AND - since to answer the question "It is an actual reel" there needs to be a definition of what makes a reel a reel. (Since even if the tune was composed for the lyrics it could still be an actual reel)

found this:Jigs and reels both have a steady beat at a quick walking pace. For this reason, jigs and reels are the tunes normally used for contra dances, whose basic step is a walking step. Superimposed on this walking beat is a faster melody beat. In other words, there are typically multiple notes of the melody for each walking step. The difference between jigs and reels is that a jig has three melody beats per walking step, whereas a reel has four

still not very helpful to me. it may help you mick.


found this quote as well:A song written by a man living in Los Angeles who according to Christy finds the place hard going and sings songs to keep his head together (although I'm not quite sure it was together while writing this) - it's called The Reel In The Flickering Light.

sound (mp3) at http://www.michaelcollins.utvinternet.com/audio/reel.mp3