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This is an old ‘great pipes’ or píob mhór war march that is know to be over a thousand years old. It was played by pipers of Brian Boru’s army after they defeated the Vikings at Clontarf in 1014. On their march back to Munster they were filled with sadness for their slain king, and feelings of joy for their victory at Clontarf, and as the march continued, their pipes opened up again and again, playing this tune.
BA GF | E>F GA | B>A GF | E2 E>A | AG F>A | d2 A2 | B/d/B A2 | B>c dc | BA GF | EF GA | BA GF | E3 A | AG FA | d2 Ad | F2 E2 | E3 A || B2 e2 | e2 de | f2 e2 | d2 A2 | B/d/B A2 | d2 A2 | B2 A2 | Bc de | f2 e>e | ee dc | B2 A2 | d4 | Bd BA | Fd BA | F/G/F E2 || E3 A | BA GF | EF GA | BA GF | E2 EA | AG FA | d2 A2 | B/d/B A2 | Bc dc | BA GF | EF GA | BA G2 | E3 A | AG FA | d2 Ad | F2 E2 || E3 A | B2 e2 | e2 d>e | f2 e2 | d2 A2 | B/d/B A2 | d2 A2 | B2 A2 | Bc de | f2 e>e | e2 dc | B2 A2 | d3 B | Bd BA | Fd BA | F2 EE | E4 |
