The Ballydesmond

polka

Key signature: Adorian

Submitted on August 16th 2001 by Jeremy.

This tune has been added to 175 tunebooks.

Also known as Ballydesmond, Ballydesmond 1, The Ballydesmond No. 2, The Ballydesmond Polkas No. 2, The Ballydesmond Polkas, Maurice Manley's.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

• 4 by Bohola
• 40th Anniversary 1946 - 1986 by The Tulla Ceili Band
• Cairde Cairdín by Diarmuid O'Brien
• Champions Of Ireland: Mandolin by Marina Meyler
• Cronin And Burke by Johnny Cronin And Joe Burke
• Dochas by Dochas
• Drops Of Springwater by Karen Tweed
• Foinn Seisiun 1 by Ceoltóirí Cultúrlainne
• Further Down The Old Plank Road by The Chieftains
• Go For It by Deirin De
• Irish Piano Magic by J.J. Sheridan
• Knot Loitering by Knot Fibb'n
• Letting Go... by Katherine Irwin Thomas
• Oi�che Go Maidean by Brendan Begley
• Sessions From..... by An Teach Beag
• Sounds From The Atlantic by Innisheer
• Take A Bow by Matt Cranitch
• The Ballydesmond Polka by Dan Herlihy And John Drew
• The First Harvest by Iain MacDonald And Iain MacFarlane
• The Flow by Chris Leslie
• The Irish Concertina Two by Noel Hill
• The Kitchen Recordings by Seán O'Driscoll And Larry Egan
• The Music Makers by Geantrai
• The Ring Sessions by James Kelly
• The Road To Riley by Riley School Of Irish Music
• The Star Above The Garter by Denis Murphy And Julia Clifford
• The Star Of Munster Trio by The Star Of Munster Trio
• Traditional Music From The Glens Of Antrim by Leo Brown And PJ Hill

X: 1
T: Ballydesmond, The
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Ador
|:E>A AB|cd e2|G>F GA|GF ED|
|E>A AB|cd ef|ge dB|A2 A2:|
|:a2 ab|ag ef|g2 ga|ge de|
|e<a ab|ag ef|ge dB|A2 A2:|

Ballydesmond #1

There are a couple of polkas called "The Ballydesmond". Quite often they are played in sets, usually starting with this one.

I've shown it here with the first note slightly lengthened. I like to emphasise that first note either by sliding up to it or playing an open A string with it.

# Posted on August 16th 2001 by Jeremy

Maurice Manley's Polka

I have seen this particular tune referred to as Ballydesmond Polka #2
or Maurice Manley's Polka. If I get a chance, I will post Ballydesmond #1.
All three Ballydesmond Polkas can be found in Jack Walch's "Session
Tunes", if I remember correctly.

# Posted on September 28th 2001 by Bloomfield

PVB session playlist

As played at PVB session,

X:1
T:Maurice Manley's Polka
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:polka
K:Ador
|:"Am"EA AB|cd e2|"G"G>F GA|GE ED|
|"Am"EA AB|B1/2c1/2d ef|"G"g1/2f1/2e"Em" dB|"Am"A2 A2:|
|:"Am"a>g ab|ag ef|"G"g>f ga|ge d2|
|"Am"ea ab|ag ef|"G"ge "E7"dB|"Am"A2 A2:|

X:2
T:Ballydesmond, The
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:polka
K:Ador
|:"Am"c2"Em"Bc1/2B1/2|"Am"AB1/2A1/2G>A|"G"Bded|g2gd|
|"Am"e1/2g1/2a"Em"ge|"G"dBGA1/2B1/2|"Am"ce"Em"dB|"Am"A2 A2:|
|:"Am"eaag1/2e1/2|"G"dgge1/2d1/2|"Am"eaab|"Em"g2ed|
|"Am"ea"Em"g1/2a1/2g1/2e1/2|"G"dBGA1/2B1/2|"Am"ce"Em"dB|"Am"A2 A2:|

# Posted on July 1st 2006 by Rune Stone

Ballydesmond #1

Slainte has pointed out that there are similarities between this tune and parts of "Farewell to Ireland"
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/33

There may well be something in that.

# Posted on January 9th 2007 by nigelg