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    The first of May, hornpipe

    Port
    Source Paddy O'Brien Tune Collection
    Key Signature D Major
    Time Signature 4/4
    Number of Parts 2
    Tonic d

    I learned this setting of ‘The First of May’ from old-time fiddler James Bryan. It’s also played with much the same setting that can be found in O’Neill’s 1850 collection. The first of May is an old day of celebration in Ireland, including the ancient ritual of decorating a ‘May bush,’ which would be planted outsidenmthe door of one’s home to protect the household from the wee folk and their mischief.

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    The first of May, hornpipe

    In copyright - Educational Use Permitted 
     A2 G2 | EAAB =cBAG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 cA AF GF ED | EA AB B=c AG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 B=c A2 A3 G || EA AB =cB AG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 cA AF GF ED | EA AB B=c AG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 B=c{/B} A2 A2 fg || a2 af ge ag | fe fg e2 fg | ag ec df ed |
 cA AF Ge fg | a2 af ge ag | fe fg e2 fg | ag ec df ed |
 B=c{/B} A2 A2 fg || a2 af ge ag | fe fg e2 fg | ag ec df ed |
 cA AF GF ED | EAAB B=cAG | Adde fefg | ag ec df ed |
 B=c A2 A3 G || EA AB =cB AG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 cA AF GF ED | EA AB (3:2:2B =c2 AG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 B=c A2 A3 G || EA AB =cB AG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 cA AF GF ED | EA AB (3:2:2B =c2 AG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 B=c A2 A2 fg || a2 af ge ag | fe fg ee fg | ag ec df ed |
 cA AF Ge fg | a2 af ge ag | fe fg eefg | ag ec df ed |
 B=c A2 A2 fg || a2 af ge ag | fe fg e2 fg | ag ec df ed |
 cA AF GF ED | EA AB (3:2:2B =c2 AG | Ad de fe fg | ag ec df ed |
 B=c A2 B A3 |

    This ABC was generated by computer