BB'S MOSTLY GEMS OLD & NEW
AB TUNES
5.26.25
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

%% "40 years of writing this stuff and he's still at it! What a guy!"

%%%
X:12001
T:AFTER the BLIZZARD (jig) 
C:© BB
%
%%R:jig
Q:1/4=160
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:D
A|"D"ded "Bm"BAF|"D"ADD D2 A|"D"ded "A"cBA|"D"FAd "Bm"B2 A|
"D"ded "A"cdc|"Bm"Bcd "A"ABc|"D"dAF "A"EDE|"D"FDD D2 :|
A|"D"dff "G"dcB|"D"Add FED|DFA def|"Bm"baf "A"e2 A|
"D"dff "G"dcB|"D"Add FED|DFA "Em"BGE|"D"FDD D2 :|
%%vskip .5in
%%begintext
I don't recall exactly which blizzard this tune is named for - we don't 
get them all that often on Cape Cod, but when we DO get one, it can be 
an interesting experience for a few days. Fair play to the local authorities - 
they usually get the roads back to almost normal within a day or so (power 
outages maybe not so quickly) . 
%%endtext

X:12002
T:ALICE by the WINDOW (hornpipe) 
C:© BB 2005
Q:1/4=150
L:1/8
M:C|
%%R:hornpipe
K:D
%swing .25
AG|"D" FDFA dcBA|"G" GFGB gfed|"D" FDFA dBgf|"Em" efdB "A" A2 AG|
"D" FDFA dcBA|"G"GFGB gfeg|"D" fdAF "G"GBAG|"D" F2 D2 D2 :|
FG|"D" Adcd fdfa|"Em" bgeg "D" fedc|"G" Bggf gfef|"A7" gecB A2 FG|
"D" Adcd fdfa|"Em" bgeg "Bm" fdcB|"D" Adcd "A7"eage| "D" f2 d2 d2 :|
%%vskip 30
%%begintext
This was an 80th birthday tune for the 'grande dame' of traditional music 
on Cape Cod, Alice van Buren. "By the window" refers to the fact that that's 
where she liked to sit playing her mandolin during sessions. After a long 
battle with dementia, Alice passed away in 2015. 
%%endtext

X:12003
%%textfont 15
T:ANDREA'S HORNPIPE 
C:© BB 2007
Q:1/4=150
L:1/8
M:C|
%%R:hornpipe
K:A
%swing .25
E|"A"A2 (3cBA eAcB|"A"ABcd "F#m"efec|"A"A2 (3cBA eAcA|"G"B=GEF GABG|
"A"A2 (3cBA eAcB|"A"ABcd "E" efge|"A" a2 ed cdec| "E" BecB "A"A3 :|
e|"A" aece "Bm" fdBd|"A" ecAc "E7" dBGE|"A" Ac "E"Bd "A"ce "D"df|"G" =gedg e3e|
"A" aece "Bm" fdBd|"A" ecAc "E7" dBGE|"A" Acea "E7" bged|"A"ce"E"dB "A"A3 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
This tune was composed as a raffle prize and a nice lady named Andrea was the 
winner. I don't recall how much we raised or even who the beneficiary was, but I 
hope the winner enjoyed her tune! 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12004
T:ANDY BROOKS' Reel
C:© BB
M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=180
%%R:reel
K:Dm
DE|"Dm"FDAD FDAD|FGAd "C"cAGE|"Dm"FDAD "F"FAcA|"Dm"dfed "C"cBAG|
"Dm"FDAD FDAD|FGAd "C"c=BcA|"Dm"FEDA dcAG|"Am"EA,CE "Dm"D2 :|
K:D
DE|"D"FDAD BDAD|"Bm"B2 dB fedB|"D"Addc defg|"Bm"afbf "A"a2 ag|
"D"faaf "G"gfed|"Bm"BdcB "A"AFEG|"D"FDAD "Bm"BDAD|"A"AecA "D"d2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
This is an early tune that goes back to the golden days of IRTRAD, the Irish 
traditional mailing list that was a really lively spot for many years before 
"social media" came along. Andy was the son of Jann Brooks, a fine singer 
who was living in Canada when last I heard. 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12352
T:ANGEL at the GIG (reel), The 
T:Tune 3 of "Tracy's Trilogy"
C:© BB 10/21
M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=180
%%R:reel
K:G
A|"G"B3c "D"dBAF | "Em"E3 F GFGE | "G"D2GB "A"AB^cA | "D"d3e fdef|
"G"g3f "C"efge| "G"d3e "D"dcBA | "Em"B2GB "D"AFED |1"G"G4-GFG :|2 "G"G4-GB,C||
|:D|"Em"E3D EFGA|"G"B3c dcBd|"C"e3f "C"gfed|"Em"B4- Bdef   |
"G"gbbg "D"fgaf|"Em"edB2-BcBA|"C"GEEG "Bm"ABAF  |1"G"G4-GB,C:|2"G"G4z4|]
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Tracy passed away peacefully at home while our trad group "Cat's Melodeon" 
were performing onstage at a local festival. The title reflects the feeling that 
we all had when we heard the news - that we did indeed have "an angel at 
our gig"!
%%endtext

%%%
X:12349
%irish_rolls_on
T:ANNE & ALAN'S HORNPIPE
C:© BB 2/21
M:C
%%R:hornpipe
Q:1/4=150
K:D
%swing .25
z|"D" dcdA "G"BAGB|"D"AFAB "A"AGFE|\
"D"DFAF "G"GBdB | "F#m" Acef "A7" gece|
"Bm" dBcd "A"cA~A2 | "G"BG~G2 "A" (3ABA (3GFE|\
"D" DFAd "Em" Begb | "A" aAce "D" d3:|
z|"D" fddf "A" ecce| "Bm" dcBA FB~B2 |\
"F#m"AFAc "Bm" dfab | "D" af "Em" ge "D" fd "A" ec|
"D" defd "A" ceec | "G" BGAB "A"AGFE |\
"D" DFAd "Em" Begb | "A" aAce "D" d3:|
%%vskip 30
%%begintext
This "family tune" is for our nephew Alan and his partner Anne, both proud 
Dubliners who did a great job of keeping an eye on the older folks during the 
pandemic. 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12005
%irish_rolls_on
T:ANNE DERRANE'S (reel) 
C:© BB
L:1/8
M:4/4
%%R:reel
Q:1/4=180
K:G
ef|"G"g2 fg "Em" edBe|"G"dedB "Am"AGEC|"G"B,DGA "Em"BedB|"Am"AGEG "D"Adef|
"G"g2 fg "Em" edBe|"G"dedB "Am"AGEC|"G"B,DGF "Am"EAcA|"D"FGAF "G"G2 :|
ef|"G"gd ~d2 "D"ad ~d2|"Em"bgeg "G"dB ~B2|"Am"cBAc "G"Bdgb|"A"age^c "D"d2 ef|
"G"gd ~d2 "D"ad ~d2|"Em"bgeg "G"dB ~B2|"Am"cBAG "D"FGAc|"G"BG "D"AF "G"G2 :|
%%vskip 30
%%begintext
It used to be well known in traditional circles that the virtuoso box player Joe 
Derrane had died some time in the 1960s or 1970s. I thought so too until my wife 
and I sat at the same table with a very much alive Joe and his wife Anne at a 
wedding in 1990! Unfortunately both Joe and Anne are gone now - Anne first, 
then Joe in July 2016. 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12006
T:ARDFINNAN BRIDGE [reel]  
C:© BB
L:1/8
M:4/4
%%R:reel
K:Bm
F|"Bm"B2 FB DBFA|"F#m"cdef "A"ecAc|"Bm"B2 FB DBFA|"D"dcBA "F#m"FAcA|
"Bm"B2 FB DBFA|"F#m"cdef "A"ecAc|"Bm"Bd ~F2 "F#m"EFAc|"Bm"BdAF B3:|
A|"D"dF ~F2 defa|"G"b2 gb "F#m"afec|"Bm"B2 dB fBdB|"A"A2 cA eAcA|
"Bm"FB ~B2 "A"EA ~A2|"D"FAde "F#m"fecA|"Bm"B2 FB AFEF|"D"DF"A"EC "Bm"B,3:|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Ardfinnan is a pleasant little town in Tipperary. The bridge crosses the River Suir 
and is the "old rustic bridge by the mill" that the song commemorates. 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12007
T:ARNOLD'S DUCK (jig)  
C:© BB
%%R:jig
Q:1/4=160
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:D
A|"D"d2F AFE|"Bm"DFB AFE|"D"dcd FAd|"Bm"BAF "A"E2 A|
"D"d2F AFE|"Bm"DEF ABA|"D"dfa "G"gfe|"Bm"dBB "Bm"B2 :|
A|"Bm"BFF "A"cAA|"D"dcd "Em"efe|"Bm"fBB "G"gBB|"A"afe cBA|
"Bm"BFF "A"cAA|"D"dcd "Em"efg|"D"faf "A"ece|"Bm"dBB "Bm"B2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Many of the older residents of our strange little town know the real story of 
Arnold's Duck, but none of them will ever speak of it to outsiders - especially 
if they look like musicians . . . 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12008
T:BALLYBAY TAILOR (jig) 
C:© BB
Q:1/4=160
L:1/8
M:6/8
%%R:jig
K:G
D|"G"DGB "D"ABA|"G"GBd "Em"e2f|"G"gfg "C"edc|"G"BdB "D7"cAF|
"G"DGB "D"ABA|"G"GBd "Em"efg|"Am"age "D"dBA|"G"G3 G2 :|
e|"Em"gfe "D"dfa|"G"gfg "Am"a^ga|"Em"b2g "D"afd|"C"ece "D"dBA|
"G"DGB "D"ABA|"G"GBd "C"e2f|"G"gdB "D"AFD|"G"G3 G2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
A thank you for Peadar Murnane, at the time the "unofficial" town historian 
who was kind enough to assist me in locating my "roots" (which turned out
not to be in Ballybay anyway!)
%%endtext

%%%
X:12009
T:BALLYCONEELY Jig, The
C:© BB 2005
L:1/8
M:6/8
%%R:jig	
K:A
A|"A" cBc "Bm" BAB|"A" cBA "D" FEF|"A" Ace "D" faf|"A" ecA "E7" B2d|
"A" cBc "Bm" BAB|"A" cBA "F#m" FEF|"D" DFA "E" EGB|"A" cAA A2 :|
B| "A" Ace aba|"D" fga "A" ecA|"Bm" Bcd "E"efg|"A" aec "E"B2d|
"A" cea aec|"Bm" BAB "F#m" cAF|"D" DFA "E" EGB|"A" cAA A2 :|
%%vskip .3in
%%begintext
Ballyconeely is a village way out in Connemara, about as far west in Ireland 
as you can get!
%%endtext

%%%
X:12010
%irish_rolls_on
T:BALTRASNA Reel, The 
C:© BB
%%staffsep 60
%%printtempo 0
L:1/8
M:4/4
%R:reel
K:D
dB|"D"AF ~F2 "Em" EB, ~B,2|"D"A,DFA "Bm"BAFE|"D"AF ~F2 "Em" EB, ~B,2|\
"D"A,DFD "A"E2 dB|
"D"AF ~F2 "Em" EB, ~B,2|"D"A,DFA "Bm"BcdB|"D"AFDF "A7"GECE|"D"DF"A"EC "D"D2 :|
GA|"Bm"BF ~F2 "G"GBdg|"A"eage "D"fd ~d2|"Bm"BF ~F2 "G"GBdg|"A"ecAc "D"d2 FA|
"Bm"BF ~F2 "G"GBdg|"A"eage "Bm"fB ~B2|"G"dBBG "Bm"FAdB|"A7"AGEC "D"D2 :|
%%vskip .3in
%%begintext
Dedicated to fiddler and long-time traditional music supporter Tony Smith and
his family. 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12340
%%textfont 15
T:BANAGHER BRIDGE (jig), The 
T:Tune 3 of the "Tribute to Martin Mulhaire" (1936-2020)
C:© B.Black 10/20
%R:jig
M:6/8
K:D
D|"D"FED "G" GFE | "D" AFA "Bm" Bcd |\
"Em" egf "A" ece | "D" dAF "A7" GFE |
"D" FGA "G" GAB | "A" Ace "D" dfa |\
"Em" bge "D" afd | "A" cBA "D" d2 :| 
e| "Bm"fdB fdB | "A" ecA ecA |\
"Bm" fdB "A" cde | "D" fdc "G" B2G|
"D"FED "G" GFE | "D" AFA "Bm" Bcd |\
"Em"efg "D" aba | "A7" gfe "D" d2 :|
%%vskip .3in
%%begintext
Banagher Bridge is a landmark some 8 miles from Martin's home town of 
Eyrecourt. It crosses the Shannon River between Counties Galway and Offaly. 
"The present bridge, constructed between 1841 and 1843 has six masonry arches." 
(< Wikipedia) 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12011
%%textfont 15
T:BARKING SEAL (jig), The
C:© BB
Q:1/4=160
L:1/8
M:6/8
%%R:jig
K:G
D|"G"DGB AGB|"Am7"AGB AGE|"G"DGB "D"ABd|"Em"edB "D"A3|
"G"DGB AGB|"Am7"AGB AGE|"G"DEG DB,C|"D"DGF "G"G2 :|
d|"Em"edg edg|"C"edc "G"BAG|"Em"edg "C"edc|"G"BdB "D"A2d|
"Em"edg edg|"C"edc "G"BAG|"Am"ABc "D7"dcB|"D"AFA "G"G2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
There's an aquarium nearby where a couple of noisy seals ("Bumper" and "Luseal") 
used to live. When they wanted to be fed, you could hear the carry-on half a mile 
away. They always drew a big crowd around feeding time and they really seemed 
to love the attention! Sadly both creatures have crossed the Rainbow Bridge to 
Seal Heaven (= lots of tasty fish and other seals to play with).
%%endtext

%%%\
X:12012
T:BASS RIVER HORNPIPE, The
C:© BB
%%R:hornpipe
Q:1/4=150
M:C|
L:1/8
K:D
A|"D"dcdA "D"(3Bcd AF|"G"GFGB "Bm"AFDB,|"D"A,DFA "D"dcdA|"Bm"(3Bcd AF "A"E3 A|
"D"dfec "D"dAFA|"G"GBAF "Em"EDB,E|"D"DF ~F2 "A"EAce|"D"dBAF D3 :|
A|"D"fdfa "G"gB ~B2|"A"cBce "D"dF ~F2|"G"GB"A"Ac "G"Bd"A"ce|"D"dfaf "A"e3 g|
"D"fdfa "G"gB ~B2|"A"cBce "D"dF ~F2|"G"GB~B2 "A"Acec|"D"dBAF D3 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
This tune started life as "The Bubbling Stream", then became "The Kingfisher" 
- both of which titles, as I found out subsequently, had already been used. I 
finally gave it the present name after one of our local watercourses (after
checking TuneFinder to make sure this name too hadn't been used before!)
%%endtext

%%%
X:12013
T:BATTLING JERRY (jig) 
C:© BB 2007
Q:1/4=160
M:6/8
L:1/8
%%R:jig
K:G
D|"G"GFG "D"ABA| "G"GFE "D"DAB|"C"cBc edc|"G"BcB "D"A2D|
"G"GFG "D"ABA| "G"Bdg "Am"ecA|"Em"BGE "D"DFA|"G"BGF "G"G2 :|
e|"G"ged "D"agf|"G"gab d2B|"C"cde "Am"a^ga|"D"fdd d2e|
"G"gfg "D"aba|"Em"gfe "G"d^cd|"C"efg "D7"a^ga|"G"bgg g2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
This tune was composed for fiddler Jerry Holland, a battler indeed as he 
struggled against cancer. He lost the battle in July 2009 but his legacy lives 
on in many ways. I had the privilege of playing backup for him at a pub 
concert on the Cape a couple years before he died. I had never played with 
him, or even met him for that matter, and due to traffic he arrived just 
before the show so we never got a chance to practice together. But the 
show went off without a hitch (I'm still not sure how!)
%%endtext

X:12014
T:BAWNARD SLIDE, The 
C:© BB 2007
Q:1/4=180
L:1/8
M:12/8
%%R:slide
K:D
D|"Bm" F2B BAB d2B BAB|"G"g2A "D"f2A "A"efe cBA|
"Bm" F2B BAB d2B BAG|"D" F2A "A"G2E "D"D3-D2 :|
D|"D" FEF d2F "G"GFG d2D|"D" FEF d2f "A" efe cBA|
"D" FEF d2F "G"GFG d2e|"D"fed "A7"c2e "D"d3-d2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Bawnard is a little town in Kerry near the southern edge of the Sliabh 
Luachra area. There don't seem to be any other tunes named for it, so 
maybe this is the first! 
%%endtext
%%%

%%%%%
X:12335
T:BEACH AVENUE RAMBLE (hornpipe), The
C:© B.Black 6/20
Q:1/4=150
%R:hornpipe
M:C
K:G
%swing .25
EF|"G"GFGA "Em"BEED|"G"GFGA BGBd|"Am"cA"G"BG "Am"AG"C"EG|"Am"(3ABA (3GFE "D"(3DFA (3dAF|
"G"GFGA "Em"BEED|"G"GFGA BGBc|"G"(3dcB gB "A"(3e^cA ag|"D7"fdcA "G"G2:|  
Bd|"Em"eBBA "G"GFED|"C"GFED "Em"B,EE2|"Em"eBdB "Am"ABGA|"G"BAGF "Em"E2Bd|
"Em"eBBA "G"GFED|G"C"FED "Em"B,EE2|G"G"ABd "A"^caeg|"D7"(3fed (3cBA "G"G2:|
%%vskip .3in
%%begintext
Beach Avenue is a street in the Bronx which is notable for not much in particular, 
except for the fact that my wife Pat once lived there. As if that's not exciting 
enough, box player Luke O'Malley did too. Although they were totally unknown 
to one another, the coincidence is . . . well, coincidental. But still - isn't it a small 
world? (Insert cliché emoji here.)
%%endtext

%%%
X:12015
%irish_rolls_on
T:BEACH HOUSE (reel), The
C:© BB 2014
%R:reel
Q:1/4=180
M:C
K:Ador
d|"Am"eABA eaab|"Am"eABA "D"defg|"Am"eA (3cBA eaaf|"G"gfge dBGB|
"Am"eABA eaab|"Am"eABA "G"GFEG|"Am"Aege "G"dBcB|"Am"Ac"Em"GE "Am"A3:|
d|"Am"ea~a2 ABce|"G"dg~g2 GABd|"Am"ea~a2 "Em"baef|"G"gedB GBdg|
"Am"ea~a2 ABce|"G"dg~g2 GABd|"C"cBcd "Em"edef|"G"gbag "Am"eAA:|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Named for a Cape Cod venue where our "Cat's Melodeon" group had some nice 
sessions a few years back. It has changed hands recently and it's now an Italian 
restaurant ("Bucatino's") that seems to be doing well. 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12016
%irish_rolls_on
T:BEAL BOCHT (reel), An
T:The Poor Mouth
C:© BB
%%R:reel
Q:1/4=180
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:Em
D|"Em"E3 B "G"GFGA|"Bm"BABd "Em"e3f|"G"gefd "Em"efdB|"Am"AcBA "G"GB"D"AF|
"Em"E3 B "G"GFGA|"Bm"BABd "Em"e3f|"G"gbge "Bm"fdBc|"D"dBAF "Em"GEE :|
d|"Em"edBe "G"gfeg|"D"fedf a2^ga|"Em"b2ge b2ge|"Am"AcBA "Em"GE ~E2|
"Em"edBA "G"GBdg|"D"fedf a2^ga|"Bm"bagf "Em"egfe|"D"dBAF "Em"GEE :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
A tribute to the great writer Flann O'Brien, to my thinking one of the funniest 
men ever to put pen to paper. The name "Poor Mouth" refers to Mr. O'Brien's 
wonderful parody of the 1930's Irish "native speaker" novels much admired 
(for the wrong reasons, according to O'Brien) by the "glitterati" of the time.
%%endtext

%%%
X:12017
%%textfont 15
T:BEANS in the POT (polka) 
C:© BB
%R:polka
M:2/4
Q:1/4=140
L:1/8
K:D
"D"dA A>c|"Bm"d>e fe|"D"dA dA|"A"FE E2|
"D"dA A>c|"G"d>e fg|"D"a>f "G"dB|"Bm"BA "A"A2|
"D"dA A>c|"Bm"d>e fe|"D"dA dA|"A"FE Ec|
"G"dG AG|"D"Fd "G"BG|"D"F>G AF|"A"EC "D"D2||
|:"Bm"f>d fb|"A"a>g fe|"Bm"fa ba|"A"fe a2|
"Em"b>g eg|"Bm"a>f dB|"F#m"cd ef|"Bm"dc B2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
This tune was originally intended to fill what I perceived as the trad repertoire's 
crying need for a polka in the key of C. Problem is that I never liked it in that
key so I present it here (with a few amendments) in D. 
%%endtext

X:12018
%irish_rolls_on
T:BEARS of BAFFIN (hornpipe), The
T:Tune 3 of "The Baffin Island Suite"
C:© BB 2009
Q:1/4=150
M:4/4
L:1/8
%R:hornpipe
K:Em
F|"Em"EFGA BEGE|"D"DEFG ABAF|"Em"EFGA "Bm"BABd|"Em"edBd "C"e3f|
"Em"gfed edBd|"Am"cBAG "D"FGAF|"Em"EFGA BedB|"D"AGFD "Em"E3 :|
B|"Em" efge bage|"D"defd agfd|"Em"efgb "Am"ceag|"D"(3fgf df "Em" e3f|
"G"ge ~e2 Bege|"D"fd ~d2 Adfa|"Em"gebe "D"fdad|"Em"edBd "Em"e3 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Everybody loves polar bears - who wouldn't love a creature so big and furry
and white who could kill you with one swipe of his or her enormous paw? 
But hey - the cubs are adorable, right? Just don't mess with them while Mom 
is around. . .
%%endtext


X:12019
T:BEAUTIES of BROCKTON (jig), The  
C:© BB 2007
Q:1/4=160
M:6/8
L:1/8
%%R:jig
K:Dmix
F| "D"Ade fed|"D"AFA DFG|"D"Ade fed|"C"cBc GEC|
"D" DFA def|"D" a^ga "G" =g2e|"D"fed "A7"^cAG|"D" FDD "D"D2 :|
A|"D"def a2^g| "D"aba fed|"C"cBc e2f|"C"gfg ecG|
"D"Ade fef|"A7"age efg|"D"afd "A"^cde|"D"fdd "D"d2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Brockton is a blue-collar town southwest of Boston, once a thriving 
manufacturing and mill town but now not much of anything. Its two 
famous native sons are the champion boxer Rocky Marciano and the 
late great fiddler Jerry Holland. I should point out that a branch of the 
musical Reynolds clan lives there too, which is definitely a point in 
Brockton's favor.
%%endtext

X:12020
T:BEST OF THE BANNER (reel)
C:© BB 2008
Q:1/4=180
L:1/8
M:4/4
%R:reel
K:Em
D|"Em" EDEF "C"GFGA|"G"BedB "Em"edBA|"C"GFGA "Em"Bdef|"G"gfed "Bm"B3D|
"Em"EDEF "C"GFGA|"G"Bdeg "Bm"fdBd|"Em"e2 ge bged|"Bm"Bdef "Em"e3 :|
g|"G"bggb "Am"a^gaf|"Em" efge "Bm" fdBd|"Em"e2ge "Am"a2ba|"G"gBde "Bm"f3a|
"G"bggb "Am"a^gaf|"Em"eBdB "D"AGFA|"G"BDGB "Bm" ABdf|"Em" eg"D"fd "Em"e3 :|
%%vskip .3in
%%begintext
%%Dedicated to the memory of Mary Keating and Nora Flanagan, both fine ladies 
from the "Banner County" of Clare, whose families have done so much for the 
tradition in the New York area.
%%endtext
%%%

%%%
X:12021
%%textfont 15
T:BETTY ANN DALY'S (jig)
C:© BB
%%R:jig
Q:1/4=160
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:G
D|"G"GFG "D"Adc|"Em"BEE EDB,|"G"DGB "Am"ABc|"Em"edB e2 f|
"C"gfe "D"dBA|"Bm"BAF "Em"GED|"C"CEG "D"Fdc|"G"BGF G2 :|
A|"G"BdB "C"cec|"D"dfa "G"gdB|"Em"efg dBG|"Am"AGA "Em"B2E|
"G"Bcd "C"cde|"D"def "G"gab|"D"afd "C"gec|"D"dAF "G"G2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Named for a good friend, fine lady, and the mother of several excellent musicians. 
She and her family were among the first people to welcome us to Falmouth when 
we relocated there from New York around 1980.
%%endtext

%%%
X:12022
T:BEV & the REAPER (hornpipe) 
C:© BB 2007
Q:1/4=150
M:C
L:1/8
%R:hornpipe
K:D
%swing .25
(3ABc|"D"dfed "A"cedc|"G"BGBd "A7"cAGE|"D"DEFA "G"BGFG| "D"AdAF "A"E2 Bc|
"D"dfed "A"cedc|"G"BGBd "A7"cAGE|"D"DFAF "G"GBAG|"D"FD "A"EC "D"D2 :|
DE|"Bm"Fdcd "A"EcBc|"G"DBGB "A"CEAG|"D"FDFA "Em7"Bdeg|"D"fagf "A7"e2 AG|
"Bm"Fdcd "G"Gdcd|"D"Adcd "G"Bdgb|"D"afdc "Em"Begd|"A"cdec "D"d2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
A few (?) years back a fellow musician had a serious medical issue. Fortunately 
she came through the experience in one piece!
%%endtext


%%%
X:12023
T:BIG * DEAL (polka)
C:© BB
M:2/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=140
%%R:polka
K:G
"G"B>A GA|"Em"Be "D"dA|"G"B>A GD|"C"EG "D"A2|
"G"B>A GA|"Em"Bg ed|"G" Bc/d/ "Am"cA|"G"BG G2 :|
"G"g>e de|"Em"gb "D"af|"G"g>e dg|"C"eg "D"a2|
"G"g>e de|"Em"gb "D"af|"G"gd "Am"cA|"G"BG GB|
"G"g>e de|"Em"gb "D"af|"G"g>e dg|"C"eg "D"a2|
"G"bg "D"af|"Em"ef/g/ dB|"Am"Ac BA|"G"BG G2|]
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
Composed in January 2000, after we had miraculously lived through the Y2K 
hoo-hah (remember that?)  The * stands for whatever your favorite disparaging 
adjective might be. (I know what MY personal choice would be, but this tune 
collection is meant for family use).
%%endtext

%%%
X:12024
%%textfont 15
T:BIG THREE-FOUR (waltz), The 
C:© BB 10/03
L:1/8
M:3/4
%%R:waltz
Q:1/4=160
K:D
FE|"D" D2 F2 G2|"A"A3-ABc|"D" d2 f2 g2|"Em" e3 d e2|
"Bm" f2 d2 B2|"G" g3 a b2|"D" ag f2 d2|"A" e4 fe|
"Bm" d2 B2 F2|"Em" E3 G B2|"A" A3 c e2|"Bm" f4 ef|
"G" g2 B2 d2|"D" f2 A3 d|"A" e2 cB A2|"D" d4 :|
AB|"F#m" c2 BA F2|"D" d2 cB A2|"A" e2 cB A2|"D" f4 "E7"^g2|
"A" a3 e c2|"Bm" B3 A F2|"F#m" c2 fe cA|"E"B3 A B2|
"F#m" c2 BA F2|"D" d2 cB A2|"A" e2 cB ce|"D" f4 "E"^g2|
"A" a3 c e2|"Bm" f2 d2 B2|"E"^G3 E B2|1"A" A4 :|\
[2 [I:MIDI gchordoff][Acea]6|]
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
A three-four tune for a 34th wedding anniversary - cute, huh? (With all my love 
to Mrs. Black - here's hoping for 34 more!) Update: 55 (or LV as the NFL would 
put it) as of September 2024. Still as madly in love as a couple of senior citizens 
can be. (But I'm not gonna rename the tune.)
%%endtext

%%%
X:12336
%%textfont 15
T:BIG WHITE BOAT (slide), The
C:© B.Black 6/20
Q:1/4=180
M:12/8
%%R:slide
K:D
A|"D"dcB AFE "Bm"F2B B2A|"Bm"FBB dBB "D"def "A"ecA|
"D"dcB AFE "Bm"F2B Bcd|"D"ABA "A7"GFE "D"D3-D2 :|   
A|"Bm"dBd "A"cAc "G"BGB "D"A3|"G"BAG "A"A3 "G"BAG "A"A3|
"Bm"dBd "A"cAc "G"BGB "A"A2E|"Bm"FAB "A"AGE "D"D3-D2 :|
%%vskip .3in
%%begintext
Dedicated to the crew and shore staff of the ferry "Island Queen", which does 
summer runs between Falmouth on Cape Cod and Oak Bluffs on Martha's 
Vineyard. "IQ" has been my summer employer for the past 12 years! (In case 
you're interested - and why wouldn't you be? - I serve as a "vehicle placement 
counsellor", i.e. parking lot attendant.)
%%endtext

%%%
X:12025
T:BILL FLYNN'S (jig) 
C:© BB 2011
M:6/8
%%R:jig
Q:1/4=160
K:G
A|"G"BGG dBd|"C"ece "D"d2c|"Em"BGE GAB|"Am" AGE "D"D2c|
"G"BGG dBd|"A"ed^c "D"def|"G"gdB "Am" ABc|"G" BGF G2 :|
A|"G"Bdg "D7"fdc|"G"BdB "D7"cBA|"G"Bcd "C" efg|"D"afe d2f|
"G" ged Bcd|"Am" edc "D"ABc|"G"BAB "C"cBc|"D" dAF "G"G2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Bill was a local entertainer and friend of the tradition who passed away in 
November 2011 after a long illness. RIP. 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12026
%irish_rolls_on
%%textfont 15
T:BILL GLEESON'S (reel)
T:The Wooden Wedding
C:© BB 2009
M:C
Q:1/4=180
L:1/8
%%R:reel
K:G
A| "G"BGFG D2 de|"D7"fdcA "G"BG ~G2| "F"A=FFE F3G| "F"A=FcF "Dm7"dcAc|
"G"BAGB "C"cGEc|"G"d^cde "D7"fd=cA|"G"BcdB "F"cA=FE| "G"DGGF G3 :|
B|"G"dggf gdBd|"G"gfga "Em"bged|"F"c=ffe fdcA|"F"c=ffe fgaf|
"G" dggf gdBd|"G"gfga bgdB|"C"cdeg "D"fgaf| "G"gb"D"af "G"g3 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
Bill Gleeson, to whose memory this tune is dedicated, passed away in September 2009. 
Bill was a kind and intelligent man capable of discussing any number of Irish topics. 
His public claim to fame was his recitation at sessions of a piece called "Clancy's 
Wooden Wedding". Delivered in Bill's gravelly voice, it never failed to bring the 
house down! 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12027
T:BILL McEVOY'S FANCY (hornpipe) 
C:© BB
%%R:hornpipe
Q:1/4=150
M:C
L:1/8
K:D
%swing .25
de|"D"f2 ed A2 AB|"A"cA"G"BG "Em"EF"D"DE|"D"FAde fede|fagf "A"e2 de|
"D"faef "G"dcBc|"Bm"dBAF "Em"EFDE|"D"FABA "Bm"FDB,D|"D"FA"A"GE "D"D2 :|
DF|"D"ADFA d2 cd|"A"eAce "Bm"f2 fg|"D"af"Em"ge "Bm"fdcd|"Em"edcB "A"A2 FG|
"D"ADFA d2 cd|"A"eAce "Bm"f2 fg|"Bm7"abaf "G"gdBd|"A"ceAc "D"d2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
Bill McEvoy (RIP 2020) was well known to anyone involved with traditional 
music in the US. He received many honors and accolades for his efforts on 
behalf of the music over the years, and I'd like to add this tune to the list! 
%%endtext


%%%
X:12028
%irih_rolls_on
T:BITTERSWEET (reel), The
C:© BB
%
%R:reel
Q:1/4=180
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:D
A|"D"D2 FA "Bm"Bdef|"D"afef "Bm"dcBA|"G"BGBd "D"AFAd|"C"=cBAG E=CEG|
"D"D2 FA "Bm"Bdef|"A"afge "D"fdfa|"G"bagb "D"afed|"A"Acec "D"d3 :|
B|"C"=cG~G2 "D"dA~A2|"C"e=ceg "Am"afge|"D"d2AB "C"=cBAG|"D"FGAB"C"=c2 AB|
"Am7"=cBAc "D"d^cdf|"Am"abag "D"fgfd|"C"=cBAG EF~G2| "D"AF"A7"GE "D"D3 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
Bittersweet is a vine which puts out bright red and yellow leaves and berries in the 
Fall. It belongs to the Celastraceae family (as if you didn't already know that!) You 
see it everywhere - it's certainly pretty but (scary chord please) it has a sinister side - 
besides being poisonous, it can choke its host tree to death! (Insert 'eeewww' here.) 
Botanists refer to it as an "invasive species", meaning it came from elsewhere and 
settled here (which describes about 85% of the local human inhabitants of Cape 
Cod as well, but at least most of us don't go around choking trees) . 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12029
%%textfont 15
%irish_rolls_on
T:BLACK ROAD to LOUGHREA (reel), The
C:© BB 
%
%%R:reel
M:4/4
Q:1/4=180
L:1/8
K:Dm
"Dm"A,DGF DdcA|"Am"aged cAGF|"Dm"A,DGF DdcA|"Am"aged "Dm"cd ~d2|
"Dm"A,DGF DdcA|"Am"aged cAGA|"Dm"defe dcAd|"Am"cAGE "Dm"D4 :|
"F"a3 g f3 e|"Dm"dedc Adde|"F"f2 ed "C"cAGc|"Am"Acde "Dm"fdde|
"F"af~f2 "C"ge ~e2|"Dm"dedc Adde|"F"f2 ed "C"cAGA|"Am"cAGE "Dm"D4 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
A salute to the musicians of East Galway and their great D minor tunes. The 
name refers to the road that crosses the mountains between Ballinakill and 
Loughrea - as lonely a stretch of road as I've ever driven on. That was years 
ago - even in these days of ubiquitous smartphones, Onstar, etc., you certainly 
wouldn't want to get a flat tire up there! 
%%endtext



%%%
X:12030
T:BLACKSTONE VALLEY Hornpipe, The
C:© BB 2006
%
%S:BBMG
%%R:hornpipe
M:4/4
Q:1/4=150
L:1/8
K:G
%swing .25
GA|"G"BABe dcBA|"G"GABG "Am"AGEF|"G"GBdB gfed|"C"ce"G"Bd "D"A2 GA|
"G"BABe dcBA|"G"GABG "D7"FEDC|"G"B,DGB "C"CEGc|"D"(3ABA FA "G"G2 :|
EF| "Em"GFEG BGEF|"C"GFGA "D"BdAF|"Em"GFED "G"B,DGB|"D"ABGF "Em"E2 ga|
"G"bgfg "Em"edBd|"Am7"ecAG "D"FA (3DEF|"G"GB (3BAB "C"cedc|\
"D"(3ABA FA "G"G2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
For Bob, Russell, and the other folks who have worked so hard over the years to 
keep the BV Festival alive!
%%endtext

%%%
X:12333
T:BOATLOAD of HERRING (reel), A 
C:© BB Feb. 2020
%
M:C
Q:1/4=180
%R:reel
K:D 
A|"D"D2dB "A"c3B|"D"ABAF "G"GFE2|"D"FAdf "A"ecAc|"G"dBGB "A"AFGE|
"D"D2dB "A"c3B|"D"ABAF "G"GFE2|"D"FABA "G"GBdg|"D"fd"A"ec "D"d3 :|
d|"Em"efed "A"cAAc|"G"BdBG "D"AFFE|"D"DFAd "A"ecAc|"G"dedB "A"A3d|
"Em"efed "A"cAAc|"G"BdBG "D"AFFE|"Bm"FABA "G"GBdg|"D"fd"A"ec "D"d3:|
%%vskip .3in
%%textoption 1
%%begintext
For fiddler Tessie Stokinger and her granddad (and Northeast Ceili Band 
charter member) Pat Reynolds, who works as a fish-truck driver (or a
"marine provision specialist", as we would call him at the Island Queen).
%%endtext

%%%
X:12345
T:BOX in the BASEMENT, The 
T:Lucky Mike's
C:© BB 2/21
Q:1/4=160
%%printtempo 0
M:6/8
%Q:1/4=160
%R:jig
K:G
A|"G"BAB dcB|"G"GAB "C"GFE|"G"DB,D GFG|"Bm"Bcd "C"efg|
"D" def "C" gfe | "G" dBd "Am"cBA|"G"GAB "Am"AGE | "D"DEF "G" G2 :|
A|"Em" B2G EFG | "G"BGB "D" AFA |"Em" BAG "Am" cBA | "Bm" def "Em" e2f |
"C" gfe "G" dBd | "Em" edB "D"AGF |"Em" EGB "D7" FAc | "Em" BGF E2 :|
%%vskip .3in
%%textoption 1
%%begintext
%%Most musicians that I know have had a beautiful dream in which they come 
across an instrument of incredible value, or a collection of rare and wonderful 
instruments (in top condition, of course) (this is also known as "The Banjo 
Player's Fantasy" but it could apply to anyone). Well, it actually happened to 
Mike the box player when one of his relatives found such a gem in her 
basement. "Lucky Mike" still can't believe it happened!
%%endtext

%%%
X:12031
%irish_rolls_on
T:BOY GENIUS (reel), The 
C:© BB
%%R:reel
%
Q:1/4=180
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:G
D|"G"GFED "Am"EGAc|"G"BAGF GABd|"G"gede "F"=fc ~c2|"Bb"_BAGB "Dm"AG=FD|
"G"GFED "Am"EGAc|"G"BAGF GABd|"G"gabg "Am"afge|"D"dcAF "G"G3 :|
A|"G"dega b2de|"F"=fafe dfdc|"G"=B3d "Am"c3A|"G"=Bcde "F"=fefa|
"G"g2 dg Bgdg|"F"=f2 cf AfcA|"G"=BcdB "F"=ce=fd|"D"cAFA "G"G3 :|
%%vskip .30in
%%textoption
%%begintext
The original inspiration for this tune (and a few more in this collection) was the 
movie "Amadeus", probably my all-time favorite. In my not-so-humble opinion, 
every musician should see it (even if you're not crazy about Mozart or classical 
music in general) . 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12032
%%textfont 15
T:BOYS at BOLAND'S MILL (hornpipe), The 
C:© BB
%
%%R:hornpipe
Q:1/4=150
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:G
%swing .25
(3EDC|"G"B,DGB "C"cecA|"G"Bd (3BAG "C"EDCE|"G"DG"D"FA "G"GB"Am"Ac|\
"Em"Be"A"d^c "D"d2 (3EDC|
"G"B,DGB "C"cecA|"G"Bd (3BAG "C"EDCE|"G"DGBG "Am"EcAF|"G"G2 GF G2 :|
(3Bcd|"Em"edBd gdBd|"G"gaba "Em7"gedg|"G"bg"D"af "G"gedg|"A"ed^ce "D"d2(3EDC|
"G"B,DGB "C"cecA|"G"Bd (3BAG "C"EDCE|"G"DGBd "Am"ceag|"D"fdcA "G"G2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
Boland's Mill, formerly Dublin's flour mill and a city landmark for many years, is 
situated in the Ringsend area of Dublin between center city and the bay. One of the 
first battles of the 1916 Easter Uprising was fought there. My wife's grandfather 
was one of the combatants. The mill shut down in 2001, and like many other of 
Dublin's older buildings, the mill complex has been "re-purposed" for mixed 
residential/commercial use.
%%endtext


%%%
X:12033
%%textfont 15
T:BRANT POINT Jig, The
C:© BB 2006
%
Q:1/4=160
L:1/8
M:6/8
%%R:jig
K:D
E|"D"DFA dcd|"D"dfe dAF|"Em"EGB ede|"A7"egf ecA|
"D"DFA dcd|"Em"Bef gfg|"D"afd "G"Bcd|"A"edc "D"d2 :|
A|"Em"Bee gfe|"Bm"fdB "A"ecA|"Em"Bef g2a|"Bm7"baf "A"e2d|
"Em"Bee gfe|"D"fda fga|"Em"bag "D"fdf|"A"edc "D"d2 :|
%%vskip .3in
%%textoption 1
%%begintext
I wrote this tune shortly after we returned from playing at a wedding on Nantucket, 
which is where the Brant Point lighthouse is. We didn't get to see much of the island 
but it certainly looks like a nice place to spend some time (and money, lots of it, 
especially in the summer). 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12034
%%textfont 15
T:BRAVE LADS of TYRONE (reel)
C:© BB
%
L:1/8
Q:1/4=180
M:4/4
%%R:reel
K:A mix
AF|"A"EAcA eAcA|"G"GABd edBG|"A"EAcA "D"FAdf|"A"efec "E"B2 AF|
"A"EAcA eAcA|"G"GABd "Em"edeg|"A"aece "G"dcBG|"E"EAcB "A"A2 :|
cd|"A"eaaf "G"gfed|"A"eaab "G"g2 ed|"A"eaaf "G"gedB|"A"ce "E"dB "A"A2 ed|
"A"eaaf "G"gfed|"A"eaab "G"g2 ed|"A"cdec "Bm"BcdB|"A"Ac "E"B^G "A"A2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
I was working on a project a while back that required me to find one dance tune 
for each of the 32 counties of Ireland (e.g., "Dublin Porter", "Galway Rambler", 
"Cork Hornpipe", "Sligo Maid" - you get the idea.) I was amazed to discover 
that there were no dance tunes that included "Tyrone" in the title - at least I 
couldn't find any. (There is a tune called "Tyrone's Ditches" but it's a march.) 
%%endtext


%%%
X:12035
%%textfont 15
T:BRAVE YOUNG BRIAN [jig]
T:"Brian the Brave"
%
C:© BB
%R:jig
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:G
D|"G"GFG BAG|"C"efg "D"dBA|"G"GFG BAG|"Em"EAB "D"A2 D|
"G"GFG BAG|"C"efg "D"def|"G"gdB "Am"cAF|"D"DEF "G"G2 :|
e|"G"gfg "Am"aga|"G"bag "C"efg|"G"dBd gdB|"Em"GAB "D"A2 e|
"G"gfg "Am"aga|"G"bag "Em"edB|"G"GAB "Am"AGE|"D"DEF "G"G2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
This tune was originally named "Brian the Brave" until I found out that name 
had already been used for a tune in the Roche collection. Oops. . . The Brian of 
my title is a young man who had to overcome a lot of adversity early in his life, 
but never gave up and has done quite well for himself - a good example of 
bravery indeed. (Note that Brian's proud dad Larry Jr. likes the original name, 
so it's included here!) 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12036
%%textfont 15
T:BREEZE ACROSS the LAKE (jig), The
C:© BB
%
L:1/8
M:6/8
%%R:jig
Q:1/4=160
K:G
D|"G"G2B d^cd|"Em"edB "G"d2B|"F"cBA =FEF|"Dm"D=FA "F"cBA|
"G"G2B d^cd|"Em"edB "D"def|"G"gdB "D7"ABc|"G"BGF G2 :|
e|"G"gfg dcB|"G"gfg dcB|"F"=fef cBA|"F"=fef cBA|
"G"gfg dcB|"G"GBd "F"=fef|"G"gdB "D7"ABc|"G"BGF G2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
Pick your favorite lake - lots of lovely ones up in the Adirondacks, or just 
around the bend in Ireland - but I didn't have any particular one in mind! 
(On Cape Cod they're "ponds" unless you can't see to the other side - THEN 
they're "lakes"!) 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12037
%irish_rolls_on
%%textfont 15
T:BROKEN BOW HORNPIPE, The
C:© BB 2009
%
Q:1/4=150
M:4/4
%%R:hornpipe
K:G
%swing .25
A2|"G"BG~G2 DG~G2|"G"BABd gfed|"Am"cA~A2 "C"EGcB|"D"AGFE D3A|
"G"BGFG "Am"cA^GA|"G"dgfg "D7"afdc|"G"BdgB "D"AcBA|"G" B2GF G2 :|
A2|"Em"BGEG edBA|"Em"GB "D"AF "Em"E3E|"D"AF~F2 dF~F2|"D"fed^c d3e|
"G"gabg "D"fgaf|"C"efge "G"B3A|"C"cdeg "D"fdfa|"G"g2gf g2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%textoption
%%begintext
This tune is named for a street in our former home town of Falmouth, unremark-
able except for the fact that some very nice people closely related to me live there. 
Not sure where the name comes from - it might have some historical significance 
(or not) .  
%%endtext

%%%
X:12038
T:BRYANT'S BARBECUE (reel) 
C:© BB
%
M:4/4
Q:1/4=180
%%R:reel
L:1/8
K:Am
AB|"Am"cedc A^GAc|"G"BGBd edcB|"Am"cA^GA "G"dcBd|"Em"edcB "Am"A3B|
"C"cde^f gece|"Am"agec "G"BdBG|"Em"EGAB "C"cEBE|"Am"AGEG A2 :|
eg|"Am"aABc ABcA|eABc ABcA|"G"gd^cd Bd^cd|g^fgb ageg|
"Am"aABc ABcA|eABc ABcA|"G"gdBG "Em"E^FGB|"Am"cA"G"BG "Am"A2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
If you're ever in Kansas City (Missouri), make sure you pay a visit to Arthur Bryant's 
barbecue place downtown (on Brooklyn Avenue!). No question that it's some of the best 
barbecue you'll ever try. The place is always smoky and noisy and crowded - in other 
words, definitely worth the trip! (PS - if you're fussy, you might want to bring your own 
napkins.) 
%%endtext

%%%
X:12039
%%textfont 15
T:BUCKET o' NAILS (polka), The
C:© BB 
%
M:2/4
Q:1/4=140
L:1/8
%R:polka
K:D
"D"A>B AF|"Em"ED EF|"Bm"A/F/A/B/ dB|"A"AF E2|
"D"A>B AF|"A" EA ce|"G"dB A/B/A/G/|"D"FD D2 :|
"D"f>a fd|"C"ge =ce|"D"f>a fd|"A"cd e2|
"D"f>a fd|"C"ge =ce|"D"f/g/a/f/ "A"g/e/c/e/|\
"D"fd d2 :|
%%vskip .2in
%%begintext
Someone on IRTRAD (the now-moribund-but-not-totally-dead traditional Irish 
music mailing list, may its name be blessed forever) once described yours truly 
as "funny as a bucket of nails" after I had shared one of my usual inanities. In 
his part of the world (I believe he's English) that's not necessarily a compliment, 
but I thought it would make a good tune title anyway. (Look, I'll take titles 
wherever I can get them!) 
%%endtext