Annotation:Cabin Hunter (The)

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 CABIN HUNTER, THE (An Biadánaí). Irish, Reel. County Clare. E Minor. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. See also "Mearacan an Tailliura," "Seomra in Uachtar." Randy Miller (2006) notes that some have suggested the title refers to one who likes to collect gossip from door to door. The 'A' part is very similar to that of Charlie Lennon's "The Road to Cashel," though the 'B' parts differ. Breathnach (1963) thought this might have been a composite tune, with the first part derived from 'The Tailor's Thimble' (CRÉ I, 125) and that the turn [second part] from the second part of "The Upper Room" (CRÉ I, 130). It has been pointed out that the 'B' part of "Cabin Hunter" is also similar to the turn of "Pigeon on the Gate." Reportedly, Lennon claims the tune as his composition, despite the differences between "Road to Cashel" and "Cabin Hunter." Paul de Grae remarks that in 1998 Finbar Boyle recalled hearing John Kelly senior playing at a session more than twenty years previously, where he introduced "The Cabin Hunter" as "an old Clare reel". Kelly recorded the tune in 1968. It appears to have been part of the tradition predating Lennon's "The Road to Cashel," concludes de Grae. Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 190.  Source for notated version: Éamonn de Stabaltún/Ned Stapleton (Ireland) [Breathnach/CRE I]; John Kelly [Breathnach, CRÉ III].  Printed sources: Breathnach (CRÉ III), 1985; No. 143 (appears as "Gan ainm/No title"). Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 1977; vol. 1, No. 18. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 2nd Edition, 2006; p. 54.  Recorded sources: Green Linnet 1052, Kevin Burke - "Up Close" (1984). See also listing at Alan Ng's Irishtune.info.

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