Ballydesmond Polka 2

Polka, A Dorian, Traditional Irish
Also known as: The Jib Polka; Gneeveguilla Polka; The Ballydesmond Polka

TrailJams Tune of the Week: Ballydesmond Polka No. 2 (The Jib Polka) Traditional Irish. Play it together October 23, 2022. trailjams.org, Image copyright 2022 Jonathan Lay

This tune is generally known as Ballydesmond Polk No. 2, but naming is inconsistent, and in the tradition of the TrailJams session this is the first tune played in the “Ballydesmond Polka Set.”

“Ballydesmond Polka 2” and “The Jib Polka” are two of the names for this traditional Irish polka. It is one of the “Ballydesmond Polkas,” a collection of tunes often played as a set. Which of the tunes is in the set, what order they are played in, and what name each tune goes by varies widely. Whatever the construction of the set, these tunes are cheerful and fun to play. Ballydesmond is a rural village in County Cork, in Ireland’s Sliabh Luachra region. Be sure to look at the “Nifty Mnemonics” lyrics below for a handy way to remember the melody — and which of the Ballydesmond Polkas this one is.

Recordings

Dots (Music Notation)

As always for traditional tunes, the musical notation and chords do not indicate the “right” way to play the tune, but are a useful reference.

Sheet music and chords for Ballydesmond Polka No. 2. Traditional Irish polka in A Dorian. trailjams.org
Play from the Dots
Slow tempo 95bpm
Moderate tempo 115bpm

Sets

Examples of sets that include this tune.

  • Ballydesmond Polka 2 / Ballydesmond Polka 1 / Ballydesmond Polka 3
  • Ballydesmond Polka 1 / Ballydesmond Polka 2 / Ballydesmond Polka 3

Nifty Mnemonics –
Lyrics for Remembering the Tune

Here are some silly lyrics to help you remember how the tune goes. (They are not traditional.)

Ballydesmond Polka 2 -- memory aid lyrics by Jonathan Lay

A Part:
   Johnny are you dancin' yet, are the drums a-beatin' yet, the Ballydesmond Polka set is only just begun, and it's
   Johnny are you dancin' yet, are the drums a-beatin' yet, the Ballydesmond Polka set is only just begun now

B Part:
   Play the box and make a din, we still have time to dance and spin, there will be time to sleep again, so early in the morning
   Play the box and make a din, we still have time to dance and spin, there will be time to sleep again, so early in the morning

(Copyright Jonathan Lay 2021)

References and Resources

For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.