Annotation:Crossing to Ireland
CROSSING TO IRELAND ("An t-aiseadh do dh' Eireann" or "An t-aiseag do dh'Eireann"). Scottish, Canadian; Slow Air (12/8 or 3/4 time) or Waltz. Canada, Cape Breton. E Minor (Barnes, Matthiesen): E Dorian (Cranford, Dunlay & Greenberg): F Minor (Fraser): A Minor (Johnson). Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Barnes): AAB (Cranford, Dunlay/Greenberg, Fraser, Johnson, Matthiesen). The Gaelic title translates literally as "The Ferryboat to Ireland." "The editor discovered this air in an ancient manuscript in the possession of his father, of some of the band music of the 78th regiment, to which he belonged, raised by the late General Fraser of Lovat in the year 1757; it seems to be quick-march time, built upon Lord Kelly's strathspey, unless antecedent to it. MacArthur, the master of the band, was instructed with the view of becoming minstrel to the Kilravock family, and had access to much of the music of the Mairnshire gentlemen formerly mentioned" (Fraser). The tune is sometimes played as a waltz (as in Winston Fitzgerald's recording), though this is frowned upon by traditionalists. It was recorded by Cape Breton musicians Winston 'Scotty' Fitzgerald (c. 1950's in the key of F Dorian) and Dougie MacDonald.
