The Old Man Rocking the Cradle

Uilleann Pipes
1

I need a little assistance with a section of this tune (The Old Man Rocking the Cradle) if possible.

I have been playing the Leo Rowsome version from his “King of the Pipers” CD.

It has an A part that is slow and a B part that has a lilting rhythm to it.

I have learned this air by ear, but I am having an issue with the second part of the B part. One section is throwing me a bit.

So, if anyone can supply the ABC or notation for the complete air I would be most appreciative.

Ronan Browne also plays is on the Pipers’ Choice 1 DVD. He adds a lot more than Leo did and although his playing is wonderful, I prefer the Rowsome version for some reason.

I have searched eveywhere on the internet with no luck finding what I need.

Thanks as always!

Richard

2

There’s a version in DMWC, and there’s the Willie Clancy recording it was taken from, if you can find it.

Peadar Broe did a nice simple version of part of it too. Padraig O Keeffe had the key to the tune though.

3

Broe actually states on the tape that he’s playing Sheela na Guira, basically the same tune. He started out playing it as a slow air, then sped up with each repeat - a nice device.

I always thought Willie was playing O’Keefe’s setting of that, albeit in G. I’ve never had any luck following along, myself. Gumby is punning here on how O’Keffe would touch the bridge of the violin with a large door key held in the teeth, modulating the sound to emulate the baby’s mewling. You could do the same with a single regulator note, perhaps. Howe’s 1000 Jigs and Reels (published in the 1870s) has a tune “Ma, Ma, Ma” with instructions to use a key in the same fashion, for the same end.

Rowsome shook the chanter on the C# and F# notes in the 2nd part, perhaps that’s what’s throwing you, Richard. You don’t play them straight to get that sound, you lift up the chanter and immediately set it back down, creating little explosions of staccato. Like so many other things piping it’s easier demonstrated than described. I think Leo’s playing some kind of mordent, too, FAF played lightning fast before the F. You’d have to try various things to figure out precisely what he’s doing.

4

Totally not what you are looking for, but: It might be worth having a listen to Iarla Ó Lionáird’s singing of the song. That made some sense of the structure for me.

Cheers,
KAD