The Enchanted White Duck

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History

is nothing in the English air that in the least resembles our Irish tune.

versions of the words come very close to the verse I give here. But there

of the Folk-Song Soc.", Vol. II, p. 295) corresponds with this, and some

The English folk-tale called "The Story of Orange" (for which see "Journ.

strong hold of my childhood fancy.

memory except the following weird little fragment with its tune, which took

singing, sometimes chanting in a monotone: but it has all faded from my

Biddy Hickey used to tell the whole story, sometimes reciting, sometimes

and in this disguise he is killed and eaten by his own family. Our servant

A little boy is changed by draoidheacht or enchantment into a white duck,

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Song One title Only 1 transcription Has some stepwise movement major A-sharp 6/8 Has history text No chords explore more...

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X:108
T:The Enchanted White Duck
R:song
B:Joyce, P. W.; "Old Irish Folk Music and Songs"
H:  A little boy is changed by draoidheacht or enchantment into a white duck,
H:and in this disguise he is killed and eaten by his own family.  Our servant
H:Biddy Hickey used to tell the whole story, sometimes reciting, sometimes
H:singing, sometimes chanting in a monotone: but it has all faded from my
H:memory except the following weird little fragment with its tune, which took
H:strong hold of my childhood fancy.
H:  The English folk-tale called "The Story of Orange" (for which see "Journ.
H:of the Folk-Song Soc.", Vol. II, p. 295) corresponds with this, and some
H:versions of the words come very close to the verse I give here.  But there
H:is nothing in the English air that in the least resembles our Irish tune.
W:My mamma cut me and put me in the pot;
W:My dada said I was purty and fat;
W:My three little sisters they picked my small bones
W:And buried them under the marble stones.
L:1/8
M:6/8
Z:Allan Garvin
K:Bb
G/A/|B3 G A F|D G G G2 G/A/|B3 A G F|D F F F2 D|
G G A B B c|d e d d2 c|B A G D =E F|G2 G G2||

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