Willie Coleman’s

Jig, G, traditional Irish
Also known as Willy Coleman’s; Willie Coleman’s Jig

Willie Coleman’s is a strong and cheerful Irish jig. The tune gets its name from fiddler Willie Coleman of County Sligo, Ireland. The South Sligo region that was his home is sometimes called “Coleman Country” in recognition of its most famous fiddler, Michael Coleman, and his musical family.

Recordings

• Video – Kevin Burke and Mícheál O’Domhnaill: Paddy’s Return / Willy Coleman’s / Up In The Air – from the album Portland. (Willie Coleman’s starts at time 1:07 in this recording.)
•  Video – Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann: Willie Coleman’s – session recording, from the album Foinn Seisiún 2: Traditional Irish Session Tunes
• Video – Matt Molloy: Willie Coleman’s / Pull The Knife And Stick It Again (Jigs) – played on flute (Matt Molloy) with guitar (Dónal Lunny). From the album Matt Molloy.

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.

• Tatter Jack’s Jig Set: Tatter Jack Walsh (D Mixolydian) / The Rambling Pitchfork (D) / Willie Coleman’s (G)
• Paddy’s Return Jig Set: Paddy’s Return (Kitty Lie Over, D) / The Rollicking Boys of Tandragee (Em) / Willie Coleman’s (G)
• Rollicking Boys of Tandragee / Willie Coleman’s / Luachrachán’s Jig
• Donnybrook Fair / Rambling Pitchfork / Willie Coleman’s
• Rose in the Heather / Willie Coleman’s / Sliabh Russell
• Paddy’s Return (Kitty Lie Over) / Willie Coleman’s / Up in the Air

References and Resources

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

• More Recordings
  • Video – Banna De Dhá: Willie Coleman’s Jig / The Mooncoin / The Carraroe – from the album Band of Two. Banna De Dhá consists of Tom Morley & Hazel Ketchum.
  • Video – John Whelan: Willy Coleman’s /Mooncoin / Carraroe – from the album Celtic Roots -Spirit Of Dance
  • Video – Shane Farrell: Willie Coleman’s Jig – solo tenor banjo
  • Video – Tunes From Doolin (Charles Monod): Willie Coleman’s (Jig) | Irish Music Tunes on Concertina – solo concertina
• Books
  • Book – Foinn Seisiún, Volume 2 — Published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
  • Book & Audio – Grey Larsen: Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (also available from the author’s website)
  • Book & Audio – Matt & Shannon Heaton: In Harmony 
  • Book & Audio – Stephen Ducke: Irish Music – 400 Traditional Tunes
  • Book – Randy Miller and Jack Perron: Irish Traditional Fiddle Music
  • Book – Susan Songer with Clyde Curley: The Portland Collection, Volume 2 – Contra Dance Music in the Pacific Northwest
• Lessons
  • Lesson – Shannon Heaton: Willie Coleman’s [Jig] – Tune of the Month with Shannon Heaton – video of the tune taught phrase-by-phrase; played on flute.
  • Lesson – Michael Eskin: TradLessons.com – Willie Coleman’s (Anglo Concertina) – video demonstration of the tune played fast and slow on Anglo concertina
  • Lesson – Hatao (hatao’s Irish tune of the day): 092 Willie Coleman’s Jig (Double Jig, G Ioniian) – the tune played on flute, with and without backing. Sheet music displayed in video.
  • Lesson – TinWhistler: Tin whistle tutorial: Willie Coleman’s Jig – video of tin whistle and on-screen sheet music with tablature for tin whistle
• Additional Resources
  • Web page – The Session: Willie Coleman’s (Jig) – crowdsourced sheet music, comments, and more
  • Web page – Traditional Tune Archive: Willie Coleman’s Jig – sheet music and archival information about the tune