Annotation:Carolan's Cap (1)

Back to 

 CAROLAN'S CAP [1]. AKA - "Carolan's Nightcap". Irish, Air (2/4 time). G Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. Composed by Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1734). A "cap" is a dram of liquor, as in a 'nightcap'. The tune was originally published by Irish collector Edward Bunting in his General Collection of of the Ancient Music of Ireland (1809, p. 24), noted from the playing of one of the last of the ancient Irish harpers, Patrick Quinn. The Forde and Pigot manuscripts both have versions of this tune, and Forde has entered the comment "Very Scottish" next to the tune. O'Sullivan (1958) notes that the opening phrase is "virtually identical" with "The Lass of Patie's Mill," published in Thomson's Orpheus Caledonius (1725). It is possible that O'Caroland adapted and modified that air for his own. Hardiman mentions a "Carolan's Nightcap" and O'Sullivan believes the 'cap' of the title indeed refers to a last drink before bed. Source for notated version: harper Patrick Quinn, via Edward Bunting (1809) [O'Sullivan] Printed sources: Complete Collection of Carolan's Irish Tunes, 1984; No. 183, p. 127. O’Sullivan (Carolan: The Life, Times and Music of an Irish Harper), 1958; No. 183, p. 205. Recorded sources: Shanachie 79013 Derek Bell - "Carolan's Receipt" (1987. Appears as "Carolan's Nightcap").

Back to