The Cuckoo's Nest

This is a traditional tune which I first heard many years ago on the "Rags, Reels and Airs" album by Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick. The version I play here is a composite taken from several differing sources, but with a strong leaning towards Swarbrick's feel.

The tab and music for this is available from my website:

http://www.mjra.net/WillFly/

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http://frontporch.phpbb3now.com

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Will
• Fly
• english
• morris
• folk
• music
• acoustic
• guitar
• fingerpicking
• Dave
• Swarbrick

[mkermitc]

This tune is King of the Fairies.

[HenfieldWill]

No - it's similar but not the same. I play The King Of The Fairies in a Ceilidh bend. Check TheSession website and take a look at the sheet music for KOTF. :-) Will

[eileenmclain]

Yes, it sure sounds a lot like King of the Fairies, but not quite. However, it's still not the "Cuckoo's Nest" most of us know. Check out the other versions on youtube, and you'll find "Cuckoo's Nest" , the REEL....

[HenfieldWill]

The problem (for me) is that I have several versions of the Cuckoo's Nest by different players and in different songbooks, and the chordal/melodic progressions in this and other traditional songs are very, very similar! So, my Cuckoo's Nest is an amalgam of these different versions - and, yes, there is a passing resemblance to King Of The Fairies - and also a resemblance to The Little Beggarman! Ah well - it's only rock'n roll... :-)

[Poodlepups]

To mkermitc: It sure does sound like King of the Fairies (and could be played in place of it for one solo in a session!) but it's not.

I videotaped Ken Kolodner and Elke Baker playing what I thought was Are Ye Sleepin' Maggie (which they had recorded together!) and was told it was the Scottish version of Cuckoo's Nest! So now we have three versions? Click on my name to see this video. Argh! 3 versions!

[HenfieldWill]

I know how you feel! When I look up a song on TheSession website, I'm staggered at the variations in title and style available. Makes my head reel (!) :-)

[themachinist1000]

Excellent!

[hamfisto]

@sipodge I'd guess "Drink Down the Moon" by Steeleye Span, the second, uptempo part of the song, starting about 4 minutes in, I think. It's "feathers in the cuckoo's nest" but it sounds like "finger."

[sipodge]

I'm looking for a song about a Cuckoo's nest... I think it mentions something about a finger in the cuckoo's nest... I dunno! But I heard it on the radio, and I really want to find it! If anyone can help, that would be great!

(P.S, amazing playing!)

[42tomasso]

is the same as Swarbricks version of the cuckoos nest.

[42tomasso]

It's exactly the same as swarbricks "the cuckoo's nest" see video on the right or search for it.

[micallo58]

very very good and thanks for ...the tabs

[Admerxin13]

I looooooove the tune! This is the first version I've ever heard. LUV IT LIKE HELL.

I read while listening to it!

[emer317]

but i like it!

[bdrfisher1]

Beautiful

[NaturalBornPredator]

Excellent playing! You should check out Yonder Mountain String Band performing it with lyrics by John Hartford. Keep up the good work!