Not sure if this is the appropriate forum, but here goes…
What does “Si Bheag, Si Mhor” mean? I’m learning the tune, but haven’t any idea what the title means, what the song’s about, or what lyrics, if any go with it. It’s a great tune for me as a beginner, and has a wonderful melody.
Traditional searches have failed me, including Gaelic translators (of the on-line variety), Google searches, etc… all to no avail.
Thanks in advance!
tjh
The only resource I have is from Robin Williamson’s pennywhistle book, from which I qoute…
“This tune, originally known as “The Bonny Cuckoo”, was used by Carolan as the melody for his first song. A certain Squire Reynolds of County Leitrim, suggested Carolan shoud try his hand at songwriting and ventured as a theme the hostilities between two local Fairy Courts. One on the hill Sheebeg (the Little Fairy Hill) and the other on Sheemore (the Big Fairy Hill). The bones of the legendary Fin McCool are believed to be buried under a mound on Sheebeg.”
Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine. Enjoy the tune!
edited to correct Williamson’s
More info than you may really want:
–James
Thank you both for the assistance. Much appreciated!
tjh
A bit late perhaps - but here is my penny’s worth:
Sí (pronounced “she”) is the Irish for Fairy.
Beag (bee -Ugg) is the Irish for small, and
Mór (Moor) the Irish for Big.
Literal meaning small fairy, big fairy.
It refers to two hills therefore:
The big fairy hill and the small one!
It is of course, one of O’Carolan’s best known
and best loved tunes.
It’s an easy tune to learn but you can do plenty with it. I’ve played it at weddings in lieu of standard brides’ marches. I’ve also speeded it up a little and played it for dancers doing a trebble jig.
All that’s missing from that exhaustive list of alternative spellings is Simon Shebag Montefiore 
.
She Begs for More!