Key signature: Gmajor
Submitted on August 8th 2002 by Mark Cordova.
This tune has been added to 418 tunebooks.
Also known as An Phis Fhiliuch, An Phis Fliuch, An Phis Fluich, An Phis Phliuch, The Boy In The Bush, The Bridegroom's Delight, The Choice Wife, Feathered Nest, The Good Wife, O'Farrell's Welcome To Limerick, The Perfect WIfe, Pis Fhliuch, The Ready Woman.
Recordings of a tune by this name:
X: 1
T: An Phis Fhliuch
M: 9/8
L: 1/8
R: slip jig
K: Gmaj
|:FGA AFA c2A|BAG F/2G/2AF GED|FGA AFA d2A|d/2e/2fe dcA GED:|
|:d^cd ege d2A|d^cd fdf ~g3|{b}a2a ged c2A|BAG F/2G/2AF GED:|
|:FGA AFd AFd|AFd AFD GED|FGA AFA c2A|BAG F/2G/2AF GED:|
|:~D3 ~D3 c3|c2B c2A GED|~D3 ~D3 d2^c|d/2g/2fe dcA GED:|
|:d^cd ege c2A|d^cd fdf ~g3|~a3 ged c2A|BAG F/2G/2AF GED:||
Good tune
I picked this up last year. It was self defense and a truly late arrival to my tune lists. I am happy to have learned it though. I never heard on a recording nor have I heard it performed. It only occasionally popped out at sessions.
The conversations on open string rolls are extrememely helpfull for this tune. Look them up and make the side by side rolls on the D string meaningful.
# Posted on August 8th 2002 by Mark Cordova
Open String Rolls
Why force you to look - http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/718
# Posted on August 8th 2002 by Mark Cordova
Recordings
chieftans 2
Tommy Peoples and Paul Brady - High Part of the Road
# Posted on August 8th 2002 by donnchad
Liam O'Flynn recorded it as well, I don't know what recording it's on, though. Dirk plays a really nice slow rendition of the thing, you can find an mp3 of it on our website, http://www.askmyfather.com -- look under demos.
Will gave me the other names for the tune.
Of course, we don't usually call it by the gaelic name. We generally use O'Farrell's. Dirk hates the gaelic name.
Zina
# Posted on August 8th 2002 by Zina Lee
Oops, I meant http://www.askmyfather.net . I always do that. Sorry.
zls
# Posted on August 8th 2002 by Zina Lee
Calling a spade a spade,or not
it's on 'the well below the valley' and is paired with 'kid on the mountain',like the tommy peoples version.
noel hill plays it on his album 'the irish concertina' but calls it 'the boy in the bush'. i've also heard a cracking version by willy clancy on cassette but don't know the details.
i think it's a great tune and love hearing it on the pipes especially.
i'm sure it's got a fair few names and i think one of them is n't suitable to write down here (unless someone was pulling my leg) but 'the choice wife' is the euphemism used.
it's played in the sessions i go to,i'm happy to say
# Posted on August 8th 2002 by biggus dave
Some spades are blacker than others...
I think I know exactly which name you didn't want to write down, Dave! The Chieftans used it on one of their recordings, according to Dirk (he blushes when he says it), and it's certainly...er...blunt. *grin* It's the only one I didn't put in the alternate names list...
Zina
# Posted on August 9th 2002 by Zina Lee
P.S.
Will first told me the "boy in the bush" title, and I think I snorted on and off for about half an hour. So I'm easily amused. *snort*
zls
# Posted on August 9th 2002 by Zina Lee
For those that don't know, the translation of the title is unrepeatable in a respectable forum such as The Session. Suffice to say, 'The Good Wife' is a VERY polite version.
# Posted on August 9th 2002 by CreadurMawnOrganig
That other title
All this coyness about the *other* title of this tune gives new meaning to the phrase "beating around the bush".
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by Jeremy
*groooooooaaaaannnnn* hehehe
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by Zina Lee
By the way, this slip jig is connected with Clare piper Willie Clancy, it was apparently something of a specialty with him. But I've no idea what tune title he called it by.
David, the literal translation of the tune title isn't so bad, really...it's what it MEANS that's the trouble!
zls
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by Zina Lee
Willy Clancy
It was recorded by Willy Clancy on the 1969 Topic recording "The Breeze from Erin" under the title "The Choice Wife"
# Posted on August 10th 2002 by milesnagopaleen
A little Discussion?
I anticipated a little discussion on the title but you all have certainly exceeded my expectations. I am now wondering if everyone of you meant to post the tune but couldn't get over an internal debate of what to call it. I battled with the issue myself. If I puff out my chest I can say I was true to the tune. In truth - I was probably influenced by a darker side that day. I can still remember asking my friend if she knew the translation. She turned red and said "The Good Wife". If she was going to be that embarrased - she should have never given me the sheet music.
Peggy - If you ever see this - CHEERS Hun.
# Posted on August 12th 2002 by Mark Cordova
Mark, anyway thanks for the sheet music here. It was played at this years fiddle recitals on willie week. I heared it the first time and loved the very exciting and very energetic way it was played... heared it later at a session and asked the one who played it for the name. he gave me a whole bunch of abc
# Posted on July 14th 2003 by crannog
A hint to newish accompanists: This tune has a G key signature, but the tonal centre is D, the fifth degree of the G major scale, making this a D mixolydian tune. DO NOT back it like a G major tune!
Think in terms of modes, it helps to more accurately identify the scale used in the composition of the melody and thus select appropriate the appropriate chords.
OK, I'm off my soapbox.
This tune first appeared in print in Maurice O'Farrell's collection of tunes for the Irish bagpipes, published in 1804.
I LOVE the fourth part of this tune, it's mostly crans and "bent" C naturals-two of the most characteristic sounds of the irish pipes.
# Posted on July 25th 2003 by Hanley
Recordings
Celtic Solstice by Paul Winter and friends.
It's not exactly trad,at least not mostly.Some of the "friends" are Joanie Madden,Jerry O'Sullivan,Karen Casey,Eileen Ivers,and people like that.Paul Winter plays the sax.There are maybe three or four decent tracks out of twelve,I think,although there is too much djembe.In my humble opinion.
# Posted on December 3rd 2003 by seisflutes
The Choice Wife
Richard Thompson recorded a cracking version ,played in DADGAD,on his album,"First Light".
# Posted on March 1st 2003 by dafydd
An Phish Fluck - Chords anyone?
Anyone know where I can find the music and guitar chords for the excellent reel, An Phish Fluck. (OK, my spelling may be a bit off - phonetically it's: 'on-fish-fluk'). I can't find it in the tunes section.
I've also seen it titled 'The Woman in the Big House - as on the 'Moving Hearts' compilation. But, for reasons I won't explain that is nothing close to the actual translation of the Irish title (it's a bit rude).
Thanks for any help,
Dave
# Posted on August 8th 2004 by man_dola2
that is such a great tune
# Posted on October 27th 2004 by BTCpz
A cat's a cat and that's that
"ding dong bell, pussy in the well"
and more (mostly dry, English) pussy folklore at: http://www.sniksnak.com/folklore.html
Can I add that "phis" and "fhliuch" were my first introduction to the Irish language! I had come across the words on the jacket of Planxty's album and tried to decipher them with the help of an old dictionary (with a little detour through a grammar book to find out about the ph- / fh- structure). In truth, the translation came as a bit of a shock at the time!... and amused me much, So it is with renewed pleasure that I read the above discussion today !
but ... hey, c'm'on guys! judging by some of the comments here, a lot of people still seem to find it difficult to call a spade a spade these days ! (or a cat a cat as the French have it) what' s wrong with youse? are you's all American or totally GayByrnised/BBCised, ie: addicted to bland euphemism?
It's arse not ass you lot!
for f... sake, wise up! It's time to shed the sad part of your puritanical /Victorian/catholic heritage !
Brian (in Crannog's 14july03) seems to imply that the gaelic speakers of today might find this title offensive but is it really so? It was the introducton of English that turned the bold Irish into a mostly meek flock: defecation, sex and related taboo subjects were nothingmuch to the rural (pre-famine) Irish (see Tim Robinson's work on topology or Seamas Mac an Iomaire's on the "bod gorm" for instance) A lot of water has passed under the bridge since the banning of Tailor and Ansty
and it's time to acknowledge again the very facts of life (see Courbet's Origin of the World)(yes: enter courbet l'origine at google's image search and blush!)
Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh, best wishes for 2005!
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by birlibirdie
Because this is a family site, mainly, and our only rule ('Be Civil') is a good one. I've never really been accused of shyness too often, though! (And I AM an American. Er, only I just realized that there's two things that Americans are slammed for regularly -- being prudish and being rude. Strange, that.) And I note that you haven't called that particular spade a spade either... ;) Probably smart. OBD might have decided to rouse...
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by Zina Lee
Zeens, he has a point though. Saying wet pussy isn't being uncivil. However, if I actually *call* someone a wet pussy, with no hint of irony in my voice, that *would* be uncivil. As for the "family site" thing - if a kid's streetwise enough to know what it means then it's not going to damage them. I don't think there's any need to go around effin' and blindin' on this site, but in the end, this is just the name of a tune. Maybe the American wavering between being prudish and downright rude is down to a confusion as to the meaning of "uncivil". It's interesting to note at this point that in American films it's ok to show the detail of someone having their head blown off with a shotgun in slow motion, but sex and people's bits and pieces are a no-no, except if it's a porno. This is just accepted now, but think about what that actually means about what it's natural and right for human beings to be doing to each other.
Anyway I thought you were supposed to be Chinese.
# Posted on January 5th 2005 by Dr. Dow
BTW a wet one is preferable instead a dry one.
# Posted on January 5th 2005 by gian marco
Kind of ironic this tune has been added to 69 tunebooks.
# Posted on January 27th 2005 by Why Bother?
Why is the contraversial title entered twice?
# Posted on January 27th 2005 by Phantom Button
Davy Spillane does a version of this on the Atlantic Bridge album but it's called "Tribute to Johnny Doran." Sounds great though.
# Posted on March 3rd 2005 by wormdiet
2nd & last parts
Are both really necessary? Do people play them as written out?
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by wormdiet
This is hilarious - can't believe the language in the 'alternate names' list... ha. Brilliant. Gets me every time...like 'touching cloth'
# Posted on May 23rd 2006 by Lizzy
Twin Sister
An Phis Thirim (aka. O'Farrell's Farewell to Limerick): http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/4130
# Posted on May 24th 2006 by slainte
Great 'other meaning'
haha can you imagine this irish guy on telly who is introducing a piper on a music channell...
"and now ladies and gentlemen, Shan O'Shannasey with 'the wet eejit'!"
haha i love it
But on the other hand, it was one of the first slip jigs - let alone tunes - i learnt to play on the pipes thanks to daby spillane, i play it closer to his version though, but when the time calls for it in a session i'll play the 'trad.' version.
One of my all time favourites! THUMBS UP
# Posted on July 11th 2006 by Scrappy the Godo
Whats the deal?
what the hell? they've got c words here and there on the alternate titles but when i write c**t here it changes it to eejit?
eejits!
# Posted on July 11th 2006 by Scrappy the Godo
Maybe a chance of deleting some of those alternate titles??
# Posted on October 30th 2006 by 52Paddy
Aww.. the alternate titles have been deleted..
# Posted on January 12th 2008 by cabers
First bar of the last system (the E part I suppose), second C should be natural, no?
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by fynnjamin
Second C in the 1st bar of E part
Should be a sharp.
# Posted on May 27th 2008 by tin_whistler
O'Farrell's Welcome to Limerick
Published in O'Farrell's National Tutor (1801 or so) with 6 parts.
The 2nd and 5th are close, but thankfully *not* always identical. (See Willie Clancy, Matt Molloy, for instance)
Pretty much the same as usually played in sessions otherwise though!
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by Nico
Second C in the 1st bar of E part
(i.e. bar 21), the second C should actually be natural - I have never heard it played any other way.
|:d^cd ege =c2A|d^cd fdf ~g3|~a2 f ged c2A|BAG F/G/AF GED:||
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by fynnjamin
Oh, that was me earlier saying it should be natural.
It still is, tinwhistler.
# Posted on March 3rd 2009 by fynnjamin
Better Piping Version
X: 1
T: An Phis Fhliuch
M: 9/8
L: 1/8
R: slip jig
K: Gmaj
|:A|(3D/E/F/GA AFA c2A|BAG F3 GED|(3D/E/F/GA AFA d2A|dg/f/e dcA GED:|
|:dB/c/d ege d2A|dB/c/d fef g3|a3 ged c2A|BAG F3 GED:|
|:(3D/E/F/GA AFd AFd|AFd AFd GED|(3D/E/F/GA AFA c2A|BAG F3 GED:|
|:D3 D3 c3|c2B c2A GED|D3 D3 d2A|dg/f/e dcA GED:|
|:dB/c/d ege c2A|dB/c/d fef g3|a3 ged c2A|BAG FG/A/F GED:||
# Posted on April 1st 2009 by JACKB
An Phis Fhliuch
Nicely played here by Zoe Conway and Meabh O'Hare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzi7OhSzysw
# Posted on November 6th 2009 by bogman
An other ‘splendid notion’: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1398
# Posted on April 26th 2010 by birlibirdie
an phis fliuch or whaa?
i have just fallen in love with this tune its wonderful cannot play it yet i cant even spell it an phis an fish flook i think i may choose one of the other names offerd in the details page one of the titles apeals to my sense of humour when asked after learning and performing this at my session i would sit back and wait for someone to ask what was that one called ? the c>/t in the morning im not a prude but im sure i would blush
go on check if you like
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by KieronF
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
"The Choice Bride".
Of course, gaelic is so wonderfully idiomatic, I heard someone explaining that the big sun sticker with the "Nuclear power, no thanks" slogan in the gaelic could also be translated as "Actually, red-haired men are rather sexy !"
Does this help to explain all the different titles you have been given ?
Of course, when an old language is being pushed out by a newer one, often the last thing the old one is used for is vulgarity you don't want the posh people to hear or understand.
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
Why don't you call it by it's English translation then, I'm sure you wouldn't blush then!
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by bogman
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
then, then, then, argh, knackered
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by bogman
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
What's so blush-inducing about The Cat in the Rainbarrel?
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
The old Nice Title that it was changed to is -
'' O'Farrell's Welcome to Limerick ''
And the 10 year old who taught me it Right --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgVA0tVsKUw
jim,,
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by FIDDLE4
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
"The Wet Front Bottom".
Doesn't have the same ring to it at all.
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
Rainbarrel?
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by bogman
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
no i have decided i am going to learn the proper gaelic spelling now i love the name as much as the tune and nearly as much as what it seems to be about excuse me there i go blushing again
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by KieronF
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
thank you very much fiddle4 or jim hes brill i suddenly feel iwill get there with this boys help hes solid when i grow up i want to be half as good as him
# Posted on May 24th 2010 by KieronF
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
When I've played this tune at gigs, or even been asked in sessions, as regards the title "as gaelige", I've answered that using some loosely translated vowels might translate as "The White Volvo"
Best
Brian x
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by briantheflute
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
One of the two beautiful fiddlers playing it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzi7OhSzysw
announces the title so clearly that you could learn to say it correctly. They follow it with Will You Come Home With Me? Dream on, I think!
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by RichardB
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
Can I just point out that I think Red haired men are sexy too
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by bazouki dave
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
Brian x
"The White Volvo" --- That's one I must remember that last word though I'd have to be Careful ,, lol . When asking that young Piper to play it, I just Call it - '' The Virgin Mary '' One of is Southern Slang Name's -- But the wee lad Simle's alot first,, as He and his Father are Pretty Fair at the Irish,,, Kid's are not so Stupid ,, Now-a-Day's,,,
jim,,,
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by FIDDLE4
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
"One of the two beautiful fiddlers playing it here..."
Beautiful she is, but she doesn't pronounce it very well!
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by amhrán
sorry!
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by rob_heron
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
Well, if you put "an phis fliuch" into Google Translate, it comes out with "the wet nut"...
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by Joe CSS
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
Last word Joe --
Starts with a C -- sounds like Runt -- lol
jim,,,
Only Joking Now !!!!
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by FIDDLE4
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
How does one pronounce 'an phis fliuch'?
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by yhaalhouse
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
The Cat In The Well
# Posted on May 25th 2010 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: an phis fliuch or whaa?
"Wet Front Bottom..." Oh, stop it! I think I shall die!
# Posted on May 26th 2010 by Steve Shaw
Re: O'Farrell's Trip to Limerick (discussed by Chavs)
Yet another misogynistic set of rants is taking place here,
about the tune originally called O'Farrell's Trip to Limerick, also named The Choice Wife (and later renamed by intinerant musicians in line with their level of respect for women). I'm sure many here would be happier if chav-style misogyny was kept down, so as not to discourage female participants in what is after all Gaelic music, from the Gaelic tradition where hatred of women was always dispised.
# Posted on May 27th 2010 by dsndfkjasf
An Phis Fhliuch
I've just come across a clip of a friend of mine playing the tune on the pipes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3rskAEMJp4
I've seen her start sets with the tune a couple of times in sessions, so it's probably among her favourite tunes. I daren't ask her if she knows what the title means! Or should I?
# Posted on June 21st 2011 by slainte