The Blackbird ( An Lon Dubh )

Old Irish Set Dance played by Tony Mac Mahon & Barney Mc Kenna.

This tune played here as a set-dance is also found as a slow air, and probably originated as a song. The blackbird or 'An Londubh' is one of many allegorical names used by the poets and bards to refer to Ireland. The title was also understood to apply to King James III. It is one of the earliest Irish lyrics written in English; Grattan Flood found reference to this Jacobite song in 1709. The words were printed by Bunting in 1840, along with a setting of the tune transcribed from D. O'Donnell, a harper from Co. Mayo, in 1803. A less florid version had been published in the early 1800s, by both Paul Alday and O'Farrell. The version published in Bunting has much in common with the setting included by O'Neill in his 1903 collection, where a Long Dance setting also appears. Today, this tune is most commonly known as a set dance, and is one of the few set-dances danced with the same steps all over the country.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Trad
• Irish
• Ireland
• Folk
• Session
• Clare
• Dublin
• Dubliners

[ireland88]

Great stuff, where are they playing in the video?

[clarebannerman]

In Florence I think!

[bbfrain]

Bringing the old culture to Palazzo Vecchio. What a beautiful place to bring the cultures of Europe together.

[tomtscotland]

One word - fantastic!

[de8emens]

Allway's makes me thirsty for a nice proper ale

[lissycarn]

What a gem. Just priceless these pieces. I love Barney.

[tomtesticle]

Clareban! Where do you get them from? Wonderful!

[HEADSUPBERKELEY]

Boy so many Blackbirds This is the set dance now wouldn't you love to see the dancers. thanks so much Clare you are an angel!

BB

[lars3939]

Yes that is David by Donatello in the background, first free standing sculpture and home in Florence.

[OShaughnessyC]

Thanks for this and for the historical background note.