The Fireman's

reel

Key signature: Amajor

Submitted on November 6th 2002 by lazyhound.

This tune has been added to 17 tunebooks.

Also known as Fireman's, Going To California, Humours Of California, The Humours Of California, Imtigte Go California, The Juggler, Off To California, Off To California (jig), Whiskey, The Whiskey.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

• A Celtic Heritage by Marcille Wallis
• A Flick Of The Wrist by Brendan Larrissey
• Alesia by Rapalje
• An Ceoltoir Fanach by Cathy Custy
• Another Side Of Cape Breton by Johnny Wilmot
• Bean Chairdin by Dympna O'Sullivan
• Bridgetown by Johnny B. Connolly
• Cairde Cairdín by Diarmuid O'Brien
• Ceol Na Carraige by The Owenabue Valley Trad Group
• Dance Music Of Ireland: Volume 4 by Matt Cunningham
• Dance Music Of Ireland: Volume 9 by Matt Cunningham
• Dancing Through Ireland by Various Artists
• Fiddle Duets by Andy McGann And Paddy Reynolds
• Fiddle Fair: Declan McCarthy's Baltimore by Various Artists
• Fluters Of Old Erin: Flute, Piccolo And Whistle Recordings Of The 1920's And 30's by Various Artists
• Foinn Seisiun 2 by Ceoltóirí Cultúrlainne
• From Galway To Dublin: Early Recordings Of Traditional Irish Music by Various Artists
• Gerry MacFadden by Gerry McFadden
• House Party by Máire O'Keefe
• In Good Hands by Paddy Murphy
• Irish Dance Music by Various Artists
• Knot The Metronome by Runt O'the Litter
• La Harpe Irlandaise - The Irish Harp by Katrien Delavier
• Learning Irish Fiddle by Paul McNevin
• Legacy by Tommy O Sullivan
• Letting Go... by Katherine Irwin Thomas
• Live In Concert by Brid Harper And Dermot Byrne
• Luí Na Gréine by Seosamh Mac Grianna (Joe Mhicí Jimí)
• Memoire Celte by Broken String
• Open Hearth by Mary And Andrew MacNamara
• Regrouped by Boys Of The Lough
• Riverdance And Other Famous Irish Songs And Dances by Various Artists
• Russell's House by Russell's House
• Sarah McFadyen And Kris Drever by Sarah McFadyen And Kris Drever
• Set Dances Of Ireland, Volume II by Various Artists
• Slowplay Jigs, Reels And Hornpipes by Jeffrey Hillgrove
• Spirit Of The Isles: A Concert For Beltane by Various Artists
• The Gallowglass Ceili Band by The Gallowglass Ceili Band
• The Galway Rambler by John G. Walsh
• The Music Of Kevin Keegan by Kevin Keegan
• The Parish Platform by Rattle The Boards
• The Russell Family Of Doolin, County Clare by The Russell Family
• Traditional Irish Dance Music: All Star Ceili Band by Joe Derrane
• Traditional Irish Tunes Played On The Tin Whistle (2/2) by Geraldine Cotter
• Traditional Music In Support Of Doolin Coast And Cliff Rescue Service by Various Artists
• With A Lot Of Help From Their Friends by Mary Custy And Eoin O'Neill

X: 1
T: Fireman's, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Amaj
AcBc AFEF|Acea f2fg|agfe fecA|BcBA F2E2|
AcBc AFEF|Acea f2 (3efg|agfe fecA|B2A2 A4:|
|:eaga fece|eaga f2fg|agfe fecA|BcBA F2E2|
AcBc AFEF|Acea f2 (3efg|agfe fecA|B2A2A2c2:||

This reel comes from an old collection of New England fiddler's tunes. It resembles the hornpipe "Off to California", and I wonder if one tune could have been derived from the other, or both from a common source.
It's a technically easy tune for the fiddle player, and being lively and somewhat repetitive would make a good tune for a beginner to learn and gain confidence.

# Posted on November 6th 2002 by lazyhound

Do I detect a subtle pun in the title - The Fireman's Reel?

This tune certainly bears more than a passing resemblance to Off to California. Since much of the New England fiddle repertoire of English, Irish and Scots origin, it is probably fair to say that The Fireman's Reel is a version of Off To california, transposed up a tone, simplified slightly, played in a slighly different rhythm, and given a different name. It is also worth remembering that, in some musical traditions the distinction between a hornpipe and a reel is not quite as clear as it is in Ireland.

# Posted on November 7th 2002 by granama

"Off to California" ~ to swing or not to swing

hornpipe / reel
Key signature: G Major
Submitted on May 21st 2001 by Jeremy.
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/30

# Posted on March 7th 2006 by ceolachan

~ as 'spoon' said ~ the tendency is to play hornpipes straight and as if they were reels...amongst some practices in the Western world...

# Posted on March 7th 2006 by ceolachan

"New England Fiddler's Repertoire"

by Randy Miller and Jack Perron, first published in 1983.

http://www.randymillerprints.com/fiddletunebooks.htm

Page 81: "Fireman's Reel"

# Posted on March 10th 2006 by ceolachan