Traditional jig · G major
The Blackthorn Stick
Also known as An Maide Draighin, Catholic Boys, The Coach Road To Sligo, Fire On The Mountains, The Humours Of Bantry, The Mail Coach Road To Sligo.
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ABC notation
X:1 T:The Blackthorn Stick R:jig M:6/8 L:1/8 K:G |:d|gfg ege|dBG AGE|DGG FGA|BGB A2 d| gfg age|dBG AGE|DGG FGA|BGG G2:| |:d|edd gdd|edd gdd|e2 e gfg|edB A2 d| gfg age|dBG AGE|DGG FGA|BGG G2:|
Copy this into any ABC tool, or open the setting on The Session (transcribed by Musicalbison). The Session lists 15 settings of this tune and 3 recordings.
Playing it on a wind instrument
Traditional jigs 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.