Question about Southwind

Subject: Question about Southwind
From: GUEST,Dave Leonard
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 12:06 PM

I was wondering if anyone knew is Southwind, the Irish instrumental, was considered and air or a waltz? It doesn't have the traditional waltz accent but is played evenly on all three beats.

I'm trying to sort my fiddle tunes by category.

Dave

Subject: RE: Question about Southwind
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 12:17 PM

I think you can play it either way - slower as an air, or with a waltzy swing to it if you prefer. Although it's not O'Carolan, it goes nicely with Fanny Power and Planxty Irwin as a set.
If you're trying to classify it, put it in one category, then cross-ref it to the other.
Not quite sure what you mean by "played evenly on 3 beats" as it has some dotted notes in it, at least the way I play it with my pals.
And as a by the way, Ewan McVicar used this tune for his song "All the Tunes in the World" - which is a good end-of-the-night song.

Subject: RE: Question about Southwind
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 12:26 PM

This was arguably composed as a song, which would class it as an air.

It was composed by Donal Meirgeach MacConmara, a native of Irrul, County Mayo and published in O'Sullivan's "Songs of the Irish" (Crown, New York, 1960).


South wind of the gentle breeze, you banish winter weather
Bring salmon to the pools again, the bees among the heather
If northward now you mean to blow, as you rustle soft above me
Godspeed be with you as you go
With a kiss for those who love me

From south I come with velvet breeze, my word all nature blesses
I melt the snow and I strew the leaves, with flowers and soft caresses
I'll help you to dispel you woes, with joy I'll take your greeting
And bear it to your loved Mayo
Upon my wings so fleeting

My Connaught famed for wine and play; so gay, so loyal, so loving
Here's my fond wish I send today, borne on the wind in it's roving
These Munster folk they are good and kind, right royally they treat me
But this land I gladly leave behind
For your Connaught pipes to greet me

Subject: RE: Question about Southwind
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 12:38 PM

To Tattie Bogle,

Be even beats I mean it doesn't have a waltz's accented beat ONE two three, ONE two three, but an even one two three, one two three beat.
I hope that clarifies what I'm trying to describe.

Dave

Subject: RE: Question about Southwind
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 12:40 PM

To GUEST,

I didn't even know it had words! Thank you. I'll add them to my song list.

Dave

Subject: RE: Question about Southwind
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 01:42 PM

Not many people would sing it although some have:


Archie Fisher : Southwind

Subject: RE: Question about Southwind
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 02:08 PM

Here's a very nice dulcimer recording of the melody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmssOCgfvCU

Subject: RE: Question about Southwind
From: Helen
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 05:11 PM

Our just-for-fun music session group has been playing this tune for over 40 years and it was a favourite of one of our beloved, now deceased members who made and played hand-crafted lap dulcimers.

We play it as an air, in a set with O'Carolan's Planxty Fanny Power (performed by The Chieftains), and Josephine's Waltz aka Josefin's Waltz (performed slowly by Alastair Fraser & Natalie Haas).

The three tunes have an interesting rhythm.

Subject: RE: Question about Southwind
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Sep 24 - 04:54 AM

i play it generally as an air ,if someone wanted a waltz i might oblige