Friday 9 May 2025
Tune of the Day: The Black Rogue
Traditional Scottish/Irish jig
The “Black Rogue” title of this melody is derived from an old song (“An Rógaire dubh“ in Irish Gaelic) still sung in Irish to the tune.
That black haired rogue has my socks and my shoes,
And my handkerchief for a year and a day now.
The provenance of the tune is unclear, as it is claimed by both Irish and Scots, but it is widely known throughout Ireland. It has been said to have been composed by Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland musician Johnny McGill, born c. 1707. It was first printed in O'Farrell's Pocket Companion for the Irish or Union Pipes, published in 1804, and was then included three times in the music manuscripts of 19th-century Church of Ireland cleric James Goodman.