Na Píobairí Uilleann

Chairman, NPU

An Píobaire

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7 1 18 20110224 G ANDSEY entered, as on a former occa- sion, leaning upon his son. “Ah, Gand- sey,” said I, “this was very good of you to come to me, especially as it is my last evening in Killarney; and here are two gentle- men, who have arrived from England, that I want to introduce to you.” “I thank you, sir,” was the modest reply of Gandsey; “you are very good, sir.” “Here is a glass of wine – but perhaps you would prefer some whiskey punch?” “I drink the wine to your honour’s good health and long life,” said Gandsey; “but the whiskey punch, sir, if you please, harmonizes better with the melodies I am going to play, sir.” “Waiter, some whiskey punch. – Gandsey, I wish much to hear ‘The Eagle’s Whistle,’ so I think the war-march of the O’Donoghue is called – You can play it, of course.” “Without any kind of doubt I can do that same,” returned Gandsey. “Boy, is your violin in tune? there’s the note – Week – week – week – squeek – that will do. Now, sir, – but first, if you please, suppose, sir, that I give you, be- cause, you see, it is the oldest of the two war- marches of the O’Donoghue, ‘the Step of the Glens.’” (Here Gandsey played the barbarous strain, which the reader will find annexed, No. 1.) 18 ~ From the Archive ~ MUSIC FROM JAMES GANDSEY The following passage is taken from Thomas Crofton Croker’s Legends of the Lakes (London 1829, pp214-223). The action is set in Gorham’s Hotel (later The Hibernian) in High Street, Killarney. The final air is not named in the book. Digitised versions of the music may be found online at www.pipers.ie/IMCO

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2011-02-24T00:00:00

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