Annotation:Girl that Broke My Heart (1) (The)
X:1 T:Girl Who Broke My Heart [1], The M:C| L:1/8 R:Reel S:O'Neill - Music of Ireland (1903), No. 1176 Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:Gmin (dc) | BGFD E~C3 | DG{A}G^F GABc | d=efd cAGF | D(E{G}FE) F2 (dc) | BGFD E~C3 | DG{A}G^F GABc | d=efd cAGF | DG{A}G^F G2 || (D^F) | G2 (Bd) gdBG | F2 (Ac) fcAF | G2 (Bd) gdBd | Tc=Bcd cAFA | G2 (Bd) gdBG | F2 (Ac) fcdB | GABd cAGF | D(G{A}G^F) G2 ||
GIRL THAT BROKE MY HEART [1], THE (An Cailín a Bris Mo Croide). AKA - "Girl Who Broke My Heart." Irish, Reel. G Aeolian ('A' part) (Gm) & G Major ('B' part) {Brody}: G Dorian (O'Neill). Tonality for the melody varies from minor/dorian through major/mixoldyian (for which see "Girl that Broke My Heart (2) (The)") Caoimhin Mac Aoidh (1994) relates that in County Donegal this tune was played after the marriage vows were exchanged for the bachelors in the congregation while the couple was in the Sacristy signing papers. See also the first part of "Thompson's Reel" for a similar melody. See also the related "Spirvin's Fancy." The earliest sound recording appears to be Hugh Gillespie's Decca recording [1] in 1939. Gillespie [1906 - 1986] was born in Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, and emigrated to New York at the age of 22, where he was mentored by Sligo-style fiddler Michael Coleman.
Frank Ferrel notes that the tune was a favorite of Cape Breton fiddlers Arthur Muise, Gerry Holland and Carl MacKenzie.
