Drowsy Maggie is the Irish tune that I think when I want to play a raucous breakdown of the Irish persuasion. Really there’s nothing drowsy about it. The first part is rowdy and rolling in Em, and the second part is bouncy and in the key of D. Overall, it’s an interesting tune that’s lots of fun to play.
As a side note, I think I am going to play more Irish tunes for the next few days in honor of Saint Patty’s day. I’m not going to commit to playing all Irish tunes for the next 9 days. I am still going to leave myself open to the inspiration of the day, but I expect to be playing a little more of the green this next week.
I recorded this tune at Intricate Icings, the fanciest wedding cake artist in the Denver area. They created the cakes for the Marie Antoinette photo shoot that I helped out with on Wednesday.
Drowsy Maggie according to the Fiddler’s Companion
DROWSY/DROUSY/DROWSIE MAGGIE [1] (Mairgreadin Taimeac/Suantac). AKA and see “Sleepy Maggy/Maggie,” “Sleeping Moggie,” “Sleepy Moggie,” “Pegg in the Settle.” Irish, Reel. E Dorian or E Minor (‘A’ part) & D Major (‘B’ part). Standard tuning. AB (Cranitch, Feldman & O’Doherty/Byrne, Flaherty, Martin & Hughes, Mulvihill, O’Malley, O’Neill/1850 & 1001, Spandaro, Tubridy): AAB (Cranford/Holland, Kennedy, Roche, Raven): AA’B (Vallely): ABB’ (Feldman & O’Doherty/Doherty, O’Neill/Krassen): AABB (Brody, Phillips): AABB’ (Sweet): AA’BB’ (Harker/Rafferty, Reiner): AA’BC (Songer): ABCE (Breathnach). A very common reel, the basic form of which is known to most Irish traditional musicians. There is a version of “Drowsy Maggie” particular to County Donegal, where, again, it is a popular reel. A third part to the tune is sometimes played that was first recorded in 1938 by Frank O’Higgins (see abc’s below). Liz Carroll, in the notes to her album “A Friend Indeed,” says the same third part was composed by the famous accordion player Joe Cooley, but in view of the fact that he would have been 14 at the time of O’Higgins’ recording, this seems unlikely. Breathnach’s source, Michael “The Master” McDermott (d. 1947), a schoolteacher and fiddler from Pomeroy and Carrigmore, County Tyrone, had two additional parts than the usual two-part setting; the first was similar to O’Higgins, while the fourth is a variation on the third. See also the related “Lady’s Bonnet.”
Drowsy Maggie is one of the local favorites, and somebody drags it out at nearly every Irish session. Typically, the session leader will start it off at a fairly slow tempo, and then each repeat will be just a bit faster — until only one fiddler is left playing. A fun competition (which, thanks to my use of the “metronome trick”, I sometimes win). I heard some licks in your version that I am going to try to incorporate.
Interesting that you can see the reflection of the person holding the video camera. That person is doing a remarkably good job of holding it steady and framing the shot well, but you can see some movement. You might want to consider carrying a monopod to this sort of shoot, since it makes it *much* easier to steady the camera. Failing that, for less than a dollar, you can get a 1/4-inch x 20 TPI eye-bolt and some string, which makes a really good stabilizer that is very portable (I keep one in my camera case for just that sort of use when I am not carrying my tripod or monopod). Be sure to use a nut (or lock two nuts together) to limit how far the eye-bolt will screw in.
Drowsy Maggie is definitely a fun tune to play. I haven’t every played that game with it, but it does sound like a kick. I definitely use a metronome to practice speeding up my tunes as well. Good eye on noticing the reflection of the videographer. Making a human videographer part of the experience was part of the fun for me. It gave me an excuse to involve someone else in my journey. 😉 Have a great day and Fiddle on!
Excellent musical performance !
What are the original or oldest known lyrics to Drowsy Maggie?
Hi Raven,
I have only known Drowsy Maggie as a Reel, not as a song. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone has written lyrics to it, but I’m not aware of any.
Thanks,
Vi