Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

Christmas Eve

reel

Key signature: Gmajor

Submitted on December 18th 2001 by Will CPT.

This tune has been added to 310 tunebooks.

Also known as The Christmas Eve, The Christmas, Oíche Nollaig, Oiche Nollaig, Tommy Coen's.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

A Cheap Present by Birkin Tree
A Job Of Journeywork: A Tribute To Larry Redican And His Musical Friends by Various Artists
As We Got Them: Traditional Flute And Fiddle Music From County Sligo by Various Artists
Augusta: 20 Years Of Irish Music Recorded Live At The Augusta Heritage Center by Various Artists
Call The Tune: Music For The Sets Volume 4 by Various Artists
Celtic Fire by John Whelan
Cotton-Eyed Joe by The Chieftains
Dance Music Of Ireland: Volume 2 by Matt Cunningham
Dance Music Of Ireland: Volume 3 CD Version by Matt Cunningham
Dance Music Of Ireland: Volume 5 by Matt Cunningham
Dance Music Of Ireland: Volume 7 by Matt Cunningham
Echoes Of Erin by Comhaltas Tour Group 1984
Foinn Seisiun 3 by Ennis/Dublin Session Group
Hangin' At The Crossroads by Ceili Bandits
IAANJ Session V by Mike And Mary Rafferty And Session Musicians
In The Fields In Frost And Snow by Chris Norman
In The Footsteps Of Coleman by Various Artists
Irish Fiddle Solos by Pete Cooper
La Veillée Des Veillées by Various Artists
Live In Belfast by Cathal Hayden
Luí Na Gréine by Seosamh Mac Grianna (Joe Mhicí Jimí)
Macalla Na H�ige by Hugh Healy And Colm Healy
Many's A Wild Night - Domhnach Is Dalach by Jackie Daly
Martin Hayes by Martin Hayes
Midnight On The Water by The Kings River Band
Midwinter Night's Dream by Boys Of The Lough
Music At Matt Molloy's by Matt Molloy
Music In The Glen by Kennedy's Kitchen
Music On The Wind by Sean Moloney
Musical Journey by Cormac Breatnach And Martin Dunlea
My Love Is In America by Various Artists
Nothing But A Child by Cyril O'Donoghue
On Malbay's Shore by Michael Mahony
Passing Time by Mary And Jim Coogan
Plays The Irish Tenor Banjo by Kieran Hanrahan
Set Dances Of Ireland, Volume III by Various Artists
Stormy Brew by Rig The Jig
The Bells Of Dublin by The Chieftains
The Blackberry Blossom by Mary MacNamara
The Curlew by Cliff Moses
The Darkest Midnight: A Celtic Nativity by The Beggar Boys Featuring Jayne Tankersley
The Dear Little Isle by Inishbofin Ceili Band
The Iron Behind The Velvet by Christy Moore
The Night Before.....A Celtic Christmas by Dordan
The Porthole Of The Kelp by Sean Casey
The Red Wellies by The Red Wellies
The Ring Sessions by James Kelly
The Silver Spire by Karen Tweed
The Singing Kettle by Chulrua
There Was A Maid by Dolores Keane
Toss The Fiddles by Various Artists
Traditional Irish Fiddle Music by Vincent Griffin
Traditional Irish Flute Music by Fintan Vallely
Traditional Music Of Ireland by Paddy Carty And Conor Tully
Traditional Music Of Ireland On Button Accordion by Seamus Walshe
Whistle Wizardry by Vinnie Kilduff

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

X: 1
T: Christmas Eve
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Gmaj
GE|:DB,DE G2 GA|(3BBB dB ABGA|BAGE DB,DE|G2 BG ABGE|
|DB,DE GFGA|B2 dB ABGA|BAAB G~E3|1 ABGF G2 EG:|2 ABGF ~G3A||
|:BG (3Bcd edeg|a2 ge gfeg|a2 af ~g3e|dBgB BAGA|
|BG (3Bcd edeg|abge gfeg|abge dBGB|1 ABGF ~G3A:|2 ABGF GAdc||
|:BGGA BGBd|e~g3 egdc|BGEG DGBG|FAAG FADA|
|BGGA BGBd|e~g3 efga|bgaf gedB|1 ABGF GAdc:|2 ABGF G EG||

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

Christmas Eve

Happy holidays all! I first played this three-part reel from the notes in David Taylor's "Music for the Sets" blue book, but changed the setting a fair amount to fit better on my fiddle. It's still one of those annual tunes for me--never played often enough to really stick in the memory.

The rocking back and forth from D to B, and back in the first part remind me of how Frankie Gavin swings similar phrases in Derry Craig Wood and other tunes, so I try to emulate that (with surprising success, after too much egg nog). Try to keep that swing going, particularly in the third part and its downhill run in measure 3.

So exactly what IS the connection between Santa's elves and Eire's little people? Another historical instance of the Irish having to leave home for seasonal work? :-)

Will

# Posted on December 18th 2001 by Will CPT

Tommy Coen

I also know this tune as Tommy Coen's - I belive he was a musician from Galway (not sure, though). Regardless of the title this one gets played year round in New England. This tune does not fit easily on the fiddle (esp. the third part), but is pretty natural for the flute, but my gut feeling is that it was written on a box. Just a guess.

Anybody have any info on Tommy Coen?

# Posted on December 18th 2001 by Mad Baloney

Shannon's a fluter, so she couldn't get that low note, and I can't remember off hand what her setting sounds like, just that I love it when she plays it. So, no answer to your other question, Will! I suppose I'll find out next time she's out if we play it...

Zina

# Posted on December 18th 2001 by Zina Lee

I've heard flutes play the first bar
GE | D3E G3A....

# Posted on December 19th 2001 by Mad Baloney

Christmas eve

This tune gets played quite a bit all year around, and I'm just in the process of learning it on the fiddle (I think it's a great fiddle tune!) It's nice played a bit slowish with a bit of a swing. I like it followed by Ed Reavy's " Hunter's House." Great tune!

# Posted on December 22nd 2001 by aoife

Christmas eve

This tune gets played quite a bit all year around, and I'm just in the process of learning it on the fiddle (I think it's a great fiddle tune!) It's nice played a bit slowish with a bit of a swing. I like it followed by Ed Reavy's " Hunter's House." Great tune!

# Posted on December 22nd 2001 by aoife

Christmas eve

This may or may not be true. I was told several years ago that "Christmas Eve" was a composition of the Galway -style fiddle player Tommy Coen, who did not have a name for the tune . It was broadcast on the Irish radio station RTE on a programme on Christmas eve in 1955, and so the name "Christmas Eve " was attached to the tune, and it has been known as that ever since.

# Posted on December 26th 2001 by Kenny

Here is a version which is entirely pentatonic, i.e. no C's or F#'s.
K:G
GE|D3E GEGA|B2dB ABGB |ABGE DB,DE|G2BG ABGE|
DB,DE GEGA|B2dB ABGA|B2AB GEBG|ABGE G2:|
GA|BABd edeg|abge g2eg|a2eg gage|dedB A2GA|
BABd edeg|abge g2eg|a2ge d2BG|ABGE G2:|
dB|BAG2 DGBd|egg2 egdB|BAG2 DGBG|EAA2 EAA2|
BGG2 DGBd|egg2 egdg|b2ag egdB|ABGE G2:||

trevor

# Posted on December 21st 2002 by lazyhound

ps I should have said, the pentatonic version is adapted from a version by Paul McNevin which is almost pentatonic.

trevor

# Posted on December 21st 2002 by lazyhound

Hey, Will, how session-acceptable is the setting of Christmas Eve that James Kelly plays on The Ring Sessions? (I think this one may finally have stuck, but in that setting because I listen to that recording so much).

Zina

# Posted on April 25th 2003 by Zina Lee

Zina, I just gave it another listen and it would fit in most anywhere, I think. Of course, Julia Delaney (first tune on that track) isn't commonly played in Gm....

Funny--James Kelly's setting is simpler in some phrases and much more complex in others, relative to what I've heard others do with Christmas Eve. Time to revisit the tune myself.

# Posted on April 25th 2003 by Will CPT

Thanks, Will. I listened to The Ring Sessions through most of Utah and Nevada, and do like that track a lot, even if the Julia Delaney's is in the weirdo key of Gm. For some reason, I've never been able to get Christmas Eve to sound good when I played it, for well over a year and a half, but last night I hauled out the fiddle (having exhausted myself on wedding dress making) and gave it another go, inspired by James and Zan. James Kelly seems to have done the trick! (So to speak.)

# Posted on April 25th 2003 by Zina Lee

Christmas Eve Midi File

Hey there folks... the site's great... but I have to tell ya, I just shared the Midi file for Christmas Eve Reel with my Fiddler and both of us were a bit lost... really, this particular midi rendering of this particular tune should probably be unposted and rethought through... after all, novice players may listen to this and come away thinking this is how the tune should sound. It sounded as though the renderer of this Midi track was attempting to put in the 5 note rolls, yet they weren't carrying the true spirit of the tune through to the listener, and in fact the consensius is that by not playing the basic tune through and leaving it at that, the renderer has actually thrown off the tempo and rhythm of this peice.
We look forward to seeing the site grow and flourish... let's all keep to mind that, as stated in the sign up, there are many many people(s) of varying skill level viewing this site. Tunes that are posted perhaps should carry with them any side notes stating that this posting may be a variation, etc... it's only fair to provide newbies as well as seasoned players with the absolute purest form of written sheet music as possible. Variations are great and keep a particular life-breath within the tradition but variations come second...
A rule of thumb we tend to follow in both our bands is: Learn the original first, learn it well... the original tune itself will then reveal to you the most auspiscious places to add grace-notes, pick-ups and variations if there be room at all. :-)

# Posted on January 20th 2004 by Muirich3

Midi file

Um... the midi file was made by a computer. Of course it's going to sound soul-less.

I don't believe that anybody is just relying on the midi file of any tune to learn from. It's just another tool along with the sheetmusic and ABC file that can help when learning a tune.

I look forward to seeing your tune submissions, Doursean. It's clear that you have strong feelings about how tunes should be notated and commented on.

Bye,

Jeremy

# Posted on January 21st 2004 by Jeremy

Um, yep, in my post at the top of this comment thread, I state that this is my version based on a written source. It includes the ornaments I might use, as one way of playing the tune.

The rolls come out funky in midi--the option is to not indicate where rolls can be used, and I sometimes post tunes that way too. I think there are valid arguments for posting basic (unornamented) settings, and settings with "natural" ornamentation (say, the "f" rolls in the B part of Last Night's Fun) in place. We've hashed over this before, but maybe it's time to revisit the issue. A topic for a discussion thread perhaps?

# Posted on January 21st 2004 by Will CPT

On da fiddle

On the fiddle this tune, at least as it is posted here, is like a graded study: it goes from a relatively easy A part, through the moderately challenging B part to a C part that separates the men from the boys. I'm in the latter category so far.

# Posted on April 21st 2004 by Test

Christmas Eve

Seeing as it's Christmas Eve I thought it appropriate to submit my version of this. I like Will's setting apart from the F#s. Much prefer it as a hexatonic:

# Posted on December 24th 2004 by Dow

As for the post from Jan 20th of this year: my advice is, go to sessions, learn the tunes by ear, and you won't be so lost.

# Posted on December 24th 2004 by Dow

A Flute Version

I came up with my own version of this common tune the other day. It's still the first draft, but goes like this:

# Posted on May 9th 2006 by slainte

Christmas Eve

Bail ó Dhia oraibh! Greetings one and all!

Christmas Eve…what a lovely time! What a lovely tune!

I’ve just had my first play of the day, it’s 7.30am here in Tasmania and I picked up my flute and off she went! And I thought, it is Christmas Eve.

It’s amazing how many memories can be associated with one tune.

For example the first time I was able to play it, with whom I’ve played it, that brings back some wonderful thoughts and memories of players now gone, special occasions…favourite versions.

Actually that has just jolted me! The best version I ever heard was by the recently late Tommy McManamon RIP.

And talking of favourite versions it was at The Favourite Pub! He just made that tune sing dance and laugh at the same time. God rest you Tommy and thanks for all your kindness!

Has anyone any special recollections of this tune, of others they’ve heard playing it, or perhaps another tune in particular?

I’ve been absent for a while, no access to a computer but that seems to be rectified now.

May you all be filled with peace, joy and light!

Nollaig shona,

Brian x

# Posted on December 23rd 2006 by briantheflute

MacManamon died this month on the 15th of December, 2006
~ "The Pogues" ~ "The Popes" ~ "The Favourite" ~ mandolin & banjo & ...

Discussion: Death of a banjo player Tommy MacManamon
# Posted on December 16th 2006 by Ripthecalico
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/12049

Discussion: How important are The Pogues?
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by John J
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/12075

# Posted on December 23rd 2006 by ceolachan

Christmas Eve on Flute

The first time I heard this tune was on Dan Gibson's "A Celtic Christmas Story" played on an Irish Flute, and I pretty much fell in love with it. This tune actually was the tune that inspired me to take up the Irish Flute. Does anybody know a place where I could find sheet music or possibly a MIDI of this version?

# Posted on April 1st 2007 by Leiouekairna

Tommy Coen's Inishbofin Ceili band setting

The hyperlink on the track listing at http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/2659 points to a different tune altogether but this is a rough transcription of the version of this tune on the CD...

T: Tommy Coen's
S: Inishbofin Ceili Band - The Dear Little Isle
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
D2DE G2GA | B2dB ABGA | ABGE D2DE | GABG ABGE |
D2DE G2GA | B2dB ABGA | BAGE DEGB |1 ABGE G2GE :|2 ABGE G2GA ||
BGBd edeg | a2ge g2eg | a2ge g2ge | dedB ABGA |
BGBd edeg | a2ge g2eg | a2ge d2BG | ABGE G2GA :|
BG (3GGG DG(3GGG | eg (3ggg egdc | BG (3GGG DG(3GGG| EA (3AAA EAcA |
BG (3GGG DG(3GGG | eggf g2ga| bg (3ggg egdB |1 ABGE G2GA :|2 ABGE G4 ||

# Posted on July 20th 2007 by cferrie

Not just a Christmas tune!

I'll be referring to this tune as "Tommy Coen's" from now on... I tried to introduce this tune at the session as "Christmas Eve", but people made faces and griped that it was only November, what were we doing playing Christmas tunes? It's too good a tune to only play one month out of the year!

# Posted on November 7th 2007 by fliedermaus

Help!

Is there a different version of this tune? one that can be played on a d flute without any keys?

# Posted on November 15th 2007 by kt.wolahan

You don't need any keys to play it.

# Posted on November 15th 2007 by Kenny

Keys

Ah sure you do, if you're using a Bb flute to play in G major!

# Posted on December 19th 2007 by tin_whistler