Gallagher’s Frolics

Jig, E Dorian (or Em), Traditional Irish
Also known as Tell Her I Will; The Banner
TrailJams Tune of the Week June 12, 2022; December 31, 2023; November 9, 2025.

Gallagher’s Frolics is a lively, quick-footed Irish jig that dances between mystery and joy. Its minor-mode lift (E Dorian) gives it a touch of wildness — and it fits beautifully on both D and G instruments.

(This tune could be considered to be in either E minor or in E Dorian, the difference being whether the C in the scale is C-sharp or C-natural. Since the tune contains neither C-sharp nor C-natural, it’s mode is ambiguous. )

Recordings

• Video – Dulahan Ireland: Gallagher’s Frolics – played on fiddle, with guitar backup.
• Video – Port Mooncall: Gallagher’s Frolics – played on fiddle and cello by Rosalind Parducci and Summer McCall.
• Video – Chris Smith: Gallagher’s Frolics/The Pipe on the Hob/The Hag at the Churn – from the album Coyotebanjo, Irish Traditional Music from America, Chris Smith with Roger Landes and Randal Bays. Played on tenor banjo and fiddle with bouzouki backing.

Playlist – TrailJams Listening Series

Listen to a curated playlist (virtual album) of recordings of Gallagher’s Frolics. Absorb the tune by hearing it in multiple settings and arrangements. Listen, loop, and learn.

Sheet Music

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.

Sets

Examples of sets that include this tune.

• Frolic and Tell Jig Set: Tell Her I Am (G) / Gallagher’s Frolics (E Dorian)
• Gallagher Jig Set: Gallagher’s Frolics / The Pipe on the Hob (3-Part) / The Hag at the Churn
• Castle Frolics Jig Set: Tell Her I Am (G) / Gallagher’s Frolics (E Dorian, Em) / The Castle (Sean Ryan’s Jig, A Dorian)
• Gallagher’s Frolics / The Pipe on the Hob (3-Part) / The Hag at the Churn
• Donnybrook Fair / Gallagher’s Frolics
• Tell Her I Am / Gallagher’s Frolics
• Gallagher’s Frolic’s / The Mist Covered Mountain

References and Resources

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

• More Recordings
  • Video – Shane Farrell: Gallagher’s Frolics – played on tenor banjo
  • Video – Duncan Cameron: Gallagher’s Frolics – played on fiddle with close-up on left-hand technique. Played up to speed, then slowly.
  • Audio – Whalebone: Hag of the Churn / Gallagher’s Frolics – played on mandolin. From the album Totally Plucked. Whalebone is Char Watson & Steve Downs. Gallagher’s Frolics starts at about time 1:34 in this recording.
  • Video – Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill (Richmond Folk Festival): Tell Her I Am / Gallagher/s Frolics
• Books
  • Book: Irish Music – 400 Traditional Tunes by Stephen Ducke – with audio
  • Book: – Matt & Shannon Heaton: In Harmony – with audio
• Lessons
  • Video – Mikela Valenzuela: Gallagher’s Frolics – how I learn a tune by ear in 3 simple steps – played on fiddle, but applies to any instrument
  • Video – Tergal14 Mandolin: Irish mandolin lessons. Gallagher’s Frolics (jig) – mandolin demonstration, with tab
  • Video – Tradschool: Gallaghers Frolics 1 (Slow) – Tin Whistle Tutorial – Tradschool – tin whistle demonstration
• Other Resources
  • Webpage – TheSession: Gallagher’s Frolics (Jig) – crowdsourced sheet music, comments, and other information
  • Article: Dorian, Mixolydian, Oh My: Modes in a Nutshell, by Jonathan Lay, TrailJams