Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

The Old Wheel Of Fortune

reel

Key signature: Dmajor

Submitted on June 3rd 2007 by ceolachan.

This tune has been added to 8 tunebooks.

Also known as The King Of Meenasillagh, Wheel Of Fortune, The Wheel Of Fortune.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

X: 1
T: Old Wheel Of Fortune, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Dmaj
dB |: AFEF DDEG | FDAD BdcB | AFEF DDEG |1 FAEF DcdB :|2 FAEF Dfed ||
K: Amaj
cAeA fAec | Aaec dcBc |1 Acec Acea | fdBc dfed :|2 d/d/d fd cdec | Bcde fd c/c/d ||

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments
The Old Wheel Of Fortune sheetmusic
Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

"The Wheel of Fortune" / "The Old Wheel of Fortune"

This transcription is from the playing of James Byrne, Donegal fiddler...

# Posted on June 3rd 2007 by ceolachan

"The Auld Wheel of Fortune" ~ reel & the highland fling/strathspey:

"The Old Wheel Of Fortune"
Key signature: D & A Major
Submitted on June 2nd 2007 by ceolachan.
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/7297

# Posted on June 3rd 2007 by ceolachan

???

So, you posted it yesterday, and forgot already?

# Posted on June 3rd 2007 by m_gavin

Smart arse! ~ this is the reel, and like with a lot of 'Scottish' tunes, there is a companion strathspey (highland fling), so I'm just being 'considerate' and giving the links between the two tunes, for the posterity of this website, and for you entertainment pleasure... ;-)

# Posted on June 3rd 2007 by ceolachan

What fantastic posts. I love how they both link up now, and how the other one's been reunited with its proper name. God love ya, 'c'!

# Posted on June 4th 2007 by Dow

Yeah, these are nice. I like especially the strathspey. Makes me want to buy those collections.

# Posted on June 4th 2007 by m_gavin

Thanks "c" for this lovely reel. You can listen to James Byrne himself playing this reel on this page: http://www.cdworld.ie/product-detail/31217/VINCENT+CAMPBELL++CON+CASSIDY++JAMES+BYRNE++FRANCIS+BYRNE/THE+BRASS+FIDDLE And of course you can buy the recording too.

# Posted on June 4th 2007 by slainte

King Of Meenasillagh

http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/3268

Maybe not twins, but brothers at least....

# Posted on June 4th 2007 by swisspiper

"King Of Meenasillagh" ~ Yes!

Great catch Swiss, I had done a search but didn't check all the bars, they are definitely of the same fabric... While there is some difference, I would call them one-and-the-same tune. Excellent! I like the variations between the two as well. I have most of the Altan recordings, but nothing post Kennedy, so I haven't got "Another Sky". Do they give any notes as to where they sourced the tune and title?

# Posted on June 4th 2007 by ceolachan

I do not have this Altan CD either, I play it with my band on request of our fiddler. I have heard Altan's version once or twice, it is better and faster than ours....

# Posted on June 5th 2007 by swisspiper

Meenasillagh is a townland of Glencolumbkille (Co. Donegal). If I remember correctely it's a nice walk over the hill north of 'downtown' to another small harbour with a few inhabitants still.

# Posted on June 5th 2007 by swisspiper

My suspicion is that it might refer to a fiddler from the area...

# Posted on June 5th 2007 by ceolachan

J.B.?

# Posted on June 5th 2007 by slainte

Not a member yet? Sign up!

forgotten your password?

Frequently Asked Questions

Enter your email address to have your password sent to you.