Sheebeg and Sheemore – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 43

This is one of those Irish melodies that I have long recognized, but didn’t really know the origins of it. It’s a beautiful tune, and from what I have been told, it tells a story of the big people (us), and the little people (leprechauns, fairies, and hobgoblins.) As it turns out, it was written by Carolan, the most celebrated harpist minstrel in the recent history of Ireland – at least that I’m aware of. It’s a beautiful melody, and I hope that you enjoy the version that Steve Eulberg (on lap dulcimer) and I whipped up for you.

The History of Sheebeg and Sheemore from Contemplator.com

This tune is said to be the first tune Carolan composed. After leaving Alderford at the age of 21, Carolan stopped at Squire Reynold’s house at Lough Scur. Mr. Reynolds, who had been a harper and poet himself, was not apparently impressed by Carolan’s musical abilities and asked him if he composed. When Carolan replied he did not, Squire Reynolds remarked he “might make a better hand of his tongue than of his fingers.” Reynolds planned to leave a few days and suggested Carolan make a tune out of a local legend of a “battle between the kings of the gentry [fairies].” (O’Sullivan, Vol. 2, p. 123) Upon his return Carolan had composed this tune.

In an account of his visit to the area in 1828, Edward O’Reilly tells of two ranges of hills. On the highest part of one of the ranges “is one of those ancient conical heaps of stones and earth called motes or raths, so common in this country, and which the popular voices says are inhabited by the Daoine Maithe, the “Good People”, which the country people dare not venture to call by the name of fairies. This mote, and the mountain on which it stands, are much celebrated in the popular poems and songs of Ireland under the name of Sigh Mor. ” (O’Reilly quoted in Sullivan, Vol. 2, p. 123) On the other range, near Squire Reynold’s home was another mote, Sigh beg which was also reputed inhabited by fairies. According to local tales during the period in which Fionn Mac Cubhail and Fianna Eirionn were defeated, one of Fionn’s heroes (perhaps Fionn himself), who was killed, was entombed in Sigh beg and a warrior of the other side was buried in Sigh mor. The battle of the two continued to be carried out by the immortals of Sig beg and Sig mor.

English Translation of Lyrics

FAIRY HILLS

Long long ago in this ancient land

A battle took place where two hills now stand
And on the plain there lay the slain
For neither the battle was won.

2. So the bard did sing of these fairy hills
Where bloom the white flowers and daffodils
One big one small Si Bheag Si Mhor
And never the battle is won.

3. Beneath these hills great heroes lie
Of the Red Branch Knights and their ancient foe
In still of night the immortals fight
But never the battle is won.

4. And so the harper was told these fairy tales
Of these fairy hills of the ancient Gaels
One big one small Si Bheag Si Mhor
And never the battle is won.

5. Twas after the battle the prophet foretold
No rest would be found for these warriors bold
Till they unite and fight one common foe
And then would the battle be won.

6. So then the harper wrote of these fairy hills
Where bloom the white flowers and daffodils
One big one small Si Bheag Si Mhor
And never the battle is won