Annotation:Mouse in the Cupboard (The)

Back to Mouse in the Cupboard (The)

MOUSE IN THE CUPBOARD, THE. AKA - "Ballaí Lios Chearbhaill," "Duignan's Odd Jig," "Merry Old Woman (1) (The)," "Rakes of Newcastle West (The)," "Repeal of the Union (2)," "Tumble the Tinker," "Walls of Enniscorthy (The)," "Walls of Liscarroll (2) (The)," "Wollop the Potlid." Irish, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Although most versions of the tune are in G major, there are variants in other modes; see "Scully Casey's Jig (3)" for a dorian mode example. Breathnach (CRÉ V, 1999, No. 26) also prints an untitled minor-mode version from the late Clare fiddler Martin "Junior" Crehan (Mullagh, near Miltown Malbay, west County Clare). Editor Jackie Small remarks that "minor keys, particularly G minor, are very popular in west and east County Clare and in east County Galway" (CRÉ V, p. 111). "Walls of Enniscorthy (The)" is a related tune.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Cranitch (Irish Session Tunes: Red Book), 2000; 10. S. Johnson (The Kitchen Musician No. 6: Jigs), 1982 (revised 1989, 2001); p. 4. McDermott (Allan's Irish Fiddler), No. 8, p. 3. Sweet (Fifer's Delight) 1965/1981; p. 29.

Recorded sources: Columbia Co 33357-F (78 RPM), James Morrison & John McKenna (1929). Front Hall Records 03, Dudley Laufman - "Swinging on a Gate." RC2000, George Wilson - "Royal Circus" (2000).

See also listings at:
Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [1]
Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [2]
Hear James Morrison & John McKenna's 1929 recording at the Comhaltas Archive [3] (1st tune in medley, followed by "Gallagh an Airgid" and "Hag with the Money (The)").
Hear Leitrim musicians Charlie Higgins & Jack Dolan's 1955 78 RPM recording of the tune at the Internet Archive [4] (1st tune in medley, followed by "Mist in the Meadow (The)").