembered it while recording it on his "D Flute Album."

Not a few people play the tune as Kevin Crawford does, but I’ve heard Christy’s version played more often by different groups of peoples in different places. Someone says CCE’s tunebook includes Chrity’s version, not Kevin Crawford’s. Sorry if I’m wrong.

The bottom line is, everyone should be prepared to play the tune both ways.

Origin

Here’s Christy Barry’s Bio: http://www.christybarry.com/biography/bio.html

"Christy spent many years in the USA and he travelled many parts of the world to play in concerts and festivals. He introduced Irish music sessions to different venues in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago…."

So, it’s not very surprising if Sean Coughlan picked up this tune in Chicago.

Re: Origin

Thanks for sharing all this background to the tune and Christy, Slainte. Been playing this tune for years and never put the face to the notes.:)

Two different versions of this tune popped up in different sessions I attended in these few days. Christy wouldn’t believe it’s popular here.

I actually didn’t know he’s related to Garret Barry, or even he has a website, which was found while I was researching on the connection between him and Chicago.

Great tune

Christy Barry’s jig

Eight settings