Annotation:Caoinead an Spailpín

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 CAOINEAD AN SPAILPÍN ("The Wandering Laborer's Lament" or "The Spalpeen's Lament"). AKA - "Caoineadh an Spailpín." Irish, Air. Ireland, West Kerry. D Mixolydian/Minor (Mac Amhlaoibh & Durham): G Mixolydian/Dorian (Cranitch): A Mixolydian/Dorian (Ó Canainn). Standard tuning (fiddle). One part (Cranitch, Ó Canainn): AB (Mac Amhlaoibh & Durham). Mac Amhlaoibh & Durham's version is in 4/4 time, Cranitch's in mixed 4/4 and 5/4 time, and Ó Canainn's in 3/4 time. The subject of the song is the spailpín, or wandering farm laborer, "the most wretched of the many wretched classes in Ireland," according to the Devon Commission of 1843.  Source for notated version:  Printed sources: Cranitch (Irish Fiddle Book), 1996; p. 114. Mac Amhlaoibh & Durham (An Pota Stóir: Ceol Seite Corca Duibne/The Set Dance Music of West Kerry), No. 88, p. 50. Ó Canainn (Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland), 1995; No. 66, p. 59.  Recorded sources:

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