A Punch In The Dark

reel

Key signature: Bdorian

Submitted on August 29th 2003 by Dow.

This tune has been added to 161 tunebooks.

Also known as Punch In The Dark.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

• Are You Willing? by Tabache
• Comas by Comas
• Doctor A's Secret Remedies by Four Men And A Dog
• Feel The Bow by Aidan Burke
• First O' The Darkenin' by Chris Stout
• Gan Bua by Gan Bua
• Nine Fine Irishmen's Sin E Ri-Ra by Sin E Ri-Ra
• The Back Door by Cherish The Ladies
• The Blue Fiddle by Sean Smyth
• The Kinnitty Sessions by Lunasa
• The Story So Far... by Lunasa

X: 1
T: A Punch In The Dark
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Bdor
|:B3d cBdc|BdcA F3A|BdcB dcBd|caag afec|
dcBd cBdc|BdcA F3E|C3F EFAB|1 cdec decd:|2 cdec defg||
|:a2ag aece|~a3e gabg|a2ag aece|dB~B2 defg|
a2ag aece|~a3e gabg|a2ge (3fga ec|1 dcBc defg:|2 decd Bdcd||

This is a slightly unusual version of the tune, based on Karen Tweed's setting, but I much prefer it to Sean Smyth's setting, which is probably more like the original, written by Gerry O'Connor. I've transcribed this version not only because I think it's more interesting, but also because you'll find a more standard session setting elsewhere on the net. Having said that, this one does not clash with the standard so you can get away with it no probs at sessions.

# Posted on August 29th 2003 by Dow

I'm sure this doesn't really matter, but "The Punch In The Dark" sounds really silly. I'm sure Gerry O'Connor entitled it just "Punch In The Dark", or if you really think there has to be an article: "A Punch In The Dark".

# Posted on August 29th 2003 by Dow

Another thing about this tune that springs to mind - the A part has a syncopated riff a bit similar to the B part of "The Up Downey Reel", but I think this tune is much meatier, so if I had to play one of the 2 tunes, I'd go for this one every time.

# Posted on August 29th 2003 by Dow

True, a meatier tune, but without the beautiful combination of sillyness and darkness you get from UpDowny

# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by SirNose

This is on the first track of Wild Geese - In Full Flight, from about 1982. Gerry must have been very young then.

# Posted on November 14th 2003 by Nick Splease

A Dorian

X: 1
T: A Punch In The Dark
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Ador
|:A3c BAcB | AcBG E3G | AcBA cBAc | Bggf gedB |
cBAc BAcB | AcBG E3D | B3E DEGA | BcdB cdBc :||
|:g2 gf gdBd | g3d fgaf | g2 gf gdBd | cA A2 cdef |
g2 gf gdBd | g3d fgaf | g2 fd (3efg dB | 1 cBAB cdef :|2 cdBc AcBc ||

# Posted on November 24th 2008 by JACKB