"The Irish Washerwoman" is a traditional jig known to
have been played throughout the British Isles and in
North America. Although usually considered an Irish
tune, some scholars claim that it is English in origin,
derived from the seventeenth-century tune
"Dargason".
This jig was incorporated as the first movement of the
Irish Suite, a collection of traditional tunes arranged
for orchestra by American composer Leroy Anderson in
1946.
The lyrics are: When I was at home I was me...(+)
"The Irish Washerwoman" is a traditional jig known to
have been played throughout the British Isles and in
North America. Although usually considered an Irish
tune, some scholars claim that it is English in origin,
derived from the seventeenth-century tune
"Dargason".
This jig was incorporated as the first movement of the
Irish Suite, a collection of traditional tunes arranged
for orchestra by American composer Leroy Anderson in
1946.
The lyrics are: When I was at home I was merry and
frisky, my dad kept a pig and my mother sold whisky, my
uncle was rich, but never would by aisey Till I was
enlisted by Corporal Casey. Och! rub a dub, row de dow,
Corporal Casey, my dear little Shelah, I thought would
run crazy, when I trudged away with tough Corporal
Casey. I marched from Kilkenny, and, as I was thinking
on Shelah, my heart in my bosom was sinking, but soon I
was forced to look fresh as a daisy, for fear of a
drubbing from Corporal Casey.
Och! rub a dub, row de dow, Corporal Casey! The devil
go with him, I ne'er could be lazy, he struck my shirts
so, ould Corporal Casey. We went into battle, I took
the blows fairly that fell on my pate, but they
bothered me rarely, and who should the first be that
dropped, why, and please ye, it was my good friend,
honest Corporal Casey. Och! rub a dub, row de dow,
Corporal Casey! Thinks I you are quiet, and I shall be
aisey, So eight years I fought without Corporal Casey..
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Irish_Washerwoman).<
br>
Although originally written for Traditional Irish
instruments, I created this Interpretation of "The
Irish Washerwoman" Jig for Flute, Oboe & Celtic or
Concert (Pedal) Harp.