Annotation:Girl that Broke My Heart (1) (The)

Back to 

 GIRL THAT BROKE MY HEART [1], THE (An Cailin 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 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.  Source for notated version: Kevin Burke (County Sligo/Portland, Oregon) [Brody].  Printed sources: Brody (Fiddler's Fakebook), 1983; pg. 120. Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1994; 123. O'Neill (O'Neill's Irish Music), 1915; No. 282, p. 143. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland), 1907; No. 456. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903; No. 1176, p. 222.  Recorded sources: CCF2, Cape Cod Fiddlers - "Concert Collection II" (1999). Copley DWL-9-617, Jack Wade- "Ceili Music From Ireland." Folkways FW 8876, Kevin Burke- "Sweeney's Dream." Gael-Linn CEF 068, Sean Montgomery- "An Fhidil." Mulligan LUN 021, Kevin Burke- "If the Cap Fits." Outlet 3002, Paddy Cronin- "Kerry's Own Paddy Cronin" (1977). Shaskeen OS-360, Joe Burke, Andy McGann, and Felix Dolan- "A Tribute to Michael Coleman" (c. 1965).  See also listing at: Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources Alan Ng's Irishtune info Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recordings Index Hear Hugh Gillespie's 1939 recording at Capeirish.com

Back to