Sheet Music: Speed the Plough

TitleSpeed the Plough
Alternate titlesCroghan Hill
The Doon Reel
God Speed the Plow
The Naval Pillar
ComposerTraditional
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyA major
RangeE4–A5
Time signature2/2
Tempo200 BPM
Performance time0:40
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (45 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (325 kB)
Date added2011-05-05
Last updated2011-05-05
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Categories
Celtic Music, Reels, Traditional/Folk

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Thursday 5 May 2011

Tune of the Day: Speed the Plough

Traditional English/Scottish/Irish reel

This reel is extremely widespread in English-speaking traditions, and can be found in the repertories of fiddlers throughout North America, Ireland, Scotland and England. Some say that it was composed in 1799 by John Moorehead of County Armagh, Ireland, a famous violinist who acquired some renown in the latter 18th century. “Speed the Plough” has been attributed to others as well, including English conductor and composer Sir Henry Bishop.

The phrase ‘God speed the plough’ is derived from a wish for success and prosperity in some undertaking, and is many centuries old, occurring as early as the 15th century.