Monday 22 May 2017
Tune of the Day: Tumble the Tinker
Traditional Scottish jig
This tune appears in Chicago police officer Francis O'Neill's collection Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody, published in 1922. O'Neill comments:
An excellent double jig called “Tumble the Tinker” was printed for the first time in the enlarged edition of O'Neill's Irish Music for Piano or Violin, issued in 1915. It was obtained from John McFadden, a clever traditional Irish fiddler of Chicago, who until then had forgotten the tune since last leaving his native Mayo some forty years before. Since its publication as stated, a spirited second finish has been developed. As varied in the present setting, “Tumble the Tinker”, heretofore so little known, is assuredly worthy of preservation, and enhanced publicity.