Annotation:Will They Ever Return?
X:1 T:Will They Ever Return? M:4/4 L:1/8 R:Air Q:"Slow and mournfull" S:O’Neill – Music of Ireland (1903), No. 66 Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:D A>F | (GFD).C D2 (3ABc | (dcA).G A2 (3ABc | (dcAF) (G2 EG) | F2 D2D2 :| || A2 | (d3e) (f2 ec) | (dcAF) (GFDE) | (FGAB) (c2 Bc) | A6 (3ABc | .d.c.A.G A2 (FA) | .G.F.D.B, C2 (DE) | F3E D2D2 | (D4 .D2) ||
WILL THEY EVER RETURN? (A filleadar go deo?). AKA and see "They are gone (1)." Irish, Air (4/4 time, "Slow and mournfull"). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. One supposes the title refers to the tide of Irish emigration to America in the 19th century. Perhaps this piece was meant to be played at “American wakes,” the farewell send-off for those departing for the passage. Caoimhin Mac Aoidh believes the tune may have been composed by source James O'Neill [see The Scribe, p. 87]. Frank Roche printed a close variant in his Collection of Traditional Irish Music vol. 3 (1922, No. 66) as "They are gone (1)."
