The Downfall Of Paris

I've known this one for years. Don't be put off by the length because it's fairly repetative and so easy to learn. I think this is technically a set dance but it has a hornpipe rhythm. The tune sort of goes in undulating waves and I find using 'mf' on the high notes and a little 'mp' on the low notes adds a nice dynamic.

# Posted on September 30th 2005 by JonB

A very fine renditioning of this can be found recorded by the Chieftains on their LP 'Bonaparte's Retreat' (Island label, 1976).
It is part of a long and evocative set of tunes relating to the defeat of Bonaparte's army. It is described as a set dance tune. Paddy Maloney's version is said to evoke the colapse of the Empire.

# Posted on September 30th 2005 by hetty

Another uber-standard American Fife & Drum piece. I kinda like it like this as a hornpipe. As a fife piece it screams, and it's rather difficult. Reference the fife version:
http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc/cgi/abc/TuneGet?F=TXT&X=51&U=http://members.cox.net/chrismyers/CFD_Vol1_webready.abc

# Posted on September 30th 2005 by FyfferGuy

"Ça Ira" ~ "Carillon National" ~ "Ceimsios Parais"

Song, March, Set Dance, Slur ~ Too many distractions you beat met to this one. I'll return later with one of the notations I'd collected for this. Some play it without the :||: repeats. Here's some of the sources and links to more information regarding this tune of many guises and much history:

Kerr's Fourth Collection of Merry Melodies, page 40 ~ 'march'

A Sussex Tune Book ~ "The Fall of Paris"

The Fiddler's Companion
http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/DOW_DOY.htm

http://www.oldmusicproject.com/
http://www.oldmusicproject.com/OtherMusic.html
http://www.oldmusicproject.com/OneillsHornpipes.html

http://abc.musicaviva.com/tunes/ireland/on/oneill-1850/oneill-1850-1562.abc

http://www.drumband.org/music/downfall.pdf

South Riding Folk Arts Network
http://www.folk-network.com/welcome.html
South Riding Folk Arts Network Publications
http://www.folk-network.com/products/index.html
The South Riding Tune Book Volume 1
http://www.folk-network.com/products/tunebook1.html
The Downfall of Paris
http://www.folk-network.com/products/notes/downfall.html
& further links ~
http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/index.html
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/mussmhtml/mussmhome.html

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/dihtml/dihome.html
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/dihtml/dicatlg.html
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=musdi&fileName=011/musdi011.db&recNum=0

# Posted on October 1st 2005 by ceolachan

"The Fall of Paris" ~ 1805

O’Farrell’s Pocket Companion for the Uilleann or Union Pipes,

# Posted on October 1st 2005 by ceolachan

Wow Ceolachan! That's a lot of info on this tune. I should perhaps have left the transcription to you

FyfferGuy, I've only ever heard this with a "hornpipish" feel although I have seen it written with a straight rhythm. I checked out the fife version! Struth! That rattles along at a fair old clip doesn't it. I'd imagine (without meaning to be rude to fife players) that it could be a bit shrill!

# Posted on October 3rd 2005 by JonB

Uhh -- I am a fife player, and it *is* shrill!
At jam sessions, it's often played between 110 - 120 bpm, and the second time through (yes, it often gets played twice!), the drummers "double" it! It's enough to send you back for another beer.

# Posted on October 4th 2005 by FyfferGuy

Bar 6

Glad to see this has appeared here. (I should check more often...) It's an old favourite of mine, but one I've rarely heard played, so now I can check out some of the recordings, etc.

All the settings I'm familiar with (Eugene O'Donnell, O'Neill's, my own) have a different 2nd and 6th bar in the 3rd and 4th parts, though. Like this:
BdgedcBA
which takes you much more elegantly to the G at the start of the next bar.

I seem to have acquired a different 6th bar in the first two parts as well. Mine goes:
BdgedcBG
and so up to the A at the start of bar 7. I'm not so sure about the validity of this variation though....might be more on a mental aberration on my part.

I find it a great tune for imitating the pipes. Never knew that it had travelled so far and wide, though.

# Posted on December 16th 2006 by kris

"The Downfall of Paris" ~ O'Neill ~ and this can be straight or swung

"O'Neill's Music of Ireland", 1903
"Dance Music of Ireland, 1001 Gems", 1907

Here follows a transcription based on these two collections... This melody can also be taken straight, without the swing and bounce of a hornpipe or your classic 'set dance', but with some of the rhythmic possibilities and interests of a march...

# Posted on December 17th 2006 by ceolachan

"The Downfall of Paris" ~ other minor possibilities

# Posted on December 17th 2006 by ceolachan