Rakish Paddy

Reel, D Mixolydian, traditional Irish
Also known as: Rakish Pat; The Deer’s Horns; Cabar Feidh; The Deer’s Antlers

This jaunty reel has been part of Irish traditional music for well over a century. It is among the tunes published in O’Neill’s Music of Ireland in 1903. The tune’s history is traced to an older Scottish tune, “Cabar Feidh” (The Deer’s Antlers).

If you are a bit hazy on the Mixolydian mode, see the article “Dorian, Mixolydian, Oh My: Modes in a Nutshell” for a brief and friendly explanation.

Recordings

• Audio – Comhaltas: Rakish Paddy/The Tailors Fancy/The High Reel – from the album The Rambles of Kitty (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, 1967)
• Video – Niilo Sirola: Rakish Paddy / Ashplant / Speed the Plough – from the album Irish Tunes on Mandolin and Banjo
• Video – Shane Farrell: Rakish Paddy Reel – played on solo tenor banjo

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.

• Monaghan Maid Reel Set: The Monaghan Twig (A Mixolydian) / Rakish Paddy (D Mixolydian) / The Wise Maid (D)
• Dinky’s Reel / Rakish Paddy / Drowsy Maggie
• Rakish Paddy / The Tailors Fancy / The High Reel

References and Resources

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

• Books
  • Book – Francis O’Neill and James O’Neill: The Dance Music of Ireland (published 1907)
  • Book – Francis O’Neill and James O’Neill: O’Neill’s Music of Ireland (published 1903)
• Lessons
  • Lesson – Shannon & Matt Heaton: Rakish Paddy [Reel in D Mix] – Tune of the Month with Shannon Heaton – video with tune taught phrase-by-phrase on guitar and flute
  • Lesson – Michael Eskin: TradLessons.com – Rakish Paddy – video lesson for tin whistle; demonstration of the tune played fast and slowly
  • Lesson – Oakville Celtic Fiddle Orchestra: Rakish Paddy Slow – video lesson for fiddle; demonstration of the tune played slowly
• Additional Resources
  • Article – Jonathan Lay (TrailJams): Dorian, Mixolydian, Oh My: Modes in a Nutshell
  • Webpage – irishtune.info: Rakish Paddy – archival information about the tune, curated by Alan Ng
  • Webpage – Henrik Norbeck’s ABC Tunes – Rakish Paddy – sheet music, ABC notation, and archival information about the tune
  • Webpage – The Session: Rakish Paddy – crowdsourced sheet music, comments, and more