The Session >> Tunes >> The Rights Of Man (hornpipe)

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

The Rights Of Man

hornpipe

Key signature: Eminor

Submitted on May 25th 2001 by Jeremy.

This tune has been added to 1014 tunebooks.

Also known as Bedlam Boys, Rights Of Man.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

X: 1
T: Rights Of Man, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: hornpipe
K: Emin
|:GA|B2A2 G2F2|EFGA B2ef|gfed edBd|cBAG A2GA|
BcAB GAFG|EFGA B2ef|gfed Bgfg|e2 E2 E2:|
|:ga|babg efga|babg egfe|d^cde fefg|afdf a2gf|
edef gfga|bgaf gfef|gfed Bgfg|e2 E2 E2:|

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments
The Rights Of Man sheetmusic
Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

This is a true classic amongst hornpipes. It's been played by just about everybody at some stage, so there are countless variations on the basic tune.

Personally, I like to play it at a fair to middling speed, although I must admit it can sound excellent played with a very un-hornpipelike mad dash tempo.

# Posted on June 2nd 2001 by Jeremy

Use of triplets

The version I have from the RRtunes ABC collection gets a nice lilt to this by using triplets for the decending quarter notes in the first measure
(3BcB (3ABA (3GAG (3FGF|EFGA B2ef|
and again before the tagline in the second part
edef gfga|(3bag (3agf gfed|gfed Bgfg|e2E2E2:|

# Posted on August 3rd 2003 by garym

Paddy Canny's version of Rights of Man

Has anybody done an ABC transcription of Paddy Canny's highly unusual version of "The Rights of Man"? I haven't been able to locate one on the web.

# Posted on December 5th 2003 by GaryAMartin

I really like the triplet version garym is talking about - especially if you play it high on the bow, it adds a lazy catchiness to it. For a fun version, you can lengthen every other note or so and it comes out sounding like something from Louisiana - no longer a hornpipe, but fun to play.

# Posted on July 9th 2004 by tualha04

I like to go back and forth between triplets and eigth notes in the first and fourth bar. Although I should try the first bar and roll every quater, that is another interesting variation, which I jsut came up with.

# Posted on February 15th 2006 by Unseen122

The Lyrics to this song

Does anyone know where I can find a copy of the lyrics to this song? Our Ceilidh Band, the Desert Highlanders, has just picked this song up, and I really would like to do a vocal. Try as I might though, I canna find it. Help!!!!!!!

# Posted on July 18th 2006 by Lord Cedar Hills

Lyrics?

Hi Lord Cedar!
If you find (the) lyrics to/for this song(??) remember to post them here!

# Posted on November 14th 2006 by birlibirdie

Lord Cedar Hills, could these be they?

I speak with candour one night in slumber,
My mind did wander near to Athlone,
To that centre station of the Irish nation,
Where a congregation unto me was shown,
Beyond my counting upon a mountain,
Near to a fountain that clearly ran,
The earth did tremble I'll not dissemble,
As they assembled for the Rights of Man.

All clad in green I thought I seen,
A virtuous Queen that was grave and old,
Saying children dear do not fear,
But come and hear what I will unfold,
This fertile country for seven centuries,
Since Strongbow's entry into our land,
Has been kept under by foes outnumbered,
And robbed and plundered of the Rights of Man.

My cause you chided and so derided,
When all divided alas you know,
And in disorder round Erin's border,
Strife grief and murder has laid you low,
Let each communion detest disunion,
And in love and union join hand in hand,
Believe in Graine and proud Britannia,
No more shall rob you of the Rights of Man.

Through the azure sky I then did spy,
A man to fly and he fast descends,
Straightway comes down upon the ground,
Where Erin round had her bosom friends,
His dazzling mitre and cross was brighter,
Than the stars at night or the midday sun,
And in accents rare I do declare,
He prayed success unto the Rights of Man.

When his prayer was ended he condescended,
His hand to lend it in freedom's cause,
He said I'll aid you and always lead you,
And still persuade you to Christian laws.
When in affliction or sad restriction,
My benediction with uplifted hand,
I may explain it you shall obtain it,
And always gain it with the Rights of Man.

Then the population and congregation,
In exultation agreed to part,
They shook hands like brothers and kissed each other,
While friends smothered each Irish heart.
They separated, exhilarated,
And animated at what went on,
And as day was breaking poor Shiels awaking,
Cried still be true unto the Rights of Man.

# Posted on March 5th 2007 by Ptarmigan

Composer!

Could someone post the name of the composer, if it is known?

# Posted on June 4th 2007 by bennmorland

I'm pretty certain nobody knows who composed this, bennmorland. In one or two old manuscripts it's been attributed to James Hill, but this could just have been someone's assumption. There's no proof one way or the other.

# Posted on June 4th 2007 by Dow

"The Rights of Man" ~ some other possibilities, with swing ;-)

X: 1134
T: The Rights Of Man
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: hornpipe
K: Emin
|: G>A |
B2 (3ABA G2 (3FGF | E>FG>A B2 e>f | g>fe>d e>d (3Bcd | c>BA<G A2 (3FGA |
(3BcB A2 (3GAG F>G | E>FG<A B2 e>f | g2 (3fed B2 (3fgf | e>E E>^D E2 :|
|: g>a |
b2- b>g e2 (3fga | b>^ab>g e2 (3gfe | d3 e f3 g | a>f (3def a2 (3agf |
e^def g>fg>a | b2 (3agf g>fe>f | g>fe<d B2 (3gfg | e2 E2 E2 :|

# Posted on June 10th 2007 by ceolachan

Ha ha! Even the midi swings! :-)

# Posted on June 10th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm

Yeah, it is built into the category ~ hornpipes... I have this visual need to see it too, crazy... The awful thing is that the midi can really exaggerate the swing when it is notated, but, I've heard players that play swing quite exaggerated, one reason why some fieldworkers unfamiliar with some of the forms have transcribed, as examples, barndances and highland flings as if they were 12/8 slides...

# Posted on June 10th 2007 by ceolachan

The Rights of Man

It is also, of course, the title of a hugely popular book by the English radical Thomas Paine, who was influential in both the American and French revolutions.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_of_Man

# Posted on March 22nd 2008 by eames

Rights of man

Anyone know where this tune is from?

# Posted on April 18th 2008 by Leah W

I remember reading somewhere - but cannot for the life of me remember where - that this tune and its title is nothing like as old as the title might imply.
Rather than referring to the work of Thomas Paine, the French Revolution or any of the other things happening at the end of the 18th century, it is in fact an ironical reference to the role of a husband in marriage.

# Posted on April 18th 2008 by murfbox

No murfbox - I think you're thinking about "The Home Ruler".

# Posted on April 18th 2008 by Kenny

You´re absolutely right, Kenny !
My memory is getting a bit unreliable !

# Posted on April 18th 2008 by murfbox

I LOVE Old Blind Dogs version of this from Bedlam Boys. Tough to learn on mandolin. It sounds like the entire tune is played with hammer-ons and pull-offs. I'm gonna continue trying to learn how they play it rather than from the ABC. It sounds kinda sterile with ABC and midi.

# Posted on December 22nd 2008 by Fishmonger

I think, murfbox, that Thomas Paine did write a pamphlet of great influence called 'The Rights of Man', so who knows where it all started? A great tune tho by any standards.

# Posted on January 30th 2009 by flossie

love it.....................................!

# Posted on June 17th 2009 by iloveaccordions

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