Si bheag and Si mhor
Notation:
Standard Notation
ABC Notation
Accomp. Notation
Mandolin Tablature
Violin Tablature
legacy / instrumental
PDF Files:
--- choose file type ---
Standard Notation
Accomp. Notation
Mandolin Tablature
Violin Tablature
Tune Sheet
O'Carolan
Play
MIDI
Play
the audio
Transcription: by Darryl D. Bush
Also known as "Sidh Beag Agus Sidh Mor", "Sheebag, Sheemore", “Sheebeg and Sheemore”<br> and other corruptions. The air, according to O'Sullivan (1958) and tradition, was probably <br> the first composed by O'Carolan. The title of the air often appears as “Sheebag, Sheemore”<br> an Englished version of the original Gaelic "Si Bheag, Si Mhor" which means<br> "little faerie, big faerie,” but it has been suggested that Si is derived from the<br> medieval Irish siod, meaning "fairy hill" or "fairy mound;" thus the title may also<br> refer to "big fairy hill, little fairy hill".<br> Squire George Reynolds of Lough Scur at Letterfain, Co. Leitrim (himself a harper and poet).<br> It is said that Carolan was at this time only moderately skilled at the harp and the Squire<br> advised him to direct his talents to composing, as he “might make a better fist of his<br> tongue than his fingers”. It is likely this tune was Carolan’s first attempt at composition.<br> His inspiration for this tune was a story told to him by Reyonolds about Si Bheag and Si Mhor,<br> two ranges of hills near Lough Scur, that according to local lore were the seats of two<br> groups of fairies of opposing disposition. The these hosts engaged in a great battle, in<br> which Finn McCool and his Fianna were defeated. Some versions of the legend relate that the<br> mounds were topped by ancient ruins, with fairy castles underneath where heros were entombed<br> after the battle between the two rivals.<br> I play this in a medley with<br> "The Spanish Cloak"<br> in the Celtic section.<br>
Click
here
for a full page view.