Traditional reel · D major
The Merry Blacksmith
Also known as An Gaba Meadrac, An Gabha Meidhreach, The Blackened Smith, The Boys Of The Lake, The Corkonian, The Drayman's Round.
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ABC notation
X:1 T:The Merry Blacksmith R:reel M:4/4 L:1/8 K:D |:AB|d2dA BAFA|ABdA BAFA|ABde fded|Beed egfe| d3A BAFA-|ABdA BAFA-|ABde fdec|dBAF D2:| |:fg|a2ag f2fe|d2dA BAFA-|ABde fded|Beed egfg| abag fgfe|dcdA BAFA|ABde fdec|dBAF D2:|
Copy this into any ABC tool, or open the setting on The Session (transcribed by Jeremy). The Session lists 21 settings of this tune and 3 recordings.
Playing it on a wind instrument
Traditional reels 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.