The Skyeman's

jig

Key signature: Amixolydian

Submitted on October 14th 2008 by malcombpiper.

This tune has been added to 24 tunebooks.

Also known as Skyeman's, Skyman's, The Skyman's.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

• A Tune For Bill by Banchory Strathspey And Reel Society
• Flagstone Memories by Andrew Mac Namara, Orla Harrington And Jim Higgins
• Jock Tamson's Bairns by Jock Tamson's Bairns
• Spinndrift by Mooncoin
• The Old Woman's Dance by The Tannahill Weavers

X: 1
T: Skyeman's, The
M: 6/8
L: 1/8
R: jig
K: Amix
|:e| AAA e2d|efg e2d|B2G GGG|BdG Bee|
AAA e2d|efg e2d|e2d g2G|BAA A2:|
|:e|aga g2e|edg e2d|B2G GGG|BdG Bee|
[1aga g2e|edg e2d|e2d g2G|BAA A2:|
[2AAA e2d|efg e2d|e2d g2G|BAA A2||
|:e|AAA eAe|AaA eAd|B2G GGG|BdG Bee|
AAA eAe|AgA eAd|e2d g2G|BAA A2:|
|:e|aAA egg|fdd e2f|gAA egg|e2A BGG|
[1aAA egg|fdd e2d|e2d g2G|BAA A2:|
[2AAA eAe| AgA eAd|e2d g2G|BAA A2|]

Pipe jig

This is a Scottish pipe jig. A bagpipe setting can be found in John MacFadyen's first collection.

As such I set it as A Mixolydian but there's no 'C' in the tune so it could be A Dorian too.

I set the first beat of the B part as 'aga' to give some leeway. The pipe setting embellishes that with a grip between the A (like a very quick cran) that would look like a(3G/d/G/a. The higher G might be easier for other instruments.

# Posted on October 14th 2008 by malcombpiper

'aga'

This is in fact the way it was in the original 2-part version published in the Cowal Collection, so your instinct is sound.

My instinct is that the 2 additional parts don't quite do what they are trying to do - there's some funky syncopation, but the structure is very loosely followed and it gets a bit aimless, especially in the 4th strain.

Have you ever noticed the similarity in opening phrases between this one and Walking The Floor
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1739
?

# Posted on October 15th 2008 by Matt Seattle

Now you mention it, Matt, I never quite got that 4th part.

# Posted on October 15th 2008 by CreadurMawnOrganig

I would say it's a translation problem guys. It actually sits quite nicely on Scottish pipes, but like some other tunes doesn't translate to other instruments that well.

# Posted on October 15th 2008 by bogman

The tune is best backed in A minor. Despite being written in A mix lots of pipe tunes just leave out the third to give the feel and shape of a minor.

# Posted on October 15th 2008 by bogman

Skyeman's

A little googling says the third and fourth parts were written by Duncan Johnstone.

# Posted on October 15th 2008 by MattO'K

Walking the Floor

Yes, rather similar to Walking the Floor and the syncopated bits are reminiscent of Murdo MacKenzie of Torridon.

# Posted on October 17th 2008 by malcombpiper