Interesting go-round in the Willie Daly’s Pub a few nights ago. We played The Salamanca. I said the full name was The Wild Salamanca. People were surprised.
I said further that the name referred to a pony. Again people were surprised. Anybody else have that information? I can’t remember where or when I got that name, or the reference to a horse, but it must have been well over twenty years ago.
Thanks,
David
Per Merriam-Webster:
Main Entry: Sal·a·man·ca
Pronunciation: "sa-l&-'ma[ng]-k&, "sä-lä-'mä[ng]-kä
Usage: geographical name
1 province W Spain area 4763 square miles (12,336 square kilometers), population 357,801
2 commune, its capital, WNW of Madrid population 162,888
Per The Fiddler’s Companion:
SALAMANCA {REEL} [1] (Seisd/Cor Salamanca). AKA and see “Boyle’s Reel,” "The Coronation Reel,” “The Maigue’s Tide,” “Salamander,” “The Tartan Plaid,” “The Wild Salamanca.” Irish, Scottish, English; Reel or Hornpipe. Ireland, County Donegal. D Major. Standard. AB (Breathnach CRE 2, O’Neill {all versions}): AABB (most versions): AABBCCDD (Breathnach, CRÉ 1). Bayard (1981) says it is “probably no older” than the early 19th century, and, though apparently once‑popular (inferred from the number of printings) it is of unknown origin. Breathnach (1976) gives that the tune is named after Wellington’s victory of the Peninsular Campaign in Spain in 1812 and not for the Irish college (or, for that matter, the famous 19th century racehorse of the same name), however, there reportedly is a seminary in Salamanca, Spain, where many Irish priests have studied. Salamanca lies 107 miles northwest of Madrid, and there Wellington won a spectacular victory over the imperial French forces, commanded by one of Napoleon’s Marshalls, Auguste Marmont, who was wounded in the battle. Wellington promptly marched for Madrid and forced the French puppet King Joseph Bonaparte (the older brother of Napoleon) to flee with his government. The tune was collected, with parts reversed, by Samuel Bayard in southwestern Pa. under the title “Boyle’s Reel.” It is a popular reel in County Donegal, although the 19th century collector and Anglican cleric Goodman claims it is a Connacht reel. Breathnach (1963) says that he heard that it is played as a hornpipe, although he himself never heard it being played so ‘sluggishly’. The title appears in a list of tunes in his repertoire brought by Philip Goodman, the last professional and traditional piper in Farney, Louth, to the Feis Ceoil in Belfast in 1898 (Breathnach, 1997). Sources for notated versions: Tommy Peoples (Ireland) [Phillips]; piper Seamus Ennis, 1959 (Dublin, Ireland) [Breathnach Vol. 2]; piper Tommy Reck/Tomas Riabhach (Ireland) [Breathnach]. Alewine (Maid that Cut Off the Chicken’s Lips), 1987; pg. 30. Allan’s Irish Fiddler, No. 39, pg. 10. Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 146, pg. 58. Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 209, pgs. 108‑109. Cole (1000 Fiddle Tunes), 1940; pg. 6. Giblin (Collection of Traditional Irish Dance Music), 1928; 38. Kennedy (Fiddler’s Tune Book), Vol. 2, 1954; pg. 8. Kerr (Merry Melodies), Vol. 1; No. 26, pg. 45 and Vol. 4, pg. 8. Mallinson (Essential), 1995; No. 8, pg. 3. O’Neill (1915 ed.), 1987; No. 239, pg. 126 (appears as “The Salamanca Reel”). O’Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 123. O’Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1348, pg. 252. O’Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 603, pg. 110. Peoples (Fifty Irish Fiddle Tunes), 1986; 28. Phillips (Fiddlecase Tunebook), 1989; pg. 42. Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 165. Robbins, 1933; No. 142. Roche Collection, 1982, Vol. 1; No. 134, pg. 54. Ryan’s Mammoth Collection, 1883; pg. 29. Vallely (Learn to Play the Fiddle with Armagh Pipers Club), 197?; No. 47, pg. 42. Claddagh Atlantic 832812, Tommy Reck (originally recorded 1971). Comhaltas Ceoltoiri CL13, Tommy Peoples. Green Linnet SIF‑1110, Seamus Connolly & Brendan Mulvihill ‑ “My Love is in America: The Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival” (1991). Kicking Mule KM216, Arm and Hammer String Band ‑ “New England Contra Dance Music” (1977). Shamrock 1235 (78 RPM), Michael Gallagher (uilleann pipes) {c. 1920’s}.
X:1
T:Salamanca Reel, The
M:C|
L:1/8
R:Reel
S:O’Neill – Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 603
Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion
K: D
dB|A>D (3FED A>D (3FED|Adcd fdcd|B<E (3GFE B>E (3GFE|Beed cdeg|
fddg fdcA|Bdce dfag|fdec dBAG|FGEF D2||fg|afdg bgeg|fdec dcBA|Bdce dfeg|fagb a2 fg|abaf gfeg|fdec dfag|fdec dBAG|FGEF D2||
djm
David,
Did that group like being surprised, or were they doubting you?
I am rather surprised that
…and not astonished.
You know, Andrew Kuntz has really done an astonishing job with the Fiddler’s Companion. It’s an extraordinarily useful resource and he doesn’t get enough recognition for it, IMO.