Tag Archives: Irish Polka
Ger the Rigger (A)
This polka, “Ger the Rigger,” also known as âJer The Rigger,â will have a soft âgâ rather than a hard one. It seems to be named for âGerald,â âGerry,â âJerry,â or âJeremiahâ who was, we can assume, some sort of rigger of renown â that is, one who engages in cable hoisting on land or on […]
Egan’s Polka (D)
“Egan’s Polka” Â is another great tune for teaching polkas â though I have read that players in Glasgow sessions wonât play it. Â It is a Kerry polka, and also goes by the name “The Kerry Polka” — as do a number of different Kerry polkas. Â Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is even more confusion about the name […]
Sean Ryan’s Polka (D)
As I mention now and then, tunes named after people usually indicate simply that the person named was fond of playing the tune. At times, however, it is an accurate attribution.  I believe this polka was composed by the prolific composer and fiddle player Sean Ryan (1919-1985) from Nenagh, co. Tipperary, and first cousin of Paddy OâBrien (1922-1991) […]
Breeches Full of Stitches (A)
The polka “Breeches Full of Stitches” is a great tune for beginners, or those first learning Irish polkas. Some people play this in G, but Kevin Burke plays it in A Ionian.  So, here itâs in A Ionian. Martin Hayes plays this in his typical slow, deeply emotional way on his first album Martin Hayes […]
Ballydesmond Polkas (Ador)
The  three Ballydesmond Polkas can be found on a number of recordings and websites. The order and numbering given here is from the album entitled The Star Above the Garter, by Denis Murphy (1910-1974) and Julia Clifford (1914â1997), siblings from Sliabh Luachra.  The area called Sliabh Luachra (pronounced Schleeav-lokhra, with the âkhâ as that middle-of-the-mouth […]
Maggie in the Woods (G)
“Maggie in the Woods” is a popular two-part polka, similar to âThe Scartaglen Polkaâ (also in G), though the latter has three parts. There are some common lyrics to this polka: Â If I met Maggie in the wood / I would kiss her if I could / thatâs the thing would do her good / […]
Humours of Bahrain (G)
This is a polka written by the prolific tune-composer and accordion player Paddy OâBrien (1922-1991) of Nenagh, co. Tipperary (pictured right). Â The name is common enough, and so don’t confuse our man here with others, such as the other Paddy O’Brien (b. 1945) from Castlebarnagh, co. Offaly, who also plays a two-row button accordion. The […]