All the Way to Galway (1)

 ALL THE WAY TO GALWAY. The air was set to a Jacobite era (early 18th century) song and was the precursor to "Yankee Doodle," which it resembles, particularly in the 'B' part. Breathnach (1976) finds the first printing of the tune in Aird's Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs (1780-1803) under the title "The Galway Girls." He quotes Crofton Crocker's The Popular Songs of Ireland (1839) which states "'All the way from Gallaway, early in the morning' is the burden of a popular song descriptive of the march of the Galway militia." See also the Scots relatives "Ciorsdan Mhor", "Big Kirsty", "Miss Stewart Bun Rannoch" and the strathspey "A(ll) the Way to Galloway". "The Road to Lisdoonvarna [2]" is a variant. Sources for notated versions: flute and whistle player Micko Russell (Doolin, Co. Clare, Ireland) [Breathnach]; New Jersey flute player Mike Rafferty, born in Ballinakill, Co. Galway, in 1926 [Harker]. Print sources: Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 282, pg. 144. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 21. Harker (300 Tunes from Mike Rafferty), 2005; No. 92, pg. 29. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1986; No. 999, pg. 172. Stanford/Petrie (Complete Collection), 1905; No. 849, pg. 212. Ryan's Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 45. White's Unique Collection, 1896; No. 77, pg. 14. Recorded sources: Chieftains - "Chieftains 3." Green Linnet SIF 3005, The Bothy Band - "Old Hag You Have Killed Me" (1981. A reissue of the 1976 Mulligan LP).

X:1 T:All the Way to Galway [1] M:C L:1/8 R:March or Air S:O'Neill - Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 999 Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:D Mix A|d>efd cAA>c|BGGA/B/ cAA>c|d>efd cAA>c|BGAF|D2D:| G|A>BAG ABcA|G>AGF EFGE|A>BAG ABcd|cAGE D2 DG| A>BAG ABcA|G>AGF EFGE|A>BAG AddB|cAGE D2D:|

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