The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is committed to providing free, universal access to the rich cultural tradition of Irish music, song and dance. If you’re able, we’d love for you to consider a donation. Any level of support will help us preserve and grow this tradition for future generations.
The name of this reel was handed down from the ancient days of pagan festivals held during the month of May. These festivals were encouraged by Irish druids, who were sponsors of such occasions as part of their cultural and religious celebrations. Michael Coleman’s recording of this came after another reel called ‘Doctor Gilbert’s’. The two reels were some of his more famous companion pieces.
F4 A2 | Bc df eB dB | AD ED FA AA | Bcdf edBe |
dB Ad BE FA | B/d/B BA Be dB | AD ED FA A2 | Bc df ed Be |
dB Ad BE FA || B3 B fBeB | de fa af ed | B2 eB fB eB |
dB Ad BD FA | B2 eB fBeB | de fa afed | fb ba fg fe |
dB Ad BEFA || Bcdf edBd | AD ED FAAA | Bc df ed Be |
dB Ad BE FA | Bd BA Be dB | AD ED FA{/B} AA | Bc df ed Be |
dB Ad BE FA || B2 eB fB eB | d2 e/f/g af ed | B2 eB fBeB |
dB Ad BD FA | BB eB fB dB | de fg ag ed | fb ba fg fe |
dB Ad BE FA || Bc df ed Bd | AD ED FA{/B} AA | Bc df ed Be |
dB Ad BE FA | B/d/B BA BedB | AD ED FA A2 | Bc df ed Be |
dB Ad BE FA || B/c/d eg fd ec | de fg af eA | B/c/d eg fdec |
dBAd BEFA | B2 eB GB eB | de fg afed | fb ba{/=f} ^fgfe |
dBAd BE E2- | E8 |