Saturday 28 December 2024
Tune of the Day: The Jolly Old Man
Traditional Irish jig
The title of this jig comes from Chicago collector Francis O'Neill, who had the untitled tune from Jimmy O'Brien, a County Mayo piper who spent a few months in Chicago in the 1870s. The “jolly old man” of the title was the elderly father of a family of flute-playing sons, who tried his best to dance a certain jig step to O'Brien's piping.
He appealed to the piper, in strident tones, “Single it, single it; I can't double with the other foot.” This concession granted, he continued for a time, amidst great applause.
O'Neill named the tune in honor of Mr. Maloney, the elderly dancer.
The tune itself is closely related to the Scottish melody “Bung Your Eye”, which can be traced back to the mid-18th century.