The traditional Irish ballad in 3/4 time played on a three-string mountain dulcimer made of quilted maple by Bill Taylor and tuned a half step below the standard DAd.

The Rose of Aranmore

This Irish ballad was written in the mid-19th century by Robert Dwyer Joyce.  I play it on a 3-string mountain dulcimer made of quilted maple by Bill Taylor and tuned a half note below the standard DAd.

The Wind the Shakes the Barley

Welsh Medley: Y Deryn Pur/Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn/Cader Idris. I am playing a 3-string dulcimer made of cherry and redwood and tuned C#-G#-c#.

The first tune, translated as “The Pure Bird,” involves a man asking a dove to bring a message of love and forgiveness to the woman he loves. The second song, known in English as “Watching the White Wheat,” tells the supposedly true story of an unrequited love between a laborer and the daughter of a wealthy farm family.  She is obliged to marry another, so he leaves the village, only to return as she is dying from a broken heart. In the final song, which takes its name from a mountain in Wales, a man expresses nostalgia for the countryside of his childhood as he descends the mountain only to find his childhood home in shambles.

Welsh Medley: Y Deryn Pur/Bugeili'or Gwenith Gwyn/Cader Idris

An original composition played on a baritone dulcimette made of walnut and cedar by Ron Ewing and tuned G#D#g#. I originally called this tune "Hurry Up and Wait" but found that there is already another tune by that name.

One nice thing about playing originals is that no one can tell you you made a mistake! Ha!

What A Fine, Fine Feeling Being Free

The traditional Irish fiddle tune Rosin the Beau was used as the melody for many American songs, including this campaign song for Abraham Lincoln.  The dulcimer I am playing is a Blue Lion IC, whose back you see in the picture.

Lincoln And Liberty Too

Skye Boat Song on a mountain dulcimer.  Based on an arrangement by Ron Beardslee.  Played on a cherry/redwood dulcimer made by Terry McCafferty and tuned DAd.

Skye Boat Song

Turlough O'Carolan's (1670-1738)"Planxty Hewlett" played on a small octave dulcimer made by Ron Ewing and tuned DAd.

Planxty Hewlett

I play and sing (in English) the traditional Yiddish lullaby on an octave mountain dulcimer made by Ron Ewing.

Rozhinkes mit Mandlen (Raisins and Almonds)

The music for this 19th-century ballad commemorating the Irish Rebellion of 1798 was written by Arthur Warren Darley.  I am playing a 3-string mountain dulcimer made by Terry McCafferty and tuned DAd.

The Boys of Wexford

The Rose of Allendale, written by Charles Jefferys and Sidney Nelson, was first published in 1833. I am playing it on a mountain dulcimer made of cherry and redwood by Terry McCafferty and tuned CGc.

The Rose of Allendale

This melody was written by Jonathan E. Spilman in 1837 to accompany the Robert Burns poem of 1791.  I am playing a three-stringed mountain dulcimer made by Terry McCafferty of cherry and redwood and tuned DAd.  I play the song twice in D and then modulate to G.

Flow Gently, Sweet Afton

A traditional Irish tune I found in O'Neill's Music of Ireland and have never heard before.  The Irish title is "Is Mo Shaith Aon Cheile Amhain."  I am playing a 3-stringed mountain dulcimer made by Terry McCafferty of cherry and redwood and tuned Eb Bb Eb.

One Wife is Enough for Me

An educator and folk/roots music enthusiast living the good life in Northern California.

Dusty Turtle

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