Tune Req: Sullivan's John (Pecker Dunne)

Subject: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: GUEST,radriano
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 11:54 AM

There have been some threads in the past about the song Sullivan's John. I am trying to find the melody for the song (which is not in any of the threads). The only reference to the song in the database is the parody The Bold Librarian by Joy Rutherford.

Any help on this is much appreciated, you mudcatters you.

radriano

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 04:13 PM

I have struggled but this is the best I can do and hopefully is close enough.

Jon

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: GUEST,radriano
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 07:02 PM

Thanks, Jon, your efforts are much appreciated.

Regards,
radriano

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: GUEST,dulcimer
Date: 06 Apr 00 - 06:51 PM

Isn't it a variation of Spancil Hill?

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 06 Apr 00 - 10:01 PM

I don't know but I can't hear anything in the melodies that would lead me to think that one might be a variation of the other.

Jon

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: GUEST,John in Brisbane
Date: 07 Apr 00 - 05:35 AM

Jon, thanks for the tune - it has me really intrigued. It's very similar to something I've worked on in the last 6 - 9 months. The real giveaway for me was the penultimate note, the B, when your ear is expecting a Bb. Please don't tell me that this was just a notation mistake!

It'll drive me batty but I reckon that it's a tune from Kennedy or maybe even one that MacColl used. My money is drifting towards one of MacColl's Radio Ballads.

Puzzling, John

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 07 Apr 00 - 04:01 PM

John I can't find anything with the music in but I managed to find a Paddy Reiley tape with it on just to confirm that it wasn't my memory playing tricks with me. He does it a lot faster than my MIDI but you will be pleased to hear that he sings the B natural (or whatever equivilant in the key he sings in).

Jpn

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: Molly Malone
Date: 07 Apr 00 - 05:11 PM

I have it on CD if you want it...I'll tape it for you...or you can go here and get their cd. They do a great version...it's my favorite song!

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: Molly Malone
Date: 07 Apr 00 - 05:12 PM

Better yet, I have it recorded for Real Jukebox here on my computer...if someone can tell me if it's email-able.

(Sorry for the double post...I'm tired.)

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 07 Apr 00 - 07:11 PM

Molly, Real Jukebox files are emailable. The only problem I have encountered with them is Real Jukebox can be set record with some form of security code which makes them only usuable on your computer. So you need to make sure that option is switched off if you record to send to others.

The only other issue is file size and while the files are small compared to wav files, I know somebody who has had trouble sending songs in Real format via her Hotmail (I think) account as they were larger than the email system would allow.

To send a recording to anybody, I am currently using Real Producer and recording as an Mp3. The sound quality is not perfect but IMO perfectly adequate and results in much smaller files. I believe there are far better MP3 products around but I don't know much about it and this suits my needs.

I would love to hear the version you have and,if you are feeling generous, please email it to me in Real or MP3 format. My email address is [e-mail]

Jon

PS, I mentioned file sizes.. I am happy receiving anything up to say 1 Mb but anything larger, please warn me.

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: Snuffy
Date: 08 Apr 00 - 09:44 AM



I have a 60s recording by Sweeney's Men, where the low B's appear to be flattened as well as the high ones. Does this make it Mixolydian, or is it just a major tune with all the sevenths flattened? And does it matter?.
I think I prefer your version! Incidentally I used Midi2abc to translate your midi, and it rendered the Bbs as A#s - confusing for a few minutes.

Dulcimer
One of the verses refers to Spancil Hill, but the tunes don't seem similar. Is this what you were thinking of?

I've heard of a fair in the county Clare,
At a spot they call Spancil Hill,
Where my brother James got a rap on the hames,
And poor Paddy they tried to kill.

Wassail! V

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: scouse
Date: 09 Apr 00 - 04:40 AM

Was the song not written by Pecker Dunne???

Subject: RE: Melody request for Sullivan's John
From: Molly Malone
Date: 10 Apr 00 - 02:53 PM

It just occured to me to look in the database...and the words aren't there! I wonder why not??? Or am I just not seeing it?