Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]

Subject: Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Oct 20 - 12:25 PM

A traditional Welsh dance tune, Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest] has been used recently in a workshop session.

There's a tune which I already play called Jacky Tar.

Jacky Tar


This sounds remarkably similar to Nyth y gwcw.

Nyth y gwcw

Anyone familiar with the tunes who might shed light on any connections of these items?

Subject: RE: Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Oct 20 - 12:33 PM

I omitted to mention that Nyth y gwcw is in Dm & Jacky Tar is in G

Subject: RE: Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]
From: leeneia
Date: 12 Oct 20 - 01:25 AM

I learned that Nyth a Gwcw from two Welsh musicians, but they called it Nyth a Gog. The B part of Nyth a Gwcw shares a few measures with the A part of Jacky Tar, but I think they are different enough to be considered two different tunes.

For those not familiar with Welsh, w can sound like u, so that Gwcw is pronounced goocoo - obviously cuckoo.

I enjoyed your rendition of Jacky Tar, Mr. Happy.

Subject: RE: Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]
From: Tradsinger
Date: 12 Oct 20 - 03:46 PM

Check out Pitchppole Jack including these 2 tunes in a medley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjNt0gakshI

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Oct 20 - 07:54 AM

"I learned that Nyth a Gwcw from two Welsh musicians, but they called it Nyth a Gog."

I think that may be a north Welsh/ south Welsh difference.

The tune is found all over the place with both titles (and variations thereof) There are songs with words based on both titles too.
Versions I know of include:
Numerous Cotswold Morris Tunes
The Welsh one
"Jackie Tar"
"Come Ashore Jolly Tar, with your Trousers On" *
"The Cuckoos Nest" from Laurence Leadley, the fiddler of Helperby in north Yorkshire.

This is The Leadley Cuckoo's Nest which is almost note for note a major key version of the usual minor key session version of Jacky Tar.

* believed to be a reference to sailors keeping a clean pair of trousers on board for shore leave.

Subject: RE: Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Oct 20 - 05:50 AM

As I understand it:

Nyth y Gwcw is a 32 bar tune usually played in Dm. here

Nyth y Gog is a different 48 bar tune usually played in Am. here

But the titles may be interchangeable, they both mean The Cuckoo's Nest.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 Oct 20 - 06:14 PM

Many thanks one & all for helpful suggestions & YTube snatches, which confirmed my hunch that the tunes seems almost mirror images Major/ Minor.

leeneia, I appreciate your sentiment regarding the version of 'Jacky Tar' - alas not me playing, that's Gavin Atkin.

More variations here:

Nyth y gwcw

Nyth y gwcw

&

Jacky Tar

Jacky Tar

Subject: RE: Nyth y gwcw [Cuckoo's nest]
From: leeneia
Date: 17 Oct 20 - 12:46 PM

That's not the Nyth a Gog I learned, but then, if all the tunes named The Cuckoo's Nest (in any language) were laid end to end, we could dance all night.