Tonehole

Traditional polka · A Dorian

The Ballydesmond

Also known as Ballydesmond No. 1, The Ballydesmond No. 2, Cock Your Pistol Charlie, Donal De Barra's, The Jib, Manley's.

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ABC notation

X:1
T:The Ballydesmond
R:polka
M:2/4
L:1/8
K:Ador
|:E>A AB|cd e2|G>F GA|GF ED|
E>A AB|cd ef|ge dB|A2 A2:|
|:a2 ab|ag ef|g2 ga|ge de|
ea ab|ag ef|ge dB|A2 A2:|

Copy this into any ABC tool, or open the setting on The Session (transcribed by Jeremy). The Session lists 20 settings of this tune and 2 recordings.

Playing it on a wind instrument

Traditional polkas are dance music — lift and rhythm matter more than speed. Learn the tune slowly by ear first, then add ornaments (cuts, taps, rolls). Clarinet and sax players: use the transposition menu above so the part matches the fiddle and flute players.