The way I learned to play Swallowtail Jig, many years ago, was an example of the melodic minor scale. In this scale the ascending notes differ from the descending notes in that both up and down use the flatted 3rd but neither the 6th nor 7th are flatted going up but are on the way down.

In the B part of Swallowtail this means one plays B, C#, D#, E at the beginning, going up, but use the D natural coming down. In searching now, I can find no evidence of this playing. Its seems everyone uses the D natural both up and down. (I'm sure whistle players like it better).

Is anyone else familiar with this version? I don't think I imagined it all, but now I wonder.

-Jamie