The Queen Of The West hornpipe

Most people would say that this piece is unusual or rarely known. So if most people are saying that then …. Heck, heck I get confused easily. I learned it from a Tommy Peoples instructional Tape that came with a little book of perhaps 50 tunes.

I bumped into the tune a few years back again. It was played by an old time fiddler at a crisp breakdown speed. He looked me in the eye and bet me that I had never heard the tune before. Well I played it for him with some of those fine dotted eighths and sixtenths. I threw quite a few sigle bowed triplets and I played it at a great hornpipe pace. He just kind of sneered at me and played it again and I quote him “THE RIGHT WAY”

For insanities sake - I posted this tune “the right way” Listen to Natalie McMaster or Peoples if you want to learn it wrong like me. ;)

This one was first published in Ryan’s Mammoth Collection in 1883, where it was credited to the minstrel show fiddler Zeke Backus. Brendan McGlinchey recorded a more elaborate setting on his 1970s solo LP. It’s popularity as a session tune was revived when Sharon Shannon recorded it. She probably picked it up from Tommy Peoples.

Dis tune s a lovely tune wit sum good ornements in2 ih!! 🙂

Sharon Shannon -one Queen of the West!- made it cool to play again. All she touches is gold. Long live Sharon! :- )
And bad cess to this tune! :- (

I concede that the first two bars are not just v nice but they’re enticing. It shouldn’t be an excuse to play the whole tune, though!

Published in “Köhlers’ Violin Repository Book III”.

hi Suiloir,
Thanks for posting this one! I live in Vermont and will give it a whirl. I would love to hear a recording somewhere.
Mary Anna

Hi Mary Anna,
Unfortunately I don’t know of any recording of it. Maybe someone else on the site knows of one.
/Bo

I have definitely heard a recording of this, but I don’t think it was under this name. I have been scratching my head and searching through all my tunes all day. I should find it soon and will be back.

This is otherwise known as ‘The Queen of the West’ :: https://thesession.org/tunes/928

Thanks Dargai, you saved me from going mental.

@Mary Anna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KBdokfWpwU

play video

a version from Kathleen Loughnane from her album with Dordán

Variation for a F Whistle