John Walsh's

polka

Key signature: Gmajor

Submitted on March 11th 2007 by Rumgut.

This tune has been added to 31 tunebooks.

Also known as Derrygallen Bridge, The Derrygallen Bridge, John Walsh's #1, John Walsh's No. 1.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

• A Flying Start by Paul Moran And Fergal Scahill
• Brathar Na NOl by Monks Of The Screw Trio
• Dance Music Of Ireland: Volume 9 by Matt Cunningham
• First Steps by The Jig Is Up!
• Foinn Seisiun 2 by Ceoltóirí Cultúrlainne
• Gleanntan by Sliabh Notes
• The Heather Breeze by Heathery Breeze Ceili Band
• The Tain Ceili Band by The Tain Ceili Band
• Uncovered by Garry Walsh

X: 1
T: John Walsh's
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
G>A BA|GE ED|B,D ED|B,D ED|
G>A BA|GE ED|B,D ED|G2 G2:|
g2 gf/g/|ag ge|dB BA|GA Bd|
g2 gf/g/|ag ge|dB BA|G2 G2:|

John Walsh's Polka

According to Fiddler's Companion: John Walsh is from near Kanturk, County Cork, and has composed several slides and polkas that have entered tradition. In 1999 he was described (by Jackie Daly via Paul de Grae) as being in his 60's, and as being a nice, quiet, shy man.

This setting is transcribed from CCÉ's CD "Foinn Seisiún" Volume 2, Track 26, where it is played with the A and B parts reversed.

There's also a nice recording by Jackie Daly on Patrick Street's "Irish Times", Track 5. It's the first tune of the "Newmarket Polkas" set, and played with the parts in the same order as transcribed here.

# Posted on March 11th 2007 by Rumgut

Newmarket Polka

The Patrick Street / Jackie Daly setting is in Amaj, and is in the database as The Newmarket:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/329

# Posted on March 11th 2007 by Rumgut

A and B part Reversals

There are a few tunes like this where the A and B parts can be interchanged depending what session you play in - Anderson's reel is another one that immediately comes to mind. The result of this at a session can be highly amusing as if you have a fairly even split of musicians playing together with the different interpretation of the tune in their heads, then it can go on for ages! It happened with this very polka some years ago at the Monkstown session where local musicians started with the high bit while the visitors were used to starting on the low bit. Never have I experienced a polka being played so many times! I should also say that this is a great polka and I wonder if John has composed any others.

# Posted on March 11th 2007 by Bannerman

1st in a beautiful set of 3 ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egxa2Hn_rcA

# Posted on April 12th 2009 by ceolachan

Youtube video

What are the other two tunes? And who is playing them?

# Posted on April 17th 2009 by davarm