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I vote that this is some regional variation of Speed the Plough…it’s very close!
This tune is also called Cronin’s or Tom Billy’s (according to thesession.org)?
Btw Doug, there seems to be a popular other tune called "Speed the Plow" too!
(talk about tune name confusion, sigh)
Edited by - NCnotes on 01/19/2026 15:30:01
This is the one I know, more or less. youtu.be/x84wR2esREU?si=iK0_igY2hm_ODgJy
Its in "Ryan's" about like that.
Nice playing Pete! Most definitely is 'Speed the Plow', at least the tune that is called that in Irish trad.
AKA Cronins AKA Tom Billy's
It's not related in any obvious way to John Salyer's "Speed the Plow" in A, slippery-hill.com/content/speed-plow-0
There is a gussied-up version of Salyer's tune, which I've played about a million times with the Barn Owl Band.
quote:
Originally posted by JonDNice playing Pete! Most definitely is 'Speed the Plow', at least the tune that is called that in Irish trad.
AKA Cronins AKA Tom Billy's
It's not related in any obvious way to John Salyer's "Speed the Plow" in A, slippery-hill.com/content/speed-plow-0
There is a gussied-up version of Salyer's tune, which I've played about a million times with the Barn Owl Band.
LOL... I get into the same "spot" with the folks I play with - they play Speed the Plow" and I always ask "what is that tuen?". When they tell me, I reply: "that's not the same one I play".
I have come to recognize where the confusion may come from. The title of the tuen we know (pointing to) is actually "The Speed OF the Plow" . And that might help explain /resolve the the confusion. Speed of the Plow is a John Salyer tune.
I play "Speed of the Plow" - and I've made a commitment to my session mates to learn "Speed the Plow".
Edited by - tonyelder on 01/19/2026 16:03:31
The one I know (sort of) is on pg. 41 of "Ryan's," which dates it to at least 1883. There are several versions from Canada on YouTube, from King Ganam and from Cape Breton, and Charlie Walden plays a "teaching" version.
The John Salyer tune he called "Speed of the Plow," and like several of his tunes isn't the same as other similarly named tunes. Here played by Walt and Clare: youtu.be/YIDfx2mn6aQ?si=57gNUNpc2xwsMCSX
Sounds familiar that I've heard in set at at sessions; as far as name I always think of the reference "Gan Ainm" ![]()
Or sometimes set of reels (or jigs), goes by name of first tune in set... the other ones are referred to as "the third one in the set" of reels; "the one that's after" that named tune; or "the one that's in between" the two other tunes.
Barry Foy's book "Field Guide to Irish Music Session" (good book), mentions something about session players can either use precious limited memory to store names... or store tunes; they choose latter.
Nice tune, setting and playing.
I thought I saw several YouTubes of Morris sides dancing to this tune, but this is all I find now: youtu.be/UWeN8fibpoI?si=__paF7TJEjbHKqPe
There are also examples from a 1906 Victor record with orchestra to the Quebe sisters (who apparently played it as part of a medley).
quote:
Originally posted by pete_fiddleHa Ha...... Ai says it is "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" ....Lol... Maybe it's my playing?
But to me "Speed The Plough" is an English Morris tune. Not an Irish reel.
Catlin Warbelow showed me an app on her phone, that did a really good job for Irish tunes, (like Shazam) for hearing what's being played and figuring the name; not just to preexisting registered recording library; but live playing.
We had a good laugh though, as we took it around to other jam rooms at hotel; it sucked at OT and cajun. As well as some of my versions Irish tunes but with more OT setting/feel (esp for CH banjo).
One of my favorite Speed the Plows is by Gaither Carlton. Total class...
slippery-hill.com/content/speed-plow-3
It sounds very Irish. It's kinda funny that Speed the Plough is so Irish, and then Speed OF the PLOW is so different...lol. Speed of the Plow sounds really like OT American to me...it seems Speed is used as an adjectival, I guess...tell me if my grammar is off base here...where in the Irish case, Speed seems to indicate a command...like, hurry up the plowing. In the American OT case it just seems more descriptive...the speed of the Plow...like describing how much land can be plowed at whatever speed. I guess none of that is important...lol...it just seems funny to me that the titles are so close, but not quite the same. I've played Speed of the Plow and have heard the name Speed the Plough but never thought of the grammatical difference. The musical difference is obvious too. Well that's all...just thinking aloud here.
"Speed the Plow" apparently goes back to about 1800, and I read that the title is shortened from "God speed the Plow," that is, kind of a blessing for a good farming season. Can't remember if its Irish or English, I think English, written for a stage production. The Fiddlers Companion has a long article about the tune(s) if you're really curious: ibiblio.org/fiddlers/SPA_SPL.htm
John Salyer is very mysterious to me.
Edited by - DougD on 01/20/2026 15:17:06
Here is the version of 'Speed the Plow' I'm most familiar with, a tune in A played here by Rhys Jones & friends
youtube.com/watch?v=esAZ3nNwu80
It does seem to be related to Salyer's 'Speed of the Plow'.
But, it doesn't share very much with the other A tune called Speed the Plow (the one that dates from 1800s) -- or the tune Pete played and calls Tom Billy's.
Tune names, can't live with em, can't live without em!
quote:
Originally posted by ShawnCraverSpeed the Plough from 1785 (got it on tunearch.org). A. Kuntz does great work there, making sure sources are solid etc. Some neat phrases in this I might steal.
While the OP's version has a much more Irish feel to it, this version looks a lot more English (or maybe originally Scottish).
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