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Eight-Bell Jigs

The jigs here come from Ireland, Scotland, and – yes – America (more in a bit)!

They usually are in 6/8 or 9/8, though that’s not the only possibility. Wrong Foot Forward (by the band Flook) is in 7/8, presumably for the purpose of tangling up the dancers’ feet.

Other than those two, the others here are fairly normal. Well, except for “Grizzly’s Peak”, which contains a joke that we’ll leave for you to figure out.

Banish Misfortune – Eight handbells

Don’t you wish you could just play a song and make all the ills of your world go away? Here it is (of course, some of the other title for this tune are quite interesting…)! Alternate Titles: Díbir Anachain Díbir Mí-Ádh The Horse Under The Stairs The Humours Of Mullinafauna The Little Bag Of Meal …

Barney Brannigan – Eight handbells

Historically, slip jigs (with three beats per measure) have been danced by the ladies after some female dancers showed the men they had footwork just as incredible as the men did! Alternate titles: ‘Twas On A Windy Night A New Gig Blewitt’s Jig Charming Judy Brallahan Master Tailor’s Irish Lilt Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: …

Calliope House – Eight handbells

We can imagine a line of Irish dancers showing off their skills to the music from a brilliant steam-driven calliope with this tune! Our thanks go to David Richardson and Gilderoy House for granting permission to create this arrangement. Alternate titles: Calliope Horse Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US …

Chloe’s Passion – Eight handbells

Dr. Angus MacDonald is a piper and folk musician who, in real life, is a medical doctor in Scotland. Music clearly goes with science, and we are pleased to have received permission from Dr. MacDonald to offer this arrangement. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ …

Grizzly’s Peak – Eight handbells

Here’s an Irish-American jig that you might happen to know by a different name… Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US AGO Alzheimer’s Benefit Concert with Angela Kraft Cross, January 23, 2015 Concert with Philadelphia Bronze, May 30, 2015 Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you …

Hardiman the Fiddler – Eight handbells

We can see the fiddler having a great time leading the dancers ever faster and faster as the celebration goes on! Alternate Titles: (for some reason, there apparently aren’t any…) Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US This arrangement is also included in Larry and …

Jim Ward’s Jig – Eight handbells

Jimmy Ward was a tremendously skilled Irish banjo player who wrote this tune. We think you’ll have a lot of fun playing it! Alternate Titles: An Chéad Phunnann Clare, The Clare The First Sheaf Jimmy Ward’s Favourite Port Shéamus Mhic A Bháird Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based …

Morrison’s Jig – Eight handbells

The story of Morrison’s Jig was that it was a tune composed by Tom Carmondy, and that his fiddler friend Morrison played/recorded it for him. You’ll hear the fiddle playing the repeated motifs in the melody… dance the night away! Alternate Titles: Cry Of The Celtic Tom Carmondy’s Favorite Port Ui Mhuirgheasa The Stick Across …

The Blarney Pilgrim – Eight handbells

Kissing the Blarney Stone can be a somewhat scary experience. You climb to the top of Blarney Castle… easy. You lie down across the edge of the parapet… probably not easy. You bend downward below the level of the wall’s edge to kiss the stone, upside down… definitely not easy. And then you return to …

The Butterfly – Eight handbells

Here’s our first Irish slip jig arrangement! It turns out that this is one of the most popular – if not the most popular – slip jigs of all! We hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we have. Alternate Titles: Barney’s Goat The Bug The Butterfly Gig Eitil Im Fiona Im Ag Eitilt Kick …

The Foxhunter’s Jig – Eight handbells

We’d like to hope that the fox gets to dance too (rather than becoming someone’s trophy)! Alternate titles: Nead A Lachan Sa Mhuta Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies …

The Humours of Whiskey – Eight handbells

We’re not entirely certain as to which definition of “humour” applies, but perhaps the most apt is “state of mind” or “disposition”. Our arrangement of this happy jig comes with some fun twists (no pun intended…) – and quite possibly is a bit more challenging for a quartet of two-bell ringers than a duet of …

The Kesh – Eight handbells

This Irish jig will have you dancing in no time! Alternate titles: The Castle Kerrigan’s The Kincora The Mountaineers’ March Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell …

The Swaggering Jig – Eight handbells

No, we don’t actually know what the “swaggering” in the title is about… but we can imagine happily walking arm in arm with friends on a nice night out! Oh… and this includes an optional return-to-the-beginning in case your Irish dancers need more music! Alternate Titles: Bellaghy Fair Give Us A Drink Of Water The …

The Whinny Hills of Leitrim – Eight handbells

Leitrim (pronounced LEE-trim) is in the north of Ireland. You can imagine the lovely green hills and the beautiful scenery! Alternate Titles: Cnoic Aiteannach Liadroma Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US This arrangement is also included in Larry and Carla’s Eight-Bell Jig Collection. Purchasing …

Tripping Up the Stairs – Eight handbells

This Irish jig isn’t about falling down (well, or *up*) – it’s about fast footwork! Alternate titles: The Cocoon The Plains of Kilkorkery The Pride of Kildare Roscabury Sacho’s The Syracuse Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission …

Wrong Foot Forward – Eight handbells

We love the way this slip jig by Sarah Allen and Brian Finnegan of “Flook” plays! The challenge: It’s in 7/8 – you can imagine how it might confuse the dancers! Alternate Titles: (for some reason, there apparently aren’t any…) Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: …

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