Jig, D Mixolydian, Traditional Irish
TrailJams Tune of the Week for November 14, 2021; November 17, 2024
This three part jig is one of the most popularly-played of traditional Irish tunes.
Thousands of people have made a pilgrimage of sorts to visit Blarney Castle and to kiss the Blarney Stone. The town of Blarney, with its famous castle and stone, are in County Cork, Ireland. Those who kiss the Blarney Stone are said to receive the “gift of blarney,” that is, an eloquence in speaking, persuading, and storytelling.
Recordings
- Audio – Georgia Nettleton: Blarney Pilgrim from The Blarney Pilgrim – Irish Jig Duet or Trio Sheet Music
- Video – Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann: Blarney Pilgrim from the album Foinn Seisiún 1: Traditional Irish Session Tunes
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.
About the chords in this arrangement: “D5” designates a D chord in which only the root and fifth notes in the chord are played, and the third is omitted. So, a D5 chord consists of D and A. Because the third is omitted, the chord is neither major nor minor. (See the “Alternative Chords” section below for a different set of chords to accompany this tune.)
Play-along Tracks
Alternative Chords
Here is an alternative version of chords to accompany the tune.
(A Part)
G – | D – | C – | G D | G – | D – | C | D
(B Part)
G – | D G | G – | D G | C – | D Em | Em D | C
(C Part)
D G | D – | G – | G – | D G | D – | G – | C D
Sets
Examples of sets that include this tune.
- Bog Mud & Blarney Jig Set: The Geese in the Bog (C) / Scatter the Mud (A Dorian) / The Blarney Pilgrim (D Mixolydian)
- Blarney Pilgrim Jig Set: The Blarney Pilgrim / Jimmy Ward’s / Gander in the Pratie Hole
The Star Above the Garter / The Blarney Pilgrim - Merrily Kissed The Quaker / Blarney Pilgrim
- Blarney Pilgrim / Gander In The Pratie Hole
References and Resources
For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.
- More Recordings
- Video – Blarney Pilgrims: Blarney Pilgrim/Garrett Barry’s Jig/Banish Misfortune. From the album Blarney Pilgrims, Olde Day Again.
- Video – Rose in the Heather: Blarney Pilgrim & Atholl Highlanders Jigs – live band performance, Portland, Oregon.
- Books
- Lessons
- Video – Kiana June: The Blarney Pilgrim fiddle tutorial (partial)
- Video – Red Desert Fiddle: Blarney Pilgrim (Jig) fiddle tutorial
- Video – Red Desert Fiddle: Blarney Pilgrim Slow Playalong
- Video – MandoLessons (Baron Collins-Hill): The Blarney Pilgrim mandolin tutorial with tabs, chords, and audio tracks.
- Other Resources