Jig Thursday - Irish Washerwoman [G]

This was our "Jig Thursday" selection from March 14, 2024. The Irish Washerwoman felt like a fitting selection leading into St. Pat's, because throughout the 1900s it became such an iconic fanfare of corny/insulting Irish-ness in America. But the melody pre-dates any of that vaudeville nonsense: it first appeared in Robert Petrie's Collection of Strathspey Reels and Country Dances around 1790. (And it might have come from England around the late 1500s..). There have been many versions ever since those pre-Irish Spring soap days. We learned this lovely setting from Gerdie Commane and Joe Ryan's album "Two Gentleman of Clare Music." Green tunic aside, hopefully we convey some of the elegance and lyricism in this tune. No green beer needed.
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We started this 'series' on a diff social media platform. We wanted to share a few of our favorite tunes, and record them in a minute (so we could share the whole thing). It's such a small little project. But it's been fun to blast through a few of our very favorite jigs. We're putting the vids up on YT, for folks who want an easier way to search for titles.

[@douglascole5729]

Remarkable. I've never thought of doing variations on that tune because it is so 'iconic'. It is a wonderfully melodic and varied tune, 'complete in itself', if you know what I mean. What fun it is to 'bring it out' for St. Pat's Day.

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Oh, EVERY tune can be varied. And most tunes have numerous settings--worth hunting for the one that suits, esPECIALLY if it's an iconic/oft played one!

[@garymcnaughton2338]

EXCELLENT 🎼🎵🎶🌟😊👍

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Thanks, Gary!

[@irishflutegirl9022]

❤

[@AlaskaWild]

This is amazing!!!

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Very satisfying to visit an old (sometimes weirdly played) tune, and find some resonance!

[@vive_y_deja_vivir]

Great!! Greetings from Spain.

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Thank you! Best wishes to you in Spain.

[@craftychatscafe6342]

Thank you so much for sharing. I was just teaching a simple duet version of this to one of my students on the piano, wonderful to hear the full version ❤

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Wonderful that we're both playing it this week!

[@habituates5356]

Love this!

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Thanks for giving it a spin!

[@cheryldiegel7117]

Love this version!

[@ShannonHeatonMusic]

Yay! We love it, too.