Key signature: Eminor
Submitted on May 18th 2001 by Jeremy.
This tune has been added to 2454 tunebooks.
Also known as Barney's Goat, The Bug, Butterfly, The Butterfly Gig, Eitil Im, Fiona, Im Ag Eitilt, Kick The Peeler, The Red Admiral Butterfly, The Red Monarch Butterfly.
Recordings of a tune by this name:
X: 1
T: Butterfly, The
M: 9/8
L: 1/8
R: slip jig
K: Emin
|:B2E G2E F3|B2E G2E FED|B2E G2E F3|B2d d2B AFD:|
|:B2d e2f g3|B2d g2e dBA|B2d e2f g2a|b2a g2e dBA:|
|:B3 B2A G2A|B3 BAB dBA|B3 B2A G2A|B2d g2e dBA:|
This tune has something trance-like about and is quite often played many, many times over so it's a good idea to throw in some variation to avoid monotony.
You'll only be able to do this when you're not playing on your own, of course, but try playing one part behind or ahead of everybody else i.e. if everybody else is playing the first part, play the second or third, and when everybody else is playing the second part, play the third or first.
This is one of the few Irish tunes that can be played in rounds. Just like "Row, row, row your boat"
Here's a tip from Stuart Hall for variation in the second part:
play the D, the second note in part 2, as C-natural. More jazzy!
# Posted on May 26th 2001 by Jeremy
Butterfly
I must say: This tune is my favourite and everytime I hear it I can't help my mind from making up new steps and my feet from doing them. Being an Irish dancer I've heard this tunes being play by various musicians in various ways and one way I love is the way Merv and Mike do it!
# Posted on August 28th 2001 by Irishdancer
Isn't this a Tommy Potts tune? Or am I mistaken?
Zina
# Posted on August 28th 2001 by Zina Lee
Tommy Potts
Seems to be.
http://www.claddaghrecords.com/4cc13.htm
http://msikio.online.fr/AI/salond.htm
# Posted on October 12th 2001 by glauber
Sean Potts
I believe it's by Sean Potts, the whistle player who was with the Chieftains. Tommy Potts is an older Fiddler (perhaps Sean's father?) who died in 1970, I think.
About the second part: I think it should definitely be c natural and not d. That is the way the Bothies play it. The studio version is on the 1975 album, by the way. And I think they are playing harpsichord on it to start the tune off. Cool.
# Posted on October 12th 2001 by Bloomfield
The page in French that i posted above says Tommy:
"The Butterfly est une slip-jig
# Posted on October 12th 2001 by glauber
Tommy Potts
According to Fintan Vallely's "Companion to Irish Traditional Music," Mr. Potts was born in the Coombe, Dublin, in 1912. He died in 1988. He was known as an eclectic improvisational composer on fiddle, following a conscious choice on his part to "explore alternative routes in setting and key." Word has it that Tommy would alter trad tunes so far that he found his music poorly suited for sessions and ensemble playing. He included influences from jazz and classical, and he is credited with having perhaps a deeper influence on IRTRAD today, through the playing of Martin Hayes, Joe Ryan, Paddy Canny, and Paddy O'Brien, than even Michael Coleman (I'm paraphrasing Vallely's book here, so don't go yelling at ME about Coleman's influence--yes, I mean you Brad
).
So if Potts was indeed the Butterfly's composer, he'd probably wonder why people would debate c natural vs. d or Bm chords vs Em. "Use 'em both," he'd probably say. "Wonder what other notes/chords might work?"
Will
# Posted on October 12th 2001 by Will Harmon
Tommy Potts
Yes, I do believe you're right, Will - although he probably wouldn't bother saying it, he'd probably just have laughed.
zls
# Posted on October 12th 2001 by Zina Lee
I can't remember where I heard this, but the B and C parts are older than the A part, which was composed by Tommy Potts. The last 2 parts are also called Barney's Goat. (or, at least that's who fathered the current version we all know and love). It can be found in Ryan's Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes.
# Posted on October 12th 2001 by Charlene
All those Potts
In the meantime I found out that Tommy Potts was Sean Potts' uncle. Sean's grandfather (and therefore Tommy's father) was John Potts, a piper. And it was he who died in 1970.
# Posted on October 14th 2001 by Bloomfield
Tommy Potts -Travelling Folk
Go to the Links Section and look for my Radio Scotland link -press the "listen again" button and you'll hear in amongst the rest of the programme some tracks off Tommy Potts "Claddagh" album.I coudn't believe the speed he plays "the Butterfly" - I always thought that this tune be played slower but knowing the history of the tune better than I do .................
Alan
# Posted on September 13th 2002 by Alanmmcgregor
The Butterfly
Most folk in sessions seem to play this tune slowly, but we use FAST it for the Belmont Sword Dance (Longsword - NE England) and it storms along.
# Posted on September 21st 2002 by noelbats
Bothy
Great recording of this tune in the first Bothy band album.
# Posted on October 3rd 2002 by glauber
Only partly by Tommy - ?
It's my understanding that only the "A" section is fully by Tommy Potts. The "B" and "C" sections are (or are at least were based on) a traditional slip jig called Bill Groggin's Goat.
I think a good set is to play two or three rounds of Bill Groggin's Goat and on the last repeat of the "B" section play the "C" section of the Butterfly instead; and then finish off with remainder of the Butterfly.
# Posted on October 15th 2002 by ralpheym
Kevin Burke
Kevin Burke also plays it wonderfully on his live concert album...very lively, I like it!
Blu
# Posted on December 23rd 2002 by BluFiddle
The Red Admiral Butterfly
I played this tune on flute at my senior recital at a conservatory of music! Man was my professor pissed, but then they actually said they liked it! LOL I played it with a bodran player too! I really like the rendition by the Cheiftans with James Galway. ("James Galway and the Cheiftans in Ireland")
# Posted on June 26th 2003 by danceswdeer
Kevin Burke
I agree, BluFiddle. I love the way Kevin plays Butterfly on In Concert.
-Max
# Posted on December 4th 2003 by Max Becher
Differing melodies and Butterflies
I watched John Sayles's "The Secret of Roan Inish" last weekend and noticed that "Butterfly" was a featured tune in the movie, but some of the melody lines differed from what's posted here on thesession.org. That made me curious, so I searched around the web and saw a number of different versions. None of this is surprising for folk music, but I throw out the following for comment.
Generally: Seems to me that trad music requires certain "important" notes to maintain the melody, while grace notes, transitions etc. can appropriately be changed. Where does one draw the line? Would it improve the piece to occasionally alter the melody drastically, or does that destroy rather than improve? The question is similar to another recent post re nontraditional instruments.
Specifically: Thesession.org's "Butterfly," B part, first three measures has a C natural. That sounds odd to me. I hear a D in my head rather than a C.
# Posted on February 21st 2004 by markwilson
Re: Differing melodies and Butterflies
Are you sure you have got that the right way round?
# Posted on February 21st 2004 by lukegarry
Re: Differing melodies and Butterflies
As I see it, the session's version has indeed "B2d e2f g3", whereas I know it as "B2c e2f g3". Maybe a slight hick-up in there?
# Posted on February 21st 2004 by MM
Re: Differing melodies and Butterflies
The Butterfly is played both ways - with a d or a c nat in the B part. Depends on what mode you want to hear. The d comes across as G major noise, the c nat more as E minor noise. Either works, there are no set-in-stone rules on what notes constitute a given tune, though it helps to be aware of the various commonly played settings and how they differ if you want to launch into a tune at an unfamiliar session.
# Posted on February 21st 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Differing melodies and Butterflies
This really has nothing to do with the question, but I have to say that I love the movie, "The Secret of Roan Inish". It's always good for a laugh to watch Jimmy speed around in his motor-powered cradle thing while the little girl screams, "Nae! Jimmy!"
# Posted on February 21st 2004 by Emmaline
Re: Differing melodies and Butterflies
I've got it the wrong way round -- thesession has the d while ABC tune finder had it with a C nat. Sorry.
# Posted on February 21st 2004 by markwilson
Re: Differing melodies and Butterflies
I used to do it with the d but then starting sticking the c in there as well. I must have heard someone else do it that way.
Bcd e2fg3
I do like how it sounds with just the c. Very haunting.
# Posted on February 21st 2004 by Andee
C
I learned this tune with the c, so maybe I should try the d once of twice...anyway, it's one of my favorites too - got me to bully my parents into getting me a fiddle
# Posted on July 9th 2004 by tualha04
Another recording
The Utah band, Fiddlesticks did a great recording of this song on their album "Time and again". If you want to check it out.
# Posted on December 3rd 2004 by Kas
Varation on 2nd Part
I've heard this played by Lissa Schneckenburger (www.lissafiddle.com) and on her version, I think on the repeat of the second part, the LAST measure with B A G E D B A (traditional), she played it: (all in eighth notes) B A G A G F# E D C... then into the third part. I think that it gives it a really cool alternative and transition into the last part. I really like it.
# Posted on March 5th 2005 by smittynut
old hat
# Posted on March 6th 2005 by ...
With a H D
This tune is especially eerie-beautiful on the hammered dulcimer--I know, I know, most of you don't like the H D in sessions, but if this piece is played solo, the ringing makes the stray notes clash in a beautiful way. And I've also played this moderately fast on the dulcimer too--a bit of a workout for the arms, but it sounded great with dulcimer and a lone djembe together.
# Posted on March 11th 2005 by dg416
Again…the piper is deprived of his deserved credit. This piece may have been derived from an English piece Bob and Joan perhaps, from O’Farrell’s publications. Perhaps recomposed by Tommy Potts.
# Posted on May 10th 2005 by Pete D
The music from Roan Inish
I heard the song first on The Secret of Roan Inish. Years ago I was scouring the internet trying to find sheet music to the songs. Unfortunately, the song titles, as I had found them on as part of the soundtrack, were titled in relation to parts of the movie. For instance, butterfly was called Fiona.
There were several songs on there I wanted to find, but didn't know the names. I wanted the lyrics to the songs from the movie. I got lucky there. I put up an Altan cd and found a song called An Mhaighdean Mhara which on the soundtrack is just called The Selke Song. So now I have the lyrics and translations in the liner notes.
As far as finding the name of butterfly, a session just started up in my town and we played it there. So I got the title from the other sessioners.
As far as the variation, I with the C natural. I'm curious to see how the session in my town is playing it.
# Posted on June 21st 2005 by songs4pints
Set Ideas
I've played this in a set with The Swallowtail, The Hungry Rock, or Dierdre's Fancy. Only one of those, not all together.
# Posted on August 21st 2005 by irishimp
Slip jig/Hop jig?
I think this is a hop rather than a slip jig, ie., the rhythm goes mostly crotchet-quaver rather than quaver-quaver-quaver, and the emphasis is on the first rather than the third beat. Cracking tune though.
# Posted on September 24th 2005 by Gords
C it be for me
I learned this with the c variation in the B part - haunting & Celtic sounding. very modal. playing it with the d var seems open, more empty almost bland. might be intersting to mix in the odd d in a c based version. would anyone notice among all the other miss'd notes I played (and played notes I miss)?
I love this tune. What others do folks like to combine it with?
# Posted on December 12th 2005 by Mandolin_Rich
Playing the D as a C-natural
I totally agree with playing a C-natural in the second part - I learned the tune this way and it sounds far better!
# Posted on August 26th 2006 by the red gig bag
I'd heard the Butterfly was a Potts tune as well, but then I was browsing through Ceol Rince na hEireann Vol I the other day and I found two slip jigs; one (Bothar an gCloch) which has a first part almost identical to the Butterfly, and another (Oro, a Thaidhg, a Ghra) which has exactly the same two parts as the second and third parts as the Butterfly.
From my limited Irish translation skills, I think Breathnach says that the first tune has appeared in several forms in many collections since the 18th C. and is also a song. He says he got the second tune from a stray page from an American music book and it was also collected by Goodman, which would've been well before Tommy Potts's time. It's also a song popular in Kerry and Connemara.
Least I think that's what it all says... my Irish isn't great for translating such big words!
Coincidentally, that volume of CRE that the tunes are published in is dedicated to one Sean Potts (1871-1956) which I think maybe Tommy's father (John Potts, moved to Dublin early 20th C.)... I'm sure someone can correct me on that!
# Posted on February 6th 2007 by tbag
Just as an addition to my previous comment there, I just noticed that Sean Potts (Tommy's father, John?) is listed as a source for the two slip jigs above. However there's nothing said about him composing them... with the songs and the fact that one of the tunes apparently appeared in the Goodman collection (though i've yet to find it in the Hugh Shields edited version of the collection - it's a lot to get through!) I'd be inclined to say it's just another of those associations which eventually ends with a tune being attributed to a musician.
But that's just my reckoning! And I'm not sure why I'm bothered putting the time into checking it out after stumbling upon it by chance, I don't even like the tune that much.... I'd say I only play it about once a year! ;)
# Posted on February 6th 2007 by tbag
I definitely like the C-variation better. It makes it that much more... emotional, which is why it's my favorite tune to dance to.
I actually really don't like the Kevin Burke version. He is absolutely amazing, true, but his version of the Butterfly isn't danceable. Strike one! ;)
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by wathgwen
I first heard this played by Orison
I first heard this tune played by Orison, where they play it in three different tempos - slow at first then progressively faster (thought not speeding fast) - I fell in love with that version and I am so happy to find it on here. x)
# Posted on April 8th 2007 by JonasOrlas
I play this with a couple differences -
In the second and third measures of the B part and the fourth measure of the C part I play an E instead of the D on the first D in the measure.
In the last two notes of the A part, I play a G instead of the F# and then I go back up to the A instead of the D.
I think that's how Mairead Nesbitt performs it in her album Raining Up.
# Posted on May 31st 2007 by chrisgagnemusician
"The Butterfly" ~ just for the hell of it, a few minor possibilities
X: 1134
T: The Butterfly
M: 9/8
L: 1/8
R: slip jig
K: e minor
|: B2 E G2 E F3 | B2 E G2 E FF/G/A | B2 E G2 E F3 | B2 d d2 B AFD :|
|: B2 d e2 f g2 d | B2 d g2 e dBA | B2 d dd/e/f g2 a | b2 a g2 e dBA :|
|: B3- B2 A G2 A | B3 B^AB dB=A | BcB B2 A G2 A | Bcd g2 e dB^A :|
# Posted on June 10th 2007 by ceolachan
You are twisted! It was worth hanging on for that last part.
# Posted on June 10th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Flutter by
Whenever I hear this tune, I always think they should have named it the flutterby.
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by kabur10
Getting out of Butterfly
Help ! When I play this, I go round and round enjoying the tune, but find it hard knowing how (or even where!) to end it, let alone how and where to 'hup' into another tune. Any suggestions, as my current efforts are producing a rather awkward and clumsy finish to the tune.
# Posted on May 9th 2008 by domhnall.
Video
is this the tune played in this video: The Butterfly, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW39DD6PGes
# Posted on May 12th 2008 by melodeus
Butterfly video
pretty much so...
# Posted on May 12th 2008 by spindizzy
Mairead Nesbitt
This tune isn't actually on Mairead's Raining Up album... she HAS recorded it, but only with the Celtic Woman group. The Butterfly on her album is a different version... and I'm not quite sure what it is.
# Posted on June 4th 2008 by Celtic.ceilidh
"Skin The Peelers" ~ the caterpillar to this
Key signature: C Major & G Major in the comments
Submitted on February 7th 2004 by fiel.
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display.php/2482
# Posted on July 17th 2008 by ceolachan
The Butterfly slip jig played by Tommy Potts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxKaKip3TqM
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by ceolachan
The recording of Tommy Potts on youtube of has this information:
From the liner notes by Seamus Ennis:
'An aptly titled slip-jig, depicting the flutter and flying of the butterfly from bloom to bloom high and low played with masterly execution.'
I've been paying more attention to real butterflies since hearing that clip. The Potts version came as a bit of a surprise after what I'm used to but his flutter is much more realistic that the flounce that is often served up.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by David50
Discussion: Why? ~ How not to play "The Butterfly"
# Posted on July 30th 2008 by ceolachan
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18603
# Posted on September 29th 2008 by ceolachan
"The Butterfly" in redox ~ the minimalist's fly swatter
X: 3
T: Butterfly, The
M: 9/8
L: 1/8
R: slip jig
K: Emin
|: B3 G3 F3 | B3 G3 E3 | B3 G3 F3 | B3 d3 F3 :|
|: B3 e3 g3 | B3 g3 A3 | B3 e3 g3 | b3 g3 A3 :|
|: B3 B3 G3 | B3 B3 d3 | B3 B3 G3 | B3 g3 A3 :|
fini E3- E3- E3 |]
# Posted on September 29th 2008 by ceolachan
? Tommy Potts tune
i don't think any one wrote this tune, cos i think it is coded in human dna - you just have to find it - and once you do you just can't stop listening to it ( I first heard it on After hours by the Bothy Band and tha started me listening to irish and other trad music) you especially cannot stop playing it once learned it grabs you and doesnt let go
# Posted on November 1st 2008 by selston steve
That note
have just tried it both ways on mandolin - it has to be c, i dont think this is just familiarity with the BB version, it just feels more exciting
# Posted on November 1st 2008 by selston steve
C ~ ^c ~ d ~ it doesn't end there & it don't really matter
X: 4
T: Butterfly, The
M: 9/8
L: 1/8
R: slip jig
K: Emin
|: B2 E G2 E FED | B2 E G2 E FGA | B2 E G2 E F3 | B2 d- d2 B AFD :|
|: B2 c e2 f g3 | B2 ^c g2 e dBA | B2 d e2 f g2 a | b2 a g2 e dBA :|
|: B3 B2 A G2 A | B3 B^AB dB=A | BcB B2 A G2 A | B2 d g2 e dBA :|
& that B-part, for just starters ~
=c
|: B2 c e2 f g2 c | BB/c/d g2 e dB^A | B2 c e2 f g3 | baf gfe dB^A :|
^c
|: B2 ^c e2 f g2 A | B2 ^c gec d2 A | B2 ^c e2 f g2 a | b2 a g2 e dBA :|
d
|: B2 d e2 f g3 | B2 d g2 e dBA | B2 d e2 f g2 a | b3 ag/f/e dBA :|
The primary notes of the beats in question, the first of the first three bars, are the B, which hangs well being B2, but could also be the frame of the weaker point that allows for this choice, variations, or BcB / B^cB / BdB / BgB / BB/B/B / etc...
|: *B3 e2 f g3 | *B3 g2 e dBA | *B3 e2 f g3 | b2 a g2 e dBA :|
Music, especially something as alive as this, doesn't perform well starched by unnecessary dogma...
# Posted on November 1st 2008 by ceolachan
At weak point it really doesn't matter if one person plays d, another plays ^c, and someone else plays =c, or something else... The B still carries the beat and agreement... This is part of the fun of this music... It allows for a certain amount of individual quirkiness, even in session with others...
# Posted on November 1st 2008 by ceolachan
http://www.soundlantern.com/UpdatedSoundPage.do?ToId=23181
Played as a Hop Jig
# Posted on November 30th 2008 by B Rad
Any ideas for other tunes to play around this in a set?
I'm a beginner on the fiddle and am looking for ideas for a set I can play around this tune because I love it. Any ideas?
# Posted on May 22nd 2009 by eenymo
More discussion
There's a lot more discussion, including more history, more Potts-related info, and lots of discussion about chords at this link:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/141
# Posted on August 11th 2009 by wayland
Old Harp Tune?
This is noted in Buntings as being one of the first tunes that a wire strung harper would learn. It is probably a fairly old tune, at least 1600s, if not before. It also may explain why it is in a lot of beginning and intermediate harp tutors. Ann Heyman includes it in her original primer for clarsach.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by Scott Hoye
You sure.....?
Are you telling us that this setting - a 3-part slip-jig - as posted here is in Bunting's Collection under the title "The Butterfly" ?
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by Kenny
Am I sure???/
Kenny,
Sorry for the late reply. I had copy of Ann's book, but it is now at my public library. Now that you have me doubting her reference, I will have to swing by and check it again. I believe she states that it is a tune that was used as a first tune for fledgling harpers back in Hempson's day, and was considered a very old tune.
As a side note, there is an album note on Chieftain's Six, track is Heddigan's Fancy. Sean Potts is listed as saying he though the slip jig was the oldest rhythm in Irish music. So perhaps the rhythm, if not the tempo, was there before fiddle was used quite a bit in trad music?
Will try to get back soon.--Scott
# Posted on November 9th 2009 by Scott Hoye
Correction
Above Chieftain's album should read, Chieftains Seven.
# Posted on November 9th 2009 by Scott Hoye
Apologia
Kenny,
I do stand corrected. The Bunting tune is a two part tune in 6/8, so it is a different tune altogether. It was called the Butterfly, and was gathered by Bunting from Patrick Quin of County Armagh, who played at the 1792 Belfast Harp festival. It was indeed an early tune learned by student harpers.
# Posted on November 12th 2009 by Scott Hoye
No worries......
There's been a lot of debate about the origins of "The Butterfly". This was the first time I'd heard it suggested it was in the Bunting collection, so I was just curious. All the best, Scott, and thanks for taking the time to check it out.
# Posted on November 13th 2009 by Kenny
History of this tune
This is related to the tune Bobbing Joan, or Bobbing John. See http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/BO_BOG.htm and search down for Boban John, or Bob and Joan. It appears in Playfords 1st ed 1651. It is very old, and has been used for some broadside ballads, including "My Dog and I", see http://cogweb.ucla.edu/Restoration/My_Dog.html . It has many variants including "Pawkey Adam Glen ( scots 3/2), mistakenly put here as a waltz http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/2840.
There is a tune in the Dixon Ms that has both parts of Pawky Adam Glen in it's 9 part variation set, called New way to Morpeth
# Posted on April 7th 2010 by Fuxter
Order of the parts
Listened to Pott's recording from 'The Liffey Banks' a few times, seems like it goes AABBBBCCAABBBCCAA. Not sure if he meant to do four Bs the first time around and three the next, but that's how I count. I could be wrong. The man has so much variation in his playing, it's amazing. And he plays it fairly fast, too.
# Posted on February 2nd 2011 by Resodan
The Butterfly
From http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/29316,
They're : Óró, a Thaidgh, a Ghrá (CRE1, 65) Bóthar na gCloch (Bob and Joan, CRE1 63)
# Posted on February 12th 2012 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
# Posted on February 13th 2012 by SmashTheWindows
(http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/29316#comment624175)
# Posted on February 13th 2012 by SmashTheWindows
"The Butterfly" ~ in discussion
Accompaniment for the Butterfly
# Posted on October 12th 2001 by GoldenKeyboard
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/141
Discussion: Why? ~ How not to play "The Butterfly"
# Posted on July 30th 2008 by ceolachan
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18603
What are the top tunes that are so overplayed at sessions, they make you groan?
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by worthy
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/21159
Online session on youtube (The Butterfly)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZARxiWJGAaU
# Posted on May 22nd 2009 by -Abraxas
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/21638
The worst tune in the world
# Posted on January 3rd 2012 by Jon Kiparsky
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/29067
Worst version the "The Butterfly"
# Posted on February 12th 2012 by Worldfiddler
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/29316
# Posted on February 13th 2012 by ceolachan