Polka, E Dorian, Traditional Irish
Recordings
- Video – Bobbi Nikles: Riding on a Load of Hay – The Murroe – from the album Fire in the Air
- Audio – New Leaf: Jessica’s Polka/ Mother’s Little Pet/ Riding on a Load of Hay/ Davy Collins (polkas) – from the album New Leaf (Kira Jewett, John Tabb, Adam Braunschweig; Northampton, Massachusetts, USA). (Riding on a Load of Hay starts at time 1:52 in this recording.)
- Video – Liz Carroll: Dan Sullivan’s, Teahan’s Favorite & Riding On A Load Of Hay (Polkas) – from the album A Friend Indeed. (Riding on a Load of Hay starts at time 1:57 in this recording.)
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.
Play from the Dots
Sets
Examples of sets that include this tune.
- Riding on a Load of Hay / Maggie in the Woods
- Riding on a Load of Hay / The Murroe Polka
- Ger the Rigger / Riding On a Load of Hay / Freeount Polka
References and Resources
For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.
- More Recordings
- Video – Ryan Foxley: Riding on a Load of Hay – played as a slow reel; mandolin with guitar. From the album Follow the Plow.
- Video – Good Company: Ger the Rigger/Riding On a Load of Hay/Freeount Polka – from the album Rose in the Heather. (Riding on a Load of Hay starts at time 1:32 in this recording.)
- Books
- Lessons
- Lesson – Aidan Crossey (The Irish Mandolin): Riding On A Load Of Hay – a polka in E Dorian tabbed for mandolin and played by Aidan Crossey – with tablature in video
- Lesson – Pickin’ Lessons: Riding On A Load Of Hay: Mandolin Lesson – video lesson (Link for full lesson and tab is included in the video comments.)
- Lesson – Pickin’ Lessons: Riding On A Load Of Hay: Banjo Lesson – video lesson for 5-string banjo. (Link for full lesson and tab is included in the video comments.)
- Additional Resources
- Article – Jonathan Lay (TrailJams): Dorian, Mixolydian, Oh My: Modes in a Nutshell
- Webpage – The Session: Riding on a Load of Hay (Polka) – crowdsourced sheet music, comments, and other information.