BY
CAPT. FRANCIS O'NEILL
COMPILER AND PUBLISHER OF
The Music of Ireland;
The Dance Music of Ireland;
O'Neill's Irish Music for the Piano or Violin.
ILLUSTRATED
“Music, miraculous rhetoric, that speakest sense.
Without a tongue. excelling eloquence:
With what ease might thy errors be excused.
Wert than as truly lov'd as thou'rt abused.
Though dull souls neglect, and some reprove thee.
Thy sway I honor, because angels love thee!”
CHICAGO
THE REGAN PRINTING HOUSE
1910
For Sale: LYON & HEALY, Chicago
COPYRIGHT 1910.
BY
CAPT. FRANCIS O'NEILL
PREFACE.
No alluring prospect of gain or glory prompted the preparation or publication of this series of sketches, dealing with the writer's research and experience while indulging in the fascinating hobby of collecting Irish Folk Music.
That much miscellaneous information of value to those interested in the subject had been acquired in the many years devoted to it is quite obvious, and it was not alone in response to the persuasion of men of prominence in the Irish Revival, but the desire to give publicity to certain features of the study of which the public had but a limited knowledge that the work was undertaken.
Originally written as a series of articles for a periodical of wide circulation; it was found that confining them within necessary limits would sacrifice to expediency much of whatever interest the subject may possess, especially when extended over a period of fifteen months. Hence their appearance in book form.
In those days of astounding discovery and achievement when the irresistible attractions of the newspapers and the magazines compel attention, and ordinarily satisfy our literary longing, few books but those of uncommon brilliance or special merit, can be expected to arrest public attention or attain profitable circulation.
Believing that it is our duty to prove our faith by our works, this unique volume is contributed to a cherished cause in the hope that while it may not hll a long-felt want, it may at least stimulate an interest in the music of Erin. Which though neglected, yet can excite the most tender and refined, as well as the most powerful emotions of which the human mind is susceptible.
Francis O'Neill
NOVEMBER, 1909.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Home Influences and Experiences-Love of Music and the Faculty of Memorizing Tunes, a Source of Perennial Happiness 7
CHAPTER II.
Acquaintance With Musical Irishmen and Scotchmen in Chicago-Enlarged Opportunities for Acquiring Irish Folk Melodies - Reducing Them to Musical Notation Commenced 28
CHAPTER III
How the Undertaking Developed, and Led to Important Results Not Originally Contemplated 47
CHAPTER IV.
Stories of Tunes With a History-Airs 65
CHAPTER V.
Stories of Tunes With a History-Dance Tunes 86
CHAPTER VI.
Stories of Tunes With a History-Dance Tunes-Continued. . 109
CHAPTER VII.
Diversity of Titles-Tunes With More Than One Name 128
CHAPTER VIII.
Duplication of Titles-Different Tunes With Same Name 145
CHAPTER IX.
Tunes of Disputed Origin-Claimed as Scotch or English 163
CHAPTER X.
Curious and Incomprehensible Titles-Corrupt and Grotesque Irish Names 187
CHAPTER XI.
Amusing Incidents and Experiences 208
CHAPTER XII.
Sketches of Early Collections of Irish Music 231
CHAPTER. XIII.
Sketches of Collections of lrish Music Commencing With Moore's Irish Melodies; Also, Miscellaneous Collections Containing Irish Music 246
CHAPTER XIV.
The Decline of Irish Music 264
CHAPTER XV.
The Past and Future of Irish Music 277
CHAPTER. XVI.
Dr. P. W. Joyce 's Estimate of the Total Number of Irish Airs Questioned 293
CHAPTER XVII.
Remarks on Irish Dances 296
CHAPTER XVIII.
Remarks on the Evolution of the Irish or Union Pipes 308
APPENDIX A.
O'Farrel1's Treatise and Instructions on the Irish or Union Pipes 320
APPENDIX B.
Hints to Amateur Pipers, by Patriek J. Touhey 332
APPENDIX C.
Illustrations of How Time, Taste and Development Have Varied Irish Folk Music 338